Congratulations to...

Alex DF..... Captain of boys' champions - AUSTRALIA
Ginevra...... Captain of girls' champions - MEXICO

Mattia M.... Best Player
Filippo C... Top Scorer
Filippo G... Best Young Player

Greta......... Best Player / Top Scorer
Ran........... Best Young Player

BOYS FINAL: Chile 4-8 Australia

A high-scoring final was dominated by the Aussies and Mediterranean Cup top-scorer, Filippo C, nabbed five goals to take the top scorer's trophy yet again.
In the first half, despite some excellent defending by Filippo T, Filippo C scored a quick hat-trick. Mattia replied with a cracking shot from outside the area but Giovanni added a fourth before half time.
Australia's superior passing and good defending from Matteo, Tommaso and Alex K, and from Octavio in goal, kept them in front in the second half and Ale dF's late arrival gave them more options going forward. Filippo C made it 5-1 before Chile tried to come back into the game. Mattia added another and Alessio was rewarded with a goal too and, at 5-3, there was a glimmer of hope for the South Americans. But it was extinguished quickly. Jacopo made it 6-3 and then 7-3; Mattia struck again to make it 7-4 but Filippo C had the last word with his best goal of the day: an unstoppable volley from the edge of the area.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Filippo C 9, Michael 5, Filippo T 2, Matteo 2, Mattia 2, Jacopo 1,

THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF: Spain 3-2 Netherlands

Filippo G scored three goals and could have bagged two more but for fine saves by Christian, but his hat-trick was enough to ensure that Jiaqi's team walked off with the bronze medals.
Filippo's second and third goals were sandwiched by one from Stuart and Luca dC made it 3-2 in the second half but Spain's dominance was never really in doubt.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Filippo G 6, Stuart 3, William 3, Luca dC 2, Joao 2, Jiaqi 2, Zahir 1, Cristian 1, Lorenzo 1

GIRLS' FINAL: Mexico - Croatia 0-0 (6-5 after penalties)

Che grande finale! Quante emozioni!
Ancora una volta i rigori a decidere l'assegnazione del trofeo finale, dopo un'appassionante partita con molte occasioni, ma con difese e portieri davvero attenti. Nel primo tempo domina la Croazia, a causa della pesantissima assenza per infortunio di Giulia - colpita a un occhio da una pallonata nei primi minuti - Poi nel secondo tempo crea di più il Messico - dopo l'ingresso di Giulia - ma Lucrezia fa buona guardia tra i pali e non concede nulla: arrivano i temuti calci di rigore. Le due squadre si rimpallano le segnature e gli errori, fino a quando il rigore di Sophie danza sulla linea di porta dopo aver colpito il palo, mentre Raffaella riesce a tirare bene l'ultimo e decisivo rigore che dà la vittoria al Messico.
Brave tutte!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: coming soon!

Mexico 1 - 1 Brazil

Un bel pareggui consente al Mexico di tenere il Brasile a un punto di distanza e guadagnare la finalissima di questo secondo Intramural!!!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: coming soon!

Croatia - Mexico 2-1

La Croazia, battendo il Messico, guadagna il pass per la finale di questo Intramural.

Australia 4-1 Netherlands

Australia managed to stop Stuart from getting any shots on target, striking four times themselves past Ambrit's first-choice goalkeeper and winning the right to face Chile in Friday's final.
An early goal from Filippo C (contested by Cristian and by a rowdy section of the onlooking crowd) set the tone and put Netherlands on the back foot. Tough defending from Zahir and co. kept the score at 1-0 though until Giovanni found the net with a well-timed volley and sent the Aussies in 2-0 at half time. It might have been three had referee Corcoran given a penalty against Zahir for a rash challenge on Filippo in the area but Zahir got away with it (again!).
The Dutchmen pulled one back early in the second half through Lorenzo: just reward for a gritty performance. But stretching for an equaliser left them open at the back and Australia took advantage: first when Jacopo scored after a beautifully-timed run onto a Filippo pass; and again when Filippo scored after a beautifully-timed run onto a Matteo pass.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Tommaso V 3, Filippo C 3, Jacopo 3, Lorenzo 2, Cristian 1, Sebastian 1, Max 1, William 1, Tommaso R 1, Zahir 1, Alex dF 1, Stuart 1, Giovanni 1, Matteo 1

Boys Semi-Final: Chile 3-2 Spain

Mattia missed an early chance in a first half where scoring chances were rare. Chile slowly began to dominate and Umberto put his team 1-0 up after 6 minutes. Some of the more experienced players on the pitch then looked on as Artur made it 2-0 with a clinical finish. Joao came close to scoring shortly afterwards but it was Joshua who struck next: 3-0 at the interval. Game over?
No! Alex clawed one back early in the second half to open up the game. Filippo hit  apost and then scored to make it 3-2 but it was all too late.
Chile into the final.
BEST PLAYER  POINTS: Mattia 4, Artur 3, Umberto 2, Jiaqi 2, Filippo T 2, Luca R 1, Andrew Cross 1, Riccardo 1, Alex V 1, Filippo G 1, Joshua K 1, Joshua C 1, Joao 1

Australia 6-3 Chile

With 2 goals from Captain Alex and 4 from Jacopo, Australia knock out Portugal and qualify for the semi-finals.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Jacopo 6, Mattia 5, Alessio 5, Matteo 2, Tommaso 2, Artur 1

Netherlands-chile 1-3

Player of the match points:
Christian 5, Alessio 4, Andrew cr. 3, max 3, Michael 2, Joshua 2, Zahir 1, Filippo t. 1

BOYS' SOCCER: St George's 7-5 Ambrit

A thrilling encounter full of goals ended in victory for the home side after Ambrit had held a half-time lead.
The visitors got off to a great start and Marco almost scored in the first minute. Joshua too had an early chance when Alessio found him with a good pass and Ambrit finally did score through Marco in the 4th minute.
Losing the early initiative, Ambrit allowed the hosts back into the game and they equalised in the 12th minute when a long shot bounced badly and tricked Christian. But St George's weren't level for long. Ambrit surged back into attack and Marco played in Joshua who made it 2-1 in the 13th minute and Marco himself made it 3-1 a minute later.
In the 17th minute, Christian saved a powerful shot but St George's were first to the rebound: 3-2. Jonathan had a couple of good efforts from long range before half time and William should have scored to finish off a great move involving Joshua and Alessio but Ambrit went in at half time with a slender one goal advantage.
Ambrit's slow start to the second half was punished after 5 minutes and St George's more aggressive approach was rewarded with a goal: 3-3. A minute later, Lorenzo set up Joshua with a good chance but he kicked it wide. St Georg's however were taking over in midfield and they went 4-3 up after 11', 5-3 after 14' and 6-3 after 18'.
Fair play to Ambrit though. They found a new lease of life and battled back a minute later, Lorenzo whacking in a ball from Marco. In the 20th minute, Alessio missed a sitter and St George's broke away to make it 7-4. Ambrit's last compensation came when Marco scored yet another goal following a good pass from Joshua.

Spain 2-0 Italy

Italy threw away the chance to pick up their first points of the season, missing a plethora of chances in the second half and conceding an easy goal in each half to a lucky Spain who finished the match one player down after captain Jiaqi was sent off for a reckless challenge.

Australia 2-2 Netherlands

The spoils were shared today but a point is more useful to Zahir than to Alex.
Ale dF put his team ahead after receiving a good pass from Giovanni; Stuart equalised with a trademark shot that zipped in from the left.
An in-form Alex almost put his side ahead again after the break but Christian intervened to keep the teams level. However, Ale struck again to put the Aussies one up. Three points beckoned but Stuart hadn't given up yet. On another of his breaks down the wing, he managed to scramble the ball back across the area and then followed up to put the ball in the back of the net when Octavio struggled to smother the ball.
BEST PLAYER POINTS
Stuart 5, Alex DF 4, jacopo M 2, William 2, FilippoC 2, Lorenzo 1, laith 1, Zahir 1, Christian 1, Octavio 1.

Mexico 1-0 Brazil

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Maria Flavia 3, Francesca 3, Greta 2, Giulia 2, Lara 2, Noemi 1, Ginevra 1

Croatia 3 - 1 Brazil

Ancora una sconfitta per il Brasile, piuttosto netta nel punteggio e nel gioco, anche se le due formazioni erano piuttosto rimaneggiate. Meglio la Croazia nel primo tempo, il Brasile è venuto fuori nel secondo tempo, con diversi tentativi nel finale, quando ancora il punteggio era fermo sul 2-1 grazie alla doppietta di Carolina e al momentaneo pareggio di Lara. Il terzo gol di Angelica ha di fatto concluso il match e smorzato la foga delle ragazze capitanate da Francesca.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Orsola 7, Lucie 3, Carolina 3, Margarida 2, Celeste 2, Francesca 1, Greta 1, Angelica 1, Fatou 1

Brazil 0 - 1 Mexico

Una bellissima punizione di Giulia nel finale affonda il Brasile e regala i tre punti al Messico. Sostanziale equilibrio tra le due formazioni, sino alla rete che decide il match.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:

Italy 0-3 Portugal

Portugal kept thier hopes of qualification alive with three points from this, their last, game and they must kow wait to see how the other results pan out.

Spain 3-2 Portugal

Though missing a couple of players - including last term's Best Player Marco - Portugal ran Spain close and might have snatched a point had Jonny's free kick gone in instead of striking the crossbar.
A misdirected clearance by Ale P let Jiaqi in for a rare goal and another less-than-perfect clearance later on set up Alex V for a second. Half time, 2-0.
Portugal pressed forward in the second half and Jonny scored from the edge of the area to make it 2-1. Spain restored the two-goal margin when Ludovico popped up in the penalty area to score from a corner. Sam made it 3-2 when Noah picked him out with a good pass but it was too late for the Portugese.
BEST PLAYER POINTS:
NoahI 8, Joao Francisco 3, FilippoG 2, Jonathan 2, GiacomoO 2, NoahG 2, Jiaqi 1, Samuel 1.

Chile 5-1 Italy

No respite for the brave Italians but they still have time to leave their mark on the tournament.

Netherlands 4-0 Italy

Missing many of their top players, Italy struggled and remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Mexico 2 - 1 Croatia

All'ultimo secondo il Messico sconfigge una buona Croazia, che aveva iniziato in inferiorità numerica la partita e si era ben difesa, recuperando anche il gol subito nel primo tempo dopo un'ottima percussione di Lara. Ran infatti aveva trovato il momentaneo pareggio su contropiede, beffando il portiere con un tocco in anticipo sull'uscita. L'1-1 sembrava il risultato più giusto, anche per i valori visti in campo, ma proprio allo scadere - come dicevamo - un'azione personale del portierone Lucrezia ha portato alla vittoria del Messico su tiro potente e preciso di Giulia.
Con questi tre punti il Messico si appaia proprio alla Croazia alle spalle del Brasile: la lotta per la finale si fa sempre più intensa!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Priscilla 5, Ran 3, Lara 3, Giulia 2, Angelica 2, Eilith 2, Celeste 2, Orsola 1, Ginevra 1

Portugal 1-1 Netherlands

Despite playing with two extra players, Netherlands still managed to leave two men free in the box half-way through the first half. One of them - Sam - made them pay: 1-0.
The Dutchmen pulled level just before half time though when the goalscorer, under pressure, scored again, but this time into the wrong goal.
An entertaining second half produced lots of excitement, few chances and no goals.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: 
Marco O 7, Johnny 7, Guerrino 2, Christian 1,NoahI 1,Sebastian 1, Stuart 1, Zahir 1.

Brazil 1-0 Croatia

L'effetto Greta continua: dopo aver "steso" il Messico, la pulce sigla anche la rete-vittoria contro la Croazia, che permette al Brasile di scattare in testa alla classifica e a Greta di consolidare la prima posizione tra i marcatori e i Best Players.
La partita offre uno spettacolo dignitoso al pubblico presente: grande equilibrio, buoni interventi e grande ritmo atletico. La tecnica...arriverà!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Greta 5, Orsola 4, Priscilla 3, Francesca 3, Angelica 2, Maragarida 2, Alexia 1, Sophie 1

Spain 1 - 1 Australia

A cracking game unfolded today at Ambrit Stadium, both sides fighting for a win to the very end.
After a goal-less first half, Ludovico broke the deadlock when he ran on to a long throw in and found himself unmarked at the near post, just 1 meter out from the goal. He bundled the ball over the line and Spain retreated into defense.
Australia accepted the invitation to an all-out attack, but it wasn't until Tommy rose out of defense like an avenging angel that the Aussies managed to equalise. At the end of a strong run forward, he found Filippo in the middle and Giacomo had no chance of stopping Filippo's venomous finish.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: 
 5 Tommaso V, 3 Joao Francisco, 2 Jiaqi, 2 FilippoC, 2 AlexDF, 2 GiacomoO, 2 Octavio, 1 JacopoS, 1 FilippoG, 1 AlexK.

Brazil 2-0 Mexico

Il Messico cede i tre punti al Brasile, non riuscendo a compensare la pesantissima assenza di Giulia, e soccombe alla bella doppietta di una Greta già in formato Garda. Ottima prestazione, punti importantissimi e primo posto nella classifica cannonieri e Player of the Match.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: 
Greta 9, Lara 3, Raffaella 3, Maria 2, Sofia 2, Francesca 1, Miranda 1

Portugal 2-1 Australia

After dominating the first half and most of the second, Australia somehow contrived to lose this match after being ahead at half time.
Filippo C put his team ahead and might have made it 2-0 but Ale P made an excellent save with his foot.
Marco equalised in the second half with a fierce shot from the right and Jonathan scored the winner from the same part of the pitch.
BEST PLAYER POINTS:
Marco 6, Jonny 4, Filippo C 4, AleP 3, Alex K 2, Giovanni 1, JacopoM 1.

Netherlands vs Italy

Selection of girls for the match:

Giulia (C)
Priscilla
Orsola
Carolina
Sophie
Valentina
Sofia
Anastasia
Greta
Maria
Lara

AMBRIT GIRLS WIN JANUARY TOURNAMENT!

Two Ambrit teams and a team from AOSR faced off in the January MS Girls Soccer Tournament.

Ambrit 'B' 4 - 1 AOSR
(scorers: Giulia 2, Lara, Maria Flavia)
In the first game, Ambrit's 'B' team (G7/8) took on AOSR and took them by surprise. Early pressure paid off with two goals from Giulia - the second set up nicely by Ran. Lara played an excellent game - always available and passing well - and scored the third goal. Maria Flavia banged in a fourth before half time and Ambrit were cruising...... or so it seemed.
AOSR re-organized in the second half, clawed back one goal and kept Ambrit's attackers at bay.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lara

Ambrit 'B' 5 - 1 Ambrit 'A'

(scorers: Francesca 2, Lara, Maria Flavia, 

Giulia; Ran)
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH: Chiara; Sophie

Ambrit 'A' 0 - 3 AOSR

Ambrit's 6th graders kept their much bigger opponents at bay for most of the match and showed their promise for the future. An incredible performance by Anastasia (G7) in goal showed Ambrit's strength in depth at the moment in the all-important no. 1 position!

PLAYERS OF THE MATCH: Anastasia

FINAL - Ambrit 'B' 0 - 0 AOSR; 3-0 after penalties

(scorers: Lucrezia, Chiara, Sofia)

After a tight final, in which Lucrezia made a series of incredible saves, the competition was decided by penalty kicks. Three fantastic penalties and two brilliant saves ensured that the honours went to Ambrit: Bravissime!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Lucrezia

Spain 2-2 Chile

Andrew Cr kicked Chile into a first half lead but Filippo G equalised before half time.
Honours were even in the second half too; Joshua set up Francesco R who struck from outside the area to make it 2-1 but, with only seconds remaining, the ball struck Filippo T's arm in the penalty area and Filippo G converted.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Mattia 4, Filippo G 3, Ludovico 3, Alessio 2, Joao Francisco 2, Michael 1, Giacomo 1, Riccardo 1, Francesco R 1, Luca R 1, Filippo T 1, Joshua C 1

Croatia 0 - 0 Mexico

Buona gara, molto equilibrata, tra le formazioni femminili scese oggi in campo: molti duelli a centrocampo, buona attenzione in difesa, ma è mancato lo spunto, la zampata che avrebbe cambiato il risultato e il volto della partita.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Sofia 6, Giulia 4, Ran 3, Priscilla 2, Maria Flavia 2, Carolina 1, Noemi 1, Orsola 1, Eilith 1

Risultati del sondaggio

Il Portogallo, nonostante la netta sconfitta contro il Cile, risulta il più votato (25%) tra le squadre maschili favorite per la vittoria del secondo intramural. Al secondo posto (!) l'Italia, che certamente avrà beneficiato dei voti femminili tra i nostri lettori. Al terzo posto, con il 18% delle preferenze, l'Olanda; alle spalle degli Orange la Spagna e il Cile appaiate; più staccata l'Australia.
Al campo il verdetto finale! Buon calcio a tutti

Australia 3-0 Italy

A good start for the Men from Down Under. A brace of goals in the first three minutes from Filippo and Jacopo settled the team and they passed the ball well for the rest of he match.
In the second half, Laith got up to crown a good performance with a header from a corner.

GIOVANI E VINCENTI!

Nella categoria della quinta elementare e della prima media la soppressa - graditissima - arriva dai più piccoli, la squadra Ambrit formata unicamente da fifth graders, che si aggiudica il torneo dopo una cavalcata trionfale nel girone e una finale tiratissima, vinta solo dopo i calci di rigore e qualche (sciocca) polemica.

Ma ripercorriamo la bella mattinata di sabato dal principio: l'Ambrit ha portato ben tre squadre su otto, di cui una mista (5/6) e due formate da elementi di prima media (6) e di quinta (5), inserite in due diversi gironi che ospitavano anche due squadre dell'eterna rivale St. George's, la New School e la Scuola Tedesca di Roma (DSR).

Nel girone A la situazione è apparsa subito molto equilibrata: fatta esclusione per la DSR, le altre squadre hanno tutte ottenuto due vittorie e una sconfitta, e il prezzo più alto è toccato alla pur brava Ambrit 6, qualificatasi per terza (questione di differenza reti) e quindi per la finale 5-6 posto.

Nel girone B la situazione è stata dominata dai piccoli ma tecnicissimi ragazzi di 5a, capaci di battere nettamente tutti gli avversari e piazzarsi primi nel girone. L'Ambrit 5/6, complice forse una minore abitudine a giocare insieme, non è riuscita a trovare la chiave della compattezza e ha ottenuto solo due pareggi e una sconfitta, finendo terza nel girone.

La finale per il quinto posto ha quindi visto fronteggiarsi due squadre Ambrit: la favorita Ambrit 6 contro la Ambrit 5/6. Il risultato di pareggio (gol di Francesco e pareggio di Nicholas) ha portato le squadre ai rigori e al verdetto: vittoria per l'Ambrit 5/6 con rigore decisivo di Nicholas!

La finalissima per il primo posto è stata molto combattuta: i piccoli dell'Ambrit 5, un po' emozionati e un po' tesi, hanno sprecato il vantaggio di Riccardo e hanno permesso alla St. George's A di ottenere un pareggio in mischia. Anche questa volta i calci di rigore hanno deciso i vincitori: dopo ben 7 rigori tirati per parte il punteggio era ancora 3-3. Qualche maligno genitore avversario ha nesso in dubbio la nostra buona fede - e questo ci dispiace e ci intristisce - ma la competizione è andata avanti, Riccardo ha segnato l'ultimo rigore e il piccolo Peter, tra i pali, ha compiuto l'ennesimo miracolo, regalando la vittoria all'Ambrit! Bravi ragazzi! Vi aspettiamo l'anno prossimo nella scuola media per altre emozionanti vittorie!

Girone A
Ambrit 6 - SGBIS A 1-0 (Francesco)
DSR - NSR 0-5
SGBIS A - NSR 2-1
Ambrit 6 - DSR 3-0 (Noah, Francesco, Filippo)
Ambrit 6 - NSR 0-1
SGBIS A - DSR 3-0

Girone B
Ambrit 5 - SGBIS B 2-1 (Edo P. - Edo P.)
Ambrit 5/6 - Southlands 0-0
Southlands - SGBIS B 3-1
Ambrit 5 - Ambrit 5/6 2-1 (Riccardo, Riccardo, Paolo)
Southlands - Ambrit 5 0-4 (Edo P., Edo P., Edo P., Emanuele)
Ambrit 5/6 - SGBIS B 2-2 (Umberto, Giovanni)

5th Place final
Ambrit 5/6 vs Ambrit 6 1-1 (3-2 dcr) Francesco, Nicholas

1st Place Final
Ambrit 5 vs SGBIS A 1-1 (5-4 dcr) Riccardo

P.S. Attendo una foto della squadra dai genitori! (email to gianluca.cristiani@ambrit-rome.com)

AMBRIT JANUARY SOCCER TOURNAMENTS: Grades 7&8 Boys

Winners: New School
2nd: DSR
3rd: Ambrit
4th: AOSR
5th: Marymount

Ambrit Results:
AOSR         0-3 Ambrit (Ludo, Jiaqi, Luca R)
Marymount  0-0 Ambrit
DSR             2-2 Ambrit (Stuart, Joshua)
NSR             3-1 Ambrit (Stuart)

Chile 3-0 Portugal

The first half belonged to Chile but they couldn't score. Matty set up Joshua twice: the first time he hit the post, the second time he shot wide. He should have scored both.
Matty then nearly took off Ale's hands with a powerful shot but it stayed 0-0.
In the second half, Joshua finally opened the scoring from inside the penalty area. Francesco R then made it two from the same side of the pitch (who was defending there??). Luca R scored the third from a corner.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: 
Jonathan 6, Mattia 5, Alessio 4, FrancescoR. 2, Joshua 2, Marco 1, LucaR. 1

Croatia 2 - 1 Brazil

Buon esordio del campionato femminile, con una gara equilibrata e incerta sino all'ultimo minuto. Nel primo confronto tra le nuove formazioni è prevalsa l'organizzazione della Croazia, coordinata e incitata da Priscilla - insuperabile libero. Dopo il vantaggio con un bel tiro da fuori di Angelica, la Croazia ha dominato il primo tempo. Determinante per la vittoria finale il gioco a tutto campo di Orsola e Ran, autrice del secondo gol; molto buona anche la partita di Sophie, capace insieme a Priscilla di bloccare tutte le iniziative avversarie. Nel Brasile invece, che secondo noi ancora deve mostrare tutto il suo potenziale, grande movimento di Greta e Margarita; ancora sottotono sono state Valentina e Francesca. Molto positiva la prova dei portieri, a cui abbiamo deciso di non dare punti-torneo per questo secondo Intramural.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Ran 7, Priscilla 4, Maria 2, Greta 2, Valentina 1, Sophie 1, Orsola 1, Margarida 1, Carolina 1, Angelica 1

Netherlands 1 - 0 Spain

The first match of the new tournament was decided by a single goal, scored by Sebastian in the first half when Luca dC found him with an aacurate pass from midfield and Alex was unable to stop the shot.

Spain had few good chances in the second half, the best one falling to Filippo G but his shot was well-saved by Cristian. The game ended in controversy as Referee Corcoran turned down a strong penalty request when Fillipo appeared to have his shirt pulled inside the penalty area.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Sebastian 5, Stuart 4, Zahir 3, Andrew Cole 1, Joao Francisco 1, Filippo G 2, Guerrino 1, Luca DC 1, Cristian 1, Riccardo 1, Lorenzo 1

Yellow card: Nicholas

GOODBYE MALLIKA!

...AND SEE YOU SOON!!!
Thank you for being such a big part of our football team and... of our heart!

Calcio Mercato

Astute buying strategies from their captains has made Alessio's Chile and Ale P's Portugal two of the teams to look out for in the new intramural (vote in our survey NOW!).

Marco and Mattia went for 49 million euros each and Filippo G was the most expensive of the Grade 6 players (20 million). Last term's top scorer fetched 10 million (Francesco R) and the most expensive defender was Joao (35 million). Let's hope that they can all justify these price tags!

Spring Intramural

The FIFA World Cup will take place in Brazil this summer but Ambrit will host their own World Cup first!

CHECK THE NEW BOYS' TEAMS!

Again this year,

• A GIRLS' All Star team will compete in the BOYS' tournament. In matches involving this All Star team, the following rules will apply to BOYS' teams:

• 7 Boys versus 8 Girls
• Any one player on a Boys' team can score no more than ONE goal
• Boys limited to four touches*

*for all other matches, the four-touch rule is suspended.

See the Calendar and Team pages now for more information!

Girls' final: Real Madrid - Barcelona 1-1 (4-2)

Una straordinaria finale, l'ultima giocata dall'eccezionale Mallika, regala spettacolo ed emozioni alla folla gremita sulla terrazza dell'Ambrit. Da una parte l'imbattuto e tecnicissimo Barcelona, capace di infilare 5 vittorie e un pareggio; dall'altra il temibile Real Madrid, tutto cuore e impegno.
A decidere le sorti della partita, paradossalmente, due autoreti assai sfortunate, una nel primo tempo che ha illuso i tifosi blaugrana, l'altra nella ripresa che ha riacceso le speranze dei madrilisti.
Quale degna conclusione, se non i calci di rigore, per assegnare il titolo di campione?
Dal dischetto fatali gli errori di Lara e Mallika, ottime le parate di Lucrezia e Anastasia, e un titolo che finisce sulla bacheca delle blancos... almeno sino al prossimo anno!

Diverse giocatrici da citare, per impegno e determinazione, ma anche per qualità tecniche in costante crescita: Mallika e Giulia, anima delle due squadre; Anastasia e Lucrezia, sempre più sicure tra i pali; Carolina e Margarida, ormai qualcosa di più di giovani promesse; Francesca (HiiiiiiHOOO), Orsola, e Ginevra ormai certezze; Valentina e Angelica combattive come sempre.
Insomma: a Garda quest'anno c'è da credere in un buon piazzamento...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Francesca 4, Carolina 3, Mallika 3, Ginevra 1, Giulia 1, Lucrezia 1, Anastasia 1.

BOYS FINAL: Inter 6-1 Roma

A one-sided final was put beyond Roma’s reach in the second half when a dubious penalty gave Inter the chance to move into a 4-1 lead and they never looked back.

Inter went into an early lead when a long ball from Joao found Filippo behind the defense and he raced on to plant an accurate shot beyond Giacomo. Alex dF was denied an equalizer shortly afterwards when Christian made a good save and Joao was constantly alert to Marco’s runs. However he could do nothing when Alex’s cross came over, slightly behind Marco and forcing him to turn to hit the ball on the volley. He caught it sweetly and it flew past Christian: 1-1.

Inter came back again and Jacopo made some room for himself on the left before unleashing a well-placed shot past Giacomo to make it 2-1 just before half time.

In the second half, Roma almost equalized early on but Jacopo hooked the ball off the line. Filippo scored with another breakaway move and then Referee Corcoran awarded a penalty to Inter. Corcoran was convinced, but no one else seemed to be. Francesco Rughetti scored with the subsequent kick and Inter wrapped up the final with two more goals from Jacopo and Filippo.

BEST PLAYER POINTS: Marco 6, Joao 6, Filippo 5, Jacopo 4, 

THIRD PLACE FINAL: Lazio 2-2 Milan (5-6 after penalties)

Today's third place final turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the thousands of spectators who flocked to Ambrit Stadium.
Lazio had the better of the early exchanges and Noah I put his team ahead when he stole a ball off Matteo in defense and shot past Michael in goal. Later in the first half, Finnian chopped down Noah I just outside the box. Tommaso V stepped up to hammer home the free kick and Lorenzo's men were smiling.
Early in the second half, Noah I had a chance to seal the victory but Michael made a great save to keep the score at 2-0. In attack for i rossoneri, Luca was always lively, Joshua was always dangerous, William was everywhere and the introduction at half time of Filippo C gave them an extra punch going forward.
But the goals wouldn't come.
Until finally Filippo, in possession in midfield, found the kind of defense-splitting pass that was needed to open up Lazio's solid defense. On the other end of the pass, Luca zipped in past two defenders and finished well: 2-1 with 4 minutes left.
When Milan won a corner on the right, there was one minute left and everybody knew that this was their last chance. Cometh the hour, cometh the man: when the ball floated over, it was deflected to the edge of the penalty aerea where William was waiting. As the ball fell to his feet, how many thoughts went through William's head... what if I hit it over? what if I hit it wide? what if I miss it altogether?
But he did none of those things. Instead he found the perfect shot on the volley to penetrate a sea of defenders and plug the ball into the back of the net!
In the penalty shoot-out, Alex in goal gave his team a glimmer of hope when he made a fantastic save off Filippo's attempt but, once again, William stepped up and hammered the final nail into Lazio's coffin.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: William 7, Tommaso 6, Riccardo 4, Finnian 2, Noah G 1, Michael 1

Real Madrid - Valencia 5-0

Vittoria senza discussioni per il Real Madrid, che - dopo la sconfitta d'esordio contro il Barcellona - si candida a ricoprire un ruolo da protagonista nel torneo femminile di quest'anno. La quadripletta del capitano madrileno viene completata da una rete dell'emergente Margarida: la "manita" distruggerà il morale valenciano? Speriamo di no, il campionato è ancora lungo...

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Giulia 8, Margarida 3, Ran 2, Angelica 1, Lara 1, Ginevra 1, Lucrezia 1.

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Sevilla

Un gol di Giulia permette al Real Madrid di superare un buon Siviglia e volare verso la finale di giovedì prossimo, contro il favorito Barcelona di Mallika & Co.
Il Siviglia lascia pochi spazi, con una prestazione maiuscola di Celeste, Priscilla e Penelope, mentre a centrocampo la coppia Andrea-Orsola attua un pressing asfissiante. Tuttavia Giulia, nell'unica occasione concessale, scappa via sulla destra e da posizione defilata infila un'incolpevole Lucrezia, sempre più brava a organizzare la propria difesa.
Nel secondo tempo il Siviglia ha una ghiotta occasione per pareggiare i conti - meritatamente - ma il destro di Maria Flavia vola alto ben al di sopra della porta protetta da Anastasia.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS: Celeste 5, Priscilla 4, Andrea 3, Orsola 1, Penelope 1, Giulia 1

Valencia - Barcelona

Normale amministrazione per il Barcelona, che con una doppietta dell'imprendibile Mallika, stende il Valencia e porta a casa i tre punti in scioltezza.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH POINTS:
Mallika 6, Francesca 1, Carolina 1, Maria 1, Ran 1, Sofia 1, Greta 1, Lara 1.

Roma 3-2 Milan

A plucky performance by i rossoneri wasn't enough to save them from the Ossicini-di Filippo axis, once again the determining factor and enough to send Roma into the final.
I giallorossi wasted no time, opening the scoring in the first minute when Michael did well to get his hands to Marco's shot but not well enough to keep it out. Luca carved himself a good chance to equalise but his shot from the left was high. Alex dF made it 2-0 from a corner and Roma looked to be well in control of the match.
But then Milan woke up, urged on by Luca's energy and Joshua's enthusiasm and insistence which was rewarded by a goal in the tenth minute. Nico then put a ball wide but Milan kept coming forward and Joshua played in Luca to make it 2-2. Alex dF could have made it 3-2 before half time but he shot straight at Michael.
Marco began the second half strongly again, hitting the post with a header. Luca had a good shot saved by Giacomo but it was Roma who found the winner half-way through the second half with, once again, Marco setting up Ale dF.
BEST PLAYER: Marco 9, Alex dF 2, Finnian 4, Luca dC 3, Andrew C 3

Inter 1-0 Lazio

Lazio had to settle for a place in the Third place final as Inter pulled out a solid performance to move into next week's final with a 1-0 win.
The only goal of the game came when Francesco Rughetti caught Ramnath napping in goal with a low shot from the right. Lazio had some chances to equalise before half time, the best of them falling to Noah G when he followed up Lorenzo's free kick and hit the bar with his shot. Inter might have made it 2-0 just before half time but Ramnath brought off a fantastic save when Jacopo shot from point-blank range.
Lazio kept possession for most of the second half but they couldn't score.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Riccardo 5, Ludo 5, Tommaso 2, Noah I 2, Joao 1, Jacopo 1, Noah G 1, Christian 1, Lorenzo 1, Francesco 1, Ramnath 1

St George's Girls' Tournament: under-11 section - 'A' team

The Primary Girls soccer team enjoyed a lovely Saturday by competing in a tournament organized by St. Georges. The girls played 4 games at first, with two wins and two losses. Lucrezia led the team goals, with some beautiful shots that went straight into the corners of the net and to the amazement of the crowd. Mia created many opportunities for her teammates and had plenty of assists and goals to prove it. Sophie showed a strong defense and Noor protected the goal with fierce determination. The fifth and final match against Ambrit Grade 6 decided that the Ambrit Primary girls would take home 4th place. The girls look forward to playing in the next tournament, where they are sure to continue their high spirits and skilled games.

Inter 4-4 Milan

A public starved of good football was treated to a feast of a match today as Milan resurrected themselves from a 1-4 deficit, scoring three goals in the last three minutes to grab a point and seal their third place finish in the group stages.
The action began in spectacular style when Stuart won a ball in midfield,looked up to see Michael off his line and lob in a beautiful shot to make it 1-0. Four minutes later, on the opposite side of the pitch, Jacopo spotted an opening and hammered in an equally spectacular goal to make it 2-0.
At the other end, Luca was causing havoc among the Inter defense but Joao was trying to keep him under control. Then Nico played a lovely pass to Filippo C on the right and Filippo reminded us what a good finisher he is: 2-1.
Then, just before half time, Stuart struck again with another thunderbolt from the left to make it 3-1 and Francesco R finished off a good passing move to make it 4-1 at half time, the final assist coming from Filippo G on the left.
In the second half, Milan poured forward but Christian made some very good saves. With three minutes to go, Filippo made it 2-4. Then a good passing movement finished with the ball in the air and Joshua fired it in with a spectacular bicycle kick.
With the crowd now on the edges of their seats, Milan surged forward with only seconds remaining. Joshua played the ball in from the right and there was Filippo C again to make it 4-4!
Semi-final pairings now decided: Lazio vs Inter; Roma vs Milan.
BEST PLAYER POINTS: Ludovico 4, Stuart 4, Filippo C 3, William 2, Luca dC 2, Christian 2, Joshua 2, Matteo 1, Filippo G 1