National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Petre Vornicescu started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute Petre Vornicescu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alessio Onori saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Bogdan Oprița showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Flavio Ferretti, who was totally free with the ball in the 6th minute. In the 7th match minute, U21 Romania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Petre Vornicescu to maneuver through the defense. When Vintilă Pârvan fell near the penalty area in the 8th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored U21 Romania's protests and gave Vintilă Pârvan a yellow card for diving instead. In the 8th match minute, U21 Romania was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vintilă Pârvan to maneuver through the defense. U21 Romania's defense didn't have a chance, in the 13th minute, when Flavio Ferretti scored to the left of an out of position Bogdan Oprița, making the score, 1-0. In the 19th minute Petre Vornicescu shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alessio Onori saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 21 minutes into the game, Gheorghe Hagi cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Alessio Onori was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Bogdan Oprița showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Frank Ascani, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. The audience was convinced that Flavio Ferretti's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Bogdan Oprița was relentless in the 28th minute of the game. Petre Vornicescu hit a great freekick 29 minutes into the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Flavio Ferretti in the 31st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bogdan Oprița prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 36 minutes into the match, U21 Romania's goal looked a bit too open when Flavio Ferretti came free, but Bogdan Oprița reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. U21 Italy's Frank Ascani got a good chance for a goal in the 40th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 42nd minute Gheorghe Hagi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Alessio Onori saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 45 minutes into the game, U21 Italy's Flavio Ferretti nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Bogdan Oprița made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1.
The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Flavio Ferretti to strike the kick off in the second half. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Flavio Ferretti in the 52nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Bogdan Oprița prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 54th minute of the match U21 Romania got a corner. U21 Italy's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Codrin Valerian ran over to the corner to take the kick. The audience was convinced that Gheorghe Hagi's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Alessio Onori was relentless in the 61st minute of the game. After 62 minutes, Emilio Orlandi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the U21 Italy and the U21 Romania players grew even worse after the yellow card. Alessio Onori made a fantastic save in the 64th minute, when Codruț Corbeanu sent off a good shot on target. When U21 Romania's Codruț Corbeanu in the 66th minute got a chance for a shot 66th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Italy's goalie prevented a goal. Flavio Ferretti sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 70th match minute, U21 Italy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Fabio Santini to maneuver through the defense. Alessio Onori showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Codruț Corbeanu, who was totally free with the ball in the 71st minute. Gheorghe Hagi fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 75th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Alessio Onori having to interfere. The supporters of U21 Italy booed when U21 Romania was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mihail Cernea didn't get a good kick on the ball. U21 Italy walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.
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