National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) 10 minutes into the match, U21 Sweden's goal looked a bit too open when Beppe Maestri came free, but Viktor Blomkvist reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 13th minute Beppe Maestri shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Viktor Blomkvist saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Arvid Persson recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 18th match minute, U21 Italy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Alessandro Nesta to maneuver through the defense. Axel Pihlblad kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. U21 Sweden's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Axel Pihlblad in the 26th minute. The corner ended in Axel Pihlblad almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but U21 Italy's Dennis Matteucci did a great save. In the 29th minute Folke Axelsson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dennis Matteucci saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 30 minutes U21 Italy's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Axel Pihlblad who took care of the corner kick. The corner went over the outstretched arms of U21 Italy's goalie and right to Qämbäräliyev Fahlgren. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. U21 Italy's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Dennis Matteucci showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Arvid Persson, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. The corner led U21 Sweden's Axel Pihlblad to fire away a dangerous shot which Dennis Matteucci despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. U21 Sweden's Olof Jonsson managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Dave Arioli in the 40 minute of the game. Dennis Matteucci came out of the goal in the 41st minute to try and stop a shot by U21 Sweden's Arvid Persson. But to his dismay, Arvid Persson quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. After 43 played minutes U21 Italy got a freekick which was hit by Dave Arioli. In the 45th minute Arvid Persson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dennis Matteucci saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. When Alessandro Nesta fell near the penalty area in the 45th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Italy's protests and gave Alessandro Nesta a yellow card for diving instead. Alessandro Nesta hit a great freekick 45 minutes into the match. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.
The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Arvid Persson stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Arvid Persson got free with Dennis Matteucci in the 51st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Viktor Blomkvist showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Elia Burelli in the 53rd minute of the match. U21 Sweden's Olof Jonsson managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Dave Arioli in the 54 minute of the game. Folke Axelsson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dennis Matteucci made an important save on a dangerous shot by Arvid Persson in the 62nd minute. In the 62nd minute, one of U21 Italy:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for U21 Italy. The goalkeeper, Dennis Matteucci, was totally fooled by U21 Sweden's Axel Pihlblad, who 64 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Viktor Blomkvist showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Beppe Maestri in the 67th minute of the match. U21 Italy's Dennis Matteucci proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 69th minute of the match, managed to save U21 Italy from getting a goal against them. Viktor Blomkvist took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Alexander Pietrangelo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Viktor Blomkvist made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Alexander Pietrangelo in the 77th minute of play. 79 minutes into the match, U21 Italy's goalkeeper Dennis Matteucci had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Arvid Persson. Daniele Camerlengo's late challenge caught a U21 Sweden's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Daniele Camerlengo helped the player get up and apologised. Daniele Camerlengo hit a great freekick 83 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in U21 Italy's zone, Axel Pihlblad stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dennis Matteucci came out of the goal and Axel Pihlblad tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 86th play minute Arvid Persson came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Dennis Matteucci. 0-3. U21 Italy's Dennis Matteucci played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Arvid Persson in the 92nd minute of play. Arvid Persson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 96th minute. Dennis Matteucci tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. U21 Sweden's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.
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