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Italy
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3
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Kostya, Jordan, Alex Hingl
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Holland
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0
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Otto
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Italy began the day in determined mood, looking to put some pressure on Portugal before the final encounter which would decide the league winners.
Sam fired a warning shot over in the second minute before Alex Hingl drew a great save from Maik after being played through. Kostya then tried his luck from long range but was denied by the upright. A depleted Holland side came into the game, with Ralph putting in a fine sliding tackle to deny Sebastian a sight of goal before Thorben saved brilliantly with his feet to deny Lars after a great pass from Max B. With just seconds to half-time Till floated in a long free-kick and Kostya was all alone to get the slightest of touches and open the scoring.
The Oranje started the second period well, with Thorben again sticking out a leg to deny Sebastian, but from the resulting corner the ball was deflected onto a blue arm and a penalty was given! Jelle stepped up to take it but his blasted effort smashed against the crossbar and over! Italy regained their composure and forced a succession of corners and from one of Till's deliveries Jordan arrived at the near post and placed a fantastic header into the far top corner! Alex Hurley almost made it 3 with a fierce dipping volley that Maik somehow flicked onto the crossbar and Jelle was on hand to nick the rebound off Alex Hingl's head. As Holland pushed for a goal Italy sealed the game on the break. Hurley played the ball to Sam, whose cross picked out Alex Hingl and he made no mistake with a wonderful half-volley that rattled in off both posts! Hingl then hit the crossbar with another stunner but the job was done and Italy could rest knowing they had set up a league decider against Portugal...
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Holland
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3
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Sebastian, Jelle, Lars
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Portugal
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1
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Bernardo
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Missing four regulars from their line-up, Portugal were hoping a victory over Holland would leave them only needing a draw against Italy to secure top spot. Holland, however, wanted to end on a high and the first half was a tough battle with chances very scarce to come by. Bernardo and Jelle fired long-range efforts in while Lars was denied by Benoit. The goalkeepers were on top form and Glenn made a great save from Sebastian after he had ghosted past Alex, Barna, Benoit and Bernardo! Holland took the lead at the end of the first half as Kevin's shot was parried by Glenn. Lars helped the ball back to the middle where Sebastian initially fluffed his kick but recovered to toe poke through the crowd into the corner!
The first eight minutes of the second half was a midfield battle with very little action until Jelle took the ball onto his left foot and struck a great shot into the far corner to double the lead. 2 became 3 as Otto was put through. Glenn made a great save and Otto's follow-up was drifting wide until Lars stretched his neck out to direct the ball into the empty net! Portugal did get one back as Jelle lost possession to Fabrizio who played in Bernardo beautifully. One touch and a Romarioesque toe-poked finish for a sublime goal, but it was too little too late.
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Italy
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7
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Till (3), Alex Hingl (2), Alex Hurley (2)
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Portugal
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0
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tto
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Under the kosh from the start, Portugal were hoping to hold on as long as possible and try to score a breakaway goal, but it wasn't to be as Italy wore them down and eventually ran out comfortable winners.
Sam came closest to breaking the deadlock against a stubborn defence, but was denied by Glenn's fingertips. With 10 minutes gone Italy found a way through as Benoit and Alex failed to clear, Till pounced and poked home the loose ball for a vital goal. He was at the heart of every move, twice having shots blocked by Alex and providing Hurley with a lovely cross which was volleyed just wide. At half-time Portugal were still in the game and Thomas dribbled forward before firing wide of the near post.
Seven minutes into the second half Hingl was on hand to finish after Glenn spilled Till's free-kick and then the floodgates opened, with Italy picking off a weary Portugal team almost at will. The Reds fought valiantly but even after three great blocks the ball fell to Hurley, who smashed home for number 3. A handball from Kostya gave them some respite, but Bernardo could only find the foot of the post and Hingl broke with pace to play in Till who rounded Glenn and tapped in. A scramble from a corner provided Hingl with his second as he scooped the loose ball in off the bar. Till then secured the Golden Boot as Sam's right-foot cross-shot found him in space and he finished left-footed past a jaded Glenn and with the last kick Hurley grabbed his second, rounding the keeper and rolling the ball home.
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