The Gothia Cup Adventure 2005
The Gothia Cup Adventure 2005 |
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| Friday
22nd July 2005 11:15am Under 12s vs BK Vången 1 (4-3 pen shootout) A not quite so early start. The day that Big Ben got his gammy leg jumping to rescue a high ball... I met the BK Vången fans on the touchline. Specifically the ultra cool Richard. Great crowd, great atmosphere. A tough match that finished 0-0 and we went through on penalties. Once again, great support from the Under 19s (as you'll see from the photos). We're now through to the Semis where we will meet Azalea BK 2 - a local Swedish side. 3:15pm Under 12s vs Azalea BK 2 (5-6 pen shootout) A cracking match against what I imagined to be the guts of an A Playoff team. (Azalea SK 1 were now out of the A playoffs and their players eligible to play for the Azalea SK 2 team). We held our own well and came from behind twice to produce a 2-2 full time score line. I was standing right behind Jordan's second goal and the Azalea keeper stood no chance as it sailed into the top left corner of his net. Cracking goal! The Azalea supporters on the touchline told me how impressed they were with the kids' character to come from behind twice. To go out on penalties is always cruel (as it must have been for BK Vången earlier today) but our cause wasn't helped when an absolute eejit of a senior referee (we later learned he was not, in fact, an escaped lunatic as originally thought) walked right across the penalty area when Curtis was lining up his penalty. Anyhow, the lads can hold their heads high with the realisation that, although we lost, we weren't beaten. Both sides deserved to go through. We wish our friends Ula, Kim and Peyman and their kids well in the final against La Academia from Guatemala... Photos here... Brasserie Lipp We finished off the day with dinner and cocktails at Brasserie Lipp beside the Hard Rock Cafe. We had a great evening. Each Under 12s team member received a trophy and a Gothia Cup diploma. We were well looked after and the memory of the Under 19s outside afterwards chanting the names of each member of the Under 12s squad as a member of their "best team in the land" will be long remembered by the Under 12s squad. Thanks a lot guys for a great evening! All of the Under 12s supporters and coaches had clubbed in to get Ben Oliver something to say thank you for organising such a great trip for everyone. The big man was obviously touched but the gift was certainly well earned... |
