Sun World Cup 2003    [ Travel ]

The stage ... Porto San Giorgio, Italy.

The teams ... Italy, Spain, USA West, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland/Whales, England, USA East, Japan, France.

The conditions ... Overcast with mild to fair winds.

The pitch ... spectacular.

The results ... read on!

Game 1 - Germany
This game was a sight ... we put in 2 goals pretty
quickly and nearly had about 6 more. We were in top
form and as it turns out Germany had one of the worst
teams, so this was a romp. final 2-0

Game 2 - Italy
We got off to a quite start with a goal in the first 2
minutes, but failed to make good on any of our other
attempts. The italian team was a bit disorganized
though and sported a whopping 0 shots on goal. final
1-0

Game 3 - Scotland/Whales
Easily the most brutal of our games as you might
expect. Quite a bit or swearing and yelling too.
Scotland played hard, but suffered from a lack of
attack. We played fairly well and had many chances, 2
which were nullified by the keeper grabbing the ball
outside the box yet we only got simple free kicks as a
result. However, late in about the 22nd minute we put
one in. final 1-0

Game 4 - Japan
Japan was easily the most skilled team we saw at the
tournament, they were very impressive. We played
fairly even with them the entire 25 minutes, and once
again the defense kept out any real threatening
attacks. The lone goal for us came on a bit of a
fluke ball launched from about 40 yards out that just
happened to fall behind the keeper. final 1-0 **on a
very unfortunate note our win here caused a tie
between Scotland and Japan for the second spot in our
bracket, which Scotland was awarded based on total
goals. However Japan was the far better team :(

Game 5 - Semi-final vs. France
France basically got in on a fluke and probably didn't
deserve a semi-final spot, but oh well. We took it to
them pretty easily and managed to put one in to secure
the game despite losing out sweeper to a mid game
injury from a collision. final 1-0

Game 6 - Championship vs. Spain
Spain looked clearly above most teams, yet very
managable. The game got rough early and the Spanish
were as dirty as can be. We clearly dominated the
game, but 30 minutes is not much time and we couldn't
get one in the net in time so match would have to be
decided by penalty kicks.

We had a good lineup, one which i would have expected
at least 4 goals from, but we began to sink early.
Our veteran leader shot first and blasted it off the
crossbar for a miss, oi. Luckily the Spanish bloke
sucked more and blasted his clear over the goal. Our
second shooter put his away in the right corner, but
the ref called it back complaining that he hadn't
blown the whistle yet. The second shot was in the
same spot, but this time the goalie was there and we
were now 0 for 2. The second spanish shooter put a
good foot on it and looked well, but it caught enough
of the post to deflect it back out for another miss.

4 shots ... no goals. Our striker shot 3rd and
finally someone put one away easily, this time in the
left lower corner. The spanish answered back with
equal authority blasting their kick firmly into the
side of the net. US 1 ... Spain 1. Our sweeper shot
4th and pounded a good shot firmly into the back of
the net to put us ahead once again. Spain was a bit
lucky on their reply which hit the crossbar but
bounced into the goal. US 2 ... Spain 2.

Our second striker shot last and was able to put his
out of the reach of the keeper and into the side of
the net. Victory could be secured. The spanish sent
their striker in as well and made quick work of the
attempt. After 5 each ... US 3 ... Spain 3.

Shooting 6th was midfielder 'ol MacGilliland, a lefty
sporting some intimidating cut tape over his right
eye. The keeper was shakin' in his boots trying to
figure right or left. The shot is fired ... the
goalie dives ........... whoa, that keeper was way
off, easily hitting the back of the net on that one.
Once again the US has a chance for victory. The
spanish now smelling defeat send in their 6th man.
Shot fired ... golie dives ... bah! goal! This will
require another round folks.

Shooting 7th for the US was a substitute midfielder
borrowed from the US East team (we were trying not to
let the defense shoot. heh). A young scottish lad,
but he had a bone to pick after have his penalty shot
blocked by the spanish goalie in his first game in the
tournament. He's calm. He's poised. He fires. It's
good!! And for yet another round the pressure falls
on the spanish to stay alive. Up marches the spanish
kicker ... a stout fellow. The whistle blows. The
shot fired ... and it's over!? no. it's good. We
continue to an 8th round.

The intensity is thick enough to cut with a knife.
The US marches out its 8th kicker ... a substitute
attacker from the US East team again. The fear of an
eventual miss is mounting quickly. The shot is away.
The goalie dives. It's good. 6 in a row. Once again
there is a chance for victory. The US keeper steps
back into the box. The shooter lines up. He fires.
Its in. No! Blocked! Blocked! Blocked! And the US
wins the cup!

Yup, so we came, we played, we won! And in true
American form we took the cup to the closing dinner,
got really drunk from drinking many bottles wine out
of the cup, then broke it :)

So ... the short story is that we won and then broke
the trophy ... hah!

Posted by agilliland at September 17, 2003 11:38 AM