Boys' Final: Wales 1-3 Germany

 Hot favourites Wales fell at the last hurdle today as Germany used all their tournament nous to rack up a historic victory. Germany looked solid from the start. Giovanni in goal radiated confidence to the whole team and Emilio up front never gave the Welsh defenders a moment of peace. Adam was strong in midfield and captain Gianmarco was... well, he played like a captain. Wales almost took the lead in the first period but Gabriel's header was just too high. Ashton made no mistake for Germany though: 1-0.

In period 2, Tiago came out of goal and transformed the welsh attack, adding energy and penetration and setting up Daniele for an equaliser... but the shot was blocked and the teams headed into the last period.

Germany struck again. Kevin played a pass to Emilio and he shot home to make it 2-0. But Vittorio wasn't giving up easily and he drove home an unstoppable shot to make it 2-1. Would this be Argentina-France all over again? Almost... and Ryan did make a save from Gianmarco that rivaled the save of Martinez for Argentina and left the Welsh with a chance to get back into the game. But, alas for them, Gianmarco got another chance and this time Ryan couldn't quite keep out the close-range header.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Emilio E 4, Carlo C 3, Tiago 3, Ryan 2, Giovanni Z 2, Adam 1, Kevin 1, Tommaso 1, Vittorio 1, Gabriele 1, Daniele 1, Gianmarco 1  

Third Place Final: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon

 A closely-contested encounter in today's antipasto. Rocco scored the game's only goal and sent a challenge to Gianmarco et al for the Top Scorer Award. All to play for in today's final!

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Carlo 5, Rocco 3, Patrick 3, Francesco 2, Aron 2, Leo 2, Marco 2, Lorenzo 2

ACLI League: Ambrit 10-4 Santa Caterina

 The unfortunate visitors made their lives difficult fromthe off, gifting an own goal to their hosts after just 6' of play. Ambrit pressed home their advantage and Antonio was well  positioned to bundle a second goal over the line and Vittorio made it 3-0 after 15'. Daniel coverted Lorenzo's assist before S. Caterina pulled two goals back just before the break.

The visitors came back out for the second half fully intending to get back into the game. But Ambrit weren't about to allow that. Cameron picked out Lorenzo: 5-2; Lorenzo picked out Dylan: 6-2; Cameron made it 7 and Dylan made it 8. The teams swapped four more goals before the end, Vittorio and Lorenzo scoring for Ambrit.

TEAM: Trym, Carlo, Vittorio, Dylan, Cameron, Antonio, Kevin, Daniele, Daniel, Lorenzo

Boys SF: Germany 3-1 Mexico

 Europe versus S. America and the Europeans progress to next Wednesday's final where they face hot favourites, Wales. Gianmarco put his team ahead in period 1 with a penalty and Adam made it 2-0 in period 2. Rocco pulled a goal back and Leo stuck a shot low and hard just past the post as Mexico made a fight of it.

Gianmarco could have wrapped it all up in period 3 but his shot on the turn from close range was well saved by Giovanni P, but he did score minutes from the end off an Adam assist. 

BEST PLAYER POINTS:  Gianmarco 5, Giovanni Z 3, Francesco 2, Nicola 1, Rocco 2, Leo 2, Trym 1, Adam 1, Emilio 1, Kevin 1, Giovanni P 1, Adam 1

CROAZIA CAMPIONE! Croazia 3-2 Malta

 La tanto attesa finale del torneo femminile, combattuta ed equilibrata, giocata a viso a aperto da tutte e due le formazioni, si è conclusa sul punteggio di 0-0 e si è risolta solamente ai calci di rigore. 

Il tempo di gioco ha visto due formazioni combattive, determinate e abbastanza organizzate. Malta forse ha prodotto qualcosina in più sul piano del palleggio, affidandosi alle ripartenze di Martina e Aurora, davvero molto pericolose quando avevano la palla al piede, ma poco precise al tiro. La Croazia, con il tipico atteggiamento avuto durante tutti i mondiali, ha aspettato e ha limitato gli avversari, grazie a un buon blocco difensivo, oggi impersonato egregiamente da Ella e dall'eroina della giornata Alessia. Quest'ultima è stata infatti protagonista assoluta, prima neutralizzando un colpo di testa ravvicinato di Aurora nei minuti finali, poi ai rigori, ipnotizzando le avversarie e mostrando una sorprendente rapidità nell'intuire il tiro della calciatrice di turno.

Vince dunque la Croazia il primo intramural stagionale, in attesa di conoscere le squadre che usciranno dal Calciomercato di gennaio.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Alessia 5, Ella 4, Aurora R 3, Martina 3, Naila 2, Lubiana 1, Clara 1, Lavinia 1, Alessandra 1, Clotilde 1.

Boys SF: Wales 2-1 Cameroon

 The Welsh Dragon continued its regal march to the final with a deserved victory over Cameroon. Wales went 1-0 up when Vittorio blasted a free kick low towards the bottom corner; Daniel almost cleared the ball but it got past him and into the net. In period 2, Vittorio almost doubled the lead but Patrick made a great save and then saved again from Antonio's follow-up, pushing the ball onto the post and away. The applause for Patrick had barely died down when he disappointed the crowd, not dealing with a much easier shot from Tiago: 2-0. Cameroon upped the tempo for the last few minutes. Daniel forced a good save from Ryan and Lorenzo pulled a goal back, too little, too late.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Vittorio 5, Daniel 2, Daniele P 2, Lorenzo 2, Martino 2, Tiago 1, Gabriele 1, Ryan 1, Carlo C 1, Carlo T 1, Antonio F 1, Patrick 1, Louis 1

ACLI League: OMC 2-8 Ambrit

 Cameron got us off to a flying start today, with a well-struck shot that fizzed low off the wet pitch to put Ambrit 1-0 up after just 3 minutes. But the team didn't settle: possession was wasted, passes went awry, players were not ready to receive the ball. Ambrit paid the price and were hauled back to 1-1. 

But normal service was soon resumed. The introduction of Alberto to the key central midfield position stabilised things a little and the scoreline changed rapidly. A feathery touch from Emilio: 2-1; a neat one-two with Daniele and Alberto made it 3-1; two good assists from Oliver and Cameron + Daniel brought the total to five. A crazy own goal from midfield made it six, OMC pulled one back and Alberto and Dylan rounded things off.

Friendly: Ambrit 1 - 4 St Stephen's

 Ambrit competed well, especially in the first half. With the teams still at 0-0, Daniele hit the post but that was the signal for SSS to wake up. Two quick goals from Bertie (a tap in) and Giorgio (an unstoppable drive) allowed the older team to relax, but Adam had them on their toes again before half time when he pulled one back for the hosts.

The second half looked easier for SSS on the scoreboard but, on the field, it was an even contest right to the end.

TEAM: Tiago, Carlo, Leo, Michael, Kevin, Trym, Oliver, Gabriele, Adam, Daniele, Daniel

Remaining fixtures

 Wed Dec 14 WALES vs Cameroon (BOYS semi-final)

Thu Dec 15 MALTA vs CROATIA GIRLS FINAL

Fri Dec 16 Mexico vs Germany (BOYS semi-final)

Wed Dec 21 BOYS third place final 11.20

Wed Dec 21 BOYS FINAL 14.00

Germany 1-3 England

 England woke up! It must have been Clara in midfield, but suddenly Emilio's team played well. But not in time; England win and go out, Germany lose but go forward to a semi-final versus Mexico. First half goals today from Hugo and Adriano. Kevin played in Ashton for a second half goal for Germany and the Germans pressed hard for an equaliser. Both of today's top players were in fact on the losing team. But the shots that rained in on goal were wide or were saved by Adrian (an especially good save off a Matteo shot!). Captain Emilio topped off his side's win with a well-taken goal, cutting in off the right and sliding it past the hapless goalkeeper.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Adam 3, Ashton 3, Michael 2, Hugo 2, Kevin 2, Adrian 2, Matteo 1, Giovanni Z 1, Adriano 1, Oliver 1, Emilio 1, Gianmarco 1, Trym 1

ACLI League: Ambrit 3-3 Nomen

 After a morning of torrential rainfall, this was a match to warm the cockles of your heart. Ambrit were missing some key players - Vittorio, Carlo and Lorenzo all out - but they still managed to dominate the play for most of the game. Emilio put his team ahead with a beautifully-taken corner, straight over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. An accident? No - all decided before the game! Ambrit had chances to add to their lead before half time but none was taken.

The visitors equalised early in the second half but Ambrit went ahead again when a long free kick from Cameron and Alberto found Daniel at the far post. He was quicker to the ball than either goalkeeper or defender and scored. Ambrit went 3-1 up when Emilio's shot was deflected home and now the three points were there for the taking; but Nomen made it 3-2 when Ambrit didn't clear the ball from defence and the equaliser came soon afterwards. A foul on Cameron was ignored by the referee and the ball fell to Nomen: 3-3.

Ambrit should have won the game at the end. Cameron and Emilio took a quick corner but the referee halted play. Emilio then lofted a lovely corner to the far post, Daniele headed home but the goal was disallowed. Bad decision. 'Pazienza, andiamo avanti'.

Lots of good performances today but one of the smnallest players on the pitch was head and shoulders above everyone. Playing in defence, Kevin was outstanding. Brave in the tackle, composed in possession, clever with his positioning. Grande!

TEAM: Trym, Dylan, Oliver, Kevin, Cameron, Alberto, Emilio, Daniele, Daniel, Antonio, Nicolas

Argentina 1-2 Mexico

 A very tense match, too much complaining to the referee, too many niggly fouls. Ale opened the scoring in period 1 with a typical movement, using his speed to make space, using his skill to shoot accurately. He might have scored a second goal too, but his shot crashed down off the bar... over the line? Maybe, maybe not. No goal.

Rocco's equalising goal came in period 2 and matched Ale's goal for skill and composure. Mexico dominated period 2 and Antonio worked hard to keep the scores level. Mexico won the game in period 3, Adriano pouncing on a loose ball to fire a shot down the middle and into the back of the net.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Rocco 4, Ale 4, Max 3, Marco 3, Antonio 2, Adriano 2, Nicola 1, Diego 1, Vincent 1

Breaking News

 The disciplinary committee of the FIGC (Federazione Intramural Giuoco Calcio) wishes to clarify the situation as regards players who receive red cards in qualifying rounds of the competition.

Players who receive a red card in their last qualifying match WILL be allowed to play in the semi-final BUT they will begin the match with a yellow card.

Wales 1-0 Cameroon

 The first big chance of the game fell to Jacopo, when Daniel's inventive pass found him in the penalty area with just Tiago to beat, but Tiago did enough to force the shot wide of the left post. Jacopo continued to do well in the second period, putting the defence under pressure and finding space. He made himself another chance but this time was foiled by Ryan. Wales's best chance of the game came next: Vittorio to Tiago on the right wing and his cross found Daniele's head in the middle but Patrick saved.

The only goal of the game arrived in period 3. Vittorio controlled the ball on the left, turned outside the defender and banged a lovely low shot into the opposite corner.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Vittorio 7, Carlo T 3, Carlo C 2, Jacopo 2, Daniele 2, Patrick 2, Tiago 1, Daniel 1, Martino 1