Ragtag Rebels - War GP

2-2. Game over

The last game of the season was a nice game however everything was not really hot since the championship was already decided. There was some tension though but not even close to the level of the previous game against this team.

We had no substitutes today so the physical part was harder. We started controlling the game and soon Francesco does a great combination with both feet and scores a great goal, 1-0. Then we see that the referee (the old crazy guy of the first game) is again clearly against us, with no sense of shame at all. Every single issue, no matter how clear, was given to them. The great news is that we showed an amazing matureness and we almost didn't complain at all.

In that strange atmosphere we managed to control the ball. Stefan had two great chances after very nice movements but no luck. Suddenly, again a great move from Francesco and another goal, 2-0.

Then the break. During the first half Gianluca didn't have much work. The defense was working nicely with Digo as last guy and Fernando very focussed not only in defense but also taking the ball out to the attack. On top of that Francesco and mainly Stefan were helping a lot in defense.

Great first half of Stefan, great movements in attack and focussed in defense.

In the second half everything changed, mainly because we were tired. We didn't defend with the same strength and they scored two goals. The second one a very lucky one that Gianluca didn't see on time.

After that, both teams got chances to win. We had more, Francesco got perhaps the clearest but no luck. Also fair to say that Digo did a key cut on a 2 vs 1 and, even more, Gianluca saved us with two great saves at the end of the game.

US: Good first time with everyone focus, Stefan moving like never before and Francesco very inspired. Second half was less nice but that was understandable.

THEM: Their captain is, to say it mildly, the most unpopular guy in the league. No doubts about that. Today, like in every game: complaining, insulting, playing dirty and violently from the very first minute, etc; everything allowed by the old referee. Today they didn't have the blond chunky striker, instead they had a "dark skin" (not really black) guy that moves a lot and also a grey hair guy that was more static. The dark guy did a great action in their first goal. Still none of them as good and skillful as the blond guy. On the other hand this ones are normal guys, no signs of sickness in them.

If we don't consider their captain's behavior and the ***** referee (ridiculously against us), today it was a normal game, not many differences with others in the league.

Goals: Francesco (2x)

Linesman: Lorenzo

Ragtag Rebels - Mikkers

3-3. Finally: we won the league.

It was a hard game. As we knew Mikkers is a very powerful team in attack and we really had to pay attention at defense. They had the possession of the ball but we were pretty serious at defense.

They started scoring with a “kind of” an own goal. We don’t follow a guy in a 1-2 combination and later his shot is saved by Gianluca but bounces in the leg of one of our defenders and comes in. Again we started losing a game. However we didn’t lose focus and after a while Digo equalizes with a great shot. Then we make the 2-1 from Carlos (one vs one with the keeper, I think) and start dominating a bit. Unfortunately soon we make a dangerous pass from our area to the middle of the pitch, lost ball, everybody out of place and they make the 2-2.

About finishing the first half Gareth does an individual action and when some (me) were about to complain (because he didn’t pass it). He shoots somehow and the keeper feels generous and gives us the 3-2.

Then the break comes and we are tired but they look even more than us.

In the second half the game was very tense but still clean though; no rough tackles or complains. In the middle of the second half, a fast action from them: the guy turns around and shoots, the ball comes among some legs and Gianluca cannot grab it, 3-3. Then we defended a bit better following the best striker and after some actions of both teams the game was over.

US: Good game although it took us a long time to understand how to stop the strikers. Again we did our most common mistakes in defense. 1) Front line did not follow their pair and 2) losing the ball in our field. We didn’t do it often but those things caused us the first 2 goals.

THEM: The most dangerous attack we have faced this year. You give them an easy chance and it’s a goal.

They have two key players, both short and dark hair. One is a bit chunky and bald that moves and keeps the ball really well. The other one has glasses and is very fast and skillful, a permanent danger (also he speaks Spanish, ;)).

Luckily for us, their defense is way worse than their attack. They rarely follow their pair and let us several one vs one with the keeper; however we wasted most of them.

The keeper is not bad although he gave us the last goal.

Goals: Digo, Carlos, Gareth

Linesman: Jelmer and Stefan.