2018 Benacia Cup
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2018 Benacia Cup
This is the official thread for this summer's Benacia Cup, to be held in Shireroth between 7th July and 21st July! The final draw has taken place, with the tournament's two groups looking like this:
Group A
Craitland
Kalgachia
Shireroth
Group B
Elwynn
Merenolitovina
Tellia
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Monday July 2nd to avoid FMF player selection. Fixtures and dates shall be announced shortly!
Group A
Craitland
Kalgachia
Shireroth
Group B
Elwynn
Merenolitovina
Tellia
Teams are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Monday July 2nd to avoid FMF player selection. Fixtures and dates shall be announced shortly!
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Fixtures
7th July
Group A: Shireroth vs. Kalgachia
Group B: Merenolitovina vs. Tellia
10th July
A: Kalgachia vs. Craitland
B: Elwynn vs. Merenolitovina
13th July
A: Craitland vs. Shireroth
B: Tellia vs. Elwynn
17th July
Semi-final: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
Semi-final: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
21st July
Third-place: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
7th July
Group A: Shireroth vs. Kalgachia
Group B: Merenolitovina vs. Tellia
10th July
A: Kalgachia vs. Craitland
B: Elwynn vs. Merenolitovina
13th July
A: Craitland vs. Shireroth
B: Tellia vs. Elwynn
17th July
Semi-final: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
Semi-final: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
21st July
Third-place: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Craitman wrote:Zyx Dermäna has named his final twenty-man squad to take to Shireroth next month, following a comfortable win and narrow defeat against Transbatavia and Mercury, respectively, in the team's warm-up friendlies. The final twenty includes just two goalkeepers, as per tournament rules, six defenders, eight midfielders and four forwards. The most notable absences are arguably goalkeepers Jamie Vallensen and Tim Ula, with Sverige's League 1 winner Jesse Lydveldt chosen to presumably back-up Francis Hjansen, but Dermäna's keeping situation was well-publicised beforehand and multiple stoppers were guaranteed to face exclusion. There is no space for striker Aidan Keĵinz either, as the Senyan-based player struggled to find international form despite his four-goal haul in the 7-1 win over New Vaduz in last year's World Cup group. Another goalie in Kraig Johansen, midfielders Markko Christiansen and İlker Keremov, and striking newcomer to the squad Dräsen Isrdlvarien are the others who miss-out on a final spot.
The full roster, including shirt numbers, is as follows:Goalkeepers
1. Francis HJANSEN (Dynamo Deacon [Mercury])
20. Jesse LYDVELDT (Sverige Tiem)
Defenders
2. Daniel HJANSEN (Sverige Tiem)
3. Alexis PROTEŅ (Biulya äqi Jedu)
4. Ross ZEN (Sverige Tiem)
5. Johaņ IŅVAÄRSEN (Cherry Trees)
12. David JANSEN (Zekäbelóman Kahthajtensen)
13. Ben HJYNGMOST (Osĵätoņ Aztecs)
Midfielders
6. Hänä ZENSEN (Cherry Trees)
7. ALEXIS Pellegrino (Kealb)
8. Ĵulian ÓLSEN (Dynamo Deacon [Mercury])
11. JUAN Pellegrino (Kealb)
14. Ilt VALMER (Kealb)
15. Jan MIKELT (Cherry Trees)
17. Adám PERRYMAN (Eĵars Town)
19. David LORESEN (Sverige Tiem)
Strikers
9. Will ZÓMA (Eĵars Town)
10. Freddie GAÄRSEN (Cherry Trees)
16. Lydveldt JONMIKELTSEN (Cherry Trees)
18. Jan-Morteņ JULIAĴSEN (Osĵätoņ Aztecs)
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Tellian squad wrote:Goalkeepers
1. Thibault GUILLERMETY (Vecchiacittà Calcio)
12. Simone DI MAGGIO (FC Fiorecittà)
Defenders
2. Valérien HERTZ (Vecchicittà Calcio)
3. Alessandro DE LAURENTIIS (FC Fiorecittà)
4. Pasquale DI MONTEZEMOLO (Cherry Trees [Craitland])
5. Marco SCHIAVVI (Xäiville Teflons [Craitland])
6. René SGARBINI (Vecchiacittà Calcio)
13. Niccolò PEDRAZZINI (Vecchiacittà Calcio)
15. Haskel BERNSTEIN (Romero Sport)
Midfielders
8. Sezer ÖZKER (Dynamo Deacon [Mercury])
10. Massimo SANTONI (FC Fiorecittà)
11. Marko ZAJC (Cherry Trees [Craitland])
14. Mirko GIORDANO (Romero Sport)
16. Riccardo GANAU (FC Fiorecittà)
17. Antonio NAVARRO (Les Verts Gianiano)
20. Isaac MAHLER (Vecchiacittà Calcio)
Forwards
7. Gianluca SALMOIRAGHI (Biulya äqi Jedu [Craitland])
9. Armando UGGÈ (Kateki Blavisen [Senya])
18. Andrea Luca PERUZZI (Real Porapa [Caputia])
19. Luigi DONATELLO (Les Verts Gaianiano)
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Merenolitovinan squad wrote:Goalkeepers
1. Ben SZHMUEL (Lokomotiv Rabintzov)
12. Gavrel KURTS (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
Defenders
2. Herzl DE CASTRO (Romero Sport [Tellia])
3. Vladek RABINOWICZ (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
5. Feivel HERZOG (Lokomotiv Rabintzov)
6. Iser SCHULDBERG (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
14. Ronnie SZMULEVER (Asga Bears [Caputia])
15. Itzic BARUCH (Romero Sport [Tellia])
16. Motke SHKOLNIK (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
Midfielders
4. Chaim LIEBEL (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
7. Barak WEITZMAN (Judah Jaguars [Caputia])
8. Dovid MAHLER (Imperial United [Shireroth])
11. Dovid TZIPRIS (Farvælska Itrottarlagið [Elwynn])
13. Dominik SHOLZ (Lokomotiv Capital [North Antarctica])
18. Stanislas ZELIKOWICZ (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
19. Guy EISENBERG (Krelitz Kommandos)
Forwards
9. Gavrel LEVANDOVSKIY (Romero Sport [Tellia])
10. Frenkel BRUNO (Maccabiah Klymenburg)
17. Ben NEUMANN (Vecchicittà Calcio [Tellia])
20. Hersh SPIELMANN (Lokomotiv Rabintzov)
Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
THE IMPERIAL REPUBLIC OF SHIREROTH
Manager: Pitïlo Shamosa
Goaltenders
1. Alejian du Nigrad (Romero Sport [TEL])
12. Frederico (Mortis Mercatoria FC)
Halfbacks
2. Sarxan Marax (F.C. Kagoshima [HON])
3. Arthur Schneider (T.S.V. Itano [HON])
4. Lloyd Venson (Mihara County S.C. [HON])
5. Fjalar Stefánsson (Lokomotiv Capital FC [NAP])
13. Joe Ford (Cianwood Coast A.C. [HON])
14. Ted Overbeck (SC Antarctica [NAP])
15. Juli Rhahédar (Syrelwynn Swifts)
Fullbacks
6. Rranr Kikksta (JHI-LK)
7. Talsin Llwrran (Vecchiacittà Calcio [TEL])
8. Sori Thiation (VPR)
9. Jóhann Viðarsson (Mortis Mercatoria FC)
16. Legus (VB New Schaan [NVD])
17. Jonas Overstag (FC Apollo)
18. Tor Svensson (Mortis Mercatoria FC)
Strikers
10. Kurt Lamberti (Sverige Tiem FC [CRA])
11. Jalal Akwá (Syrelwynn Swifts)
19. Sdeli Liurion (JHI-LK)
20. Gary Smith (Mortis Mercatoria FC)
Hâlian, Magic: The Gathering player/baseball and gridiron fan/computer guy/conlinguist and worldbuilder/tabletop and video game fan too
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 7th July*
Group A
Group A
Group BShireroth 3-1 Kalgachia
28' - S. Thiation
45' - M. Sonetti
59' - K. Lamberti
86' - F. Stefánsson
Hosts Shireroth began their Benacia Cup campaign with victory over rivals Kalgachia, whose chances of progressing in the tournament are immediately reduced. Following an opening ceremony welcoming us to Shireroth for its first international tournament since the 2011 World Cup, the home side were evidently intent on putting on a show on the pitch, with fans in full voice. The Kalgachians, in light of recent tensions between their two countries, were ready for the atmosphere, and began strongly, forcing two corners in the opening stages which were both cut-out by Alejian du Nigrad. Despite an ageing squad, Shireroth have gone into this tournament with relatively high expectations as they aim to better their third-placed finishes from the first three Benacia Cups, and it's understandable why hopes are up from the first goal. A lovely passing move split the Kalgachian defence apart, with Jóhann Viðarsson the pivot, before Kurt Lamberti found space in the area to turn and lay the ball into the path of Sori Thiation as he made his way forward. The squad first-timer made his mark with a low shot that skimmed the foot of the post as it went in to score in under half an hour of his tournament début. While it looked like Shireroth would take a lead into half time, the script was changed by the Kalgachians, who equalised with the last kick of the half. A hopeful long ball forward by Dinar Khafizullin was met by Noddy Bottomburp's header to knock the ball onto Mariolino Sonetti, who fought off a challenge before putting the ball between du Nigrad's legs and in. The Shirerithian-born ethnic Sanillan dropped to his knees to celebrate.
Kalgachia struggled to make their efforts at the end of the first 45 count, however, once the second half got underway. Shireroth looked to have stepped their game up a level after conceding so simplistically, and needed just under a quarter of an hour to regain their one-goal lead. This time, provider turned scorer, as Kurt Lamberti - a club teammate of leveller Sonetti - found the back of the net. In a move similar to Kalgachia's goal, a long clearance from Lloyd Venson was flicked forward by Talsin Llwrran to Lamberti, but the forward played the ball to partner Jalal Akwá, who offered a one-two as Lamberti continued forward and converted the pass into the box with a strong left-footed strike as the 'keeper was unable to find the time to even dive before it crossed the line. Shireroth were confident after the second goal, and created more surges upfield as Kalgachia struggled to get the ball back. Lamberti headed over and Akwá had a one-on-one smothered well in two clear-cut chances to extend their lead ahead of the final ten minutes, but a third did come not long before the final whistle. Substitute striker Sdeli Liurion earned a corner after his shot was deflected behind by Khafizullin, and fellow replacement Legus took the resultant corner to find Fjalar Stefánsson up from the back for a header. While the effort from the defender hit the bar, it bounced down over the line before the man on the post could hook clear, and the goal put the match beyond doubt.
The hosts will be happy with a result which sees them able to advance from the group before they even play next - as long as Craitland beat Kalgachia in three days' time - while Kalgachia will have to do something they failed to do twice in qualifying and beat the Craits, whose recent record has only seen one defeat in their last twelve matches.
Merenolitovina 0-0 Tellia
A tense fixture between the Tellians and Merenolitovinans ended goalless as the World Cup winners' recent run of form continues to underwhelm. Having been in the same qualifying group, Merenolitovina caused somewhat of a surprise by finishing ahead of their parent nation's team, but they showed here that that was no fluke as they, for the third meeting in a row, stopped Tellia's offence from scoring. Although Merenolitovina were unable to change the score sheet themselves, Simone Di Maggio was in inspired form to keep out a handful of efforts from Gavrel Levandovskiy and Frenkel Bruno, whose partnership was a big part in this group of players' first ever tournament qualification since the demise of Ashkenatza. Tellia were not entirely toothless in the match, but were unable to make opportunities created for Armando Uggè and Gianluca Salmoiraghi count in most part due to resolute defending, despite dominating the latter stages.
As the spoils are shared, Merenolitovina sit top of Group B by basis of alphabetical order, but have the shortest rest as they face Elwynn in the group's next match. While a victory over Elwynn would guarantee them progression, a defeat would make it very likely an early trip home was on the cards, so there is everything to play for. Tellia can't have their fate confirmed yet, until they face Elwynn themselves on the 13th.
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 10th July*
Group A
Group A
Group BKalgachia 1-3 Craitland
15' - J.M. Juliaĵsen
36' - D. Loresen
75' - L. Jonmikeltsen
90' - N. Iskhakov
Kalgachia's first ever tournament appearance came to an abrupt end after defeat to Craitland, who ensured they and Shireroth advanced as a result. After an opening-day defeat to the hosts, Kalgachia knew they needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, while the Craits made their Benacia Cup entrance in this match after a bye three days ago, safe in the knowledge that even a draw could send them through coupled with avoiding a heavy loss to Shireroth. As it was, Craitland began well, playing with the type of confidence one may expect of a team which took six points from their shared match-ups in qualifying, and were rewarded after just 15 minutes as Jan-Morteņ Juliaĵsen was picked-out in the box by Will Zóma's delivery; the striker's chested control took him away from Ansel Akhatov to allow him a comfortable left-footed finish into the bottom of the net. Craitland were in the ascendancy after going ahead, and doubled their lead before the break. As the Craits' midfield increasingly joined-in attacks, central pairing David Loresen and Adám Perryman found themselves in opportunistic areas, and the latter assisted the former for his eighth international goal thanks to a pinpoint ball through the defence which Loresen diverted past Bikmajev in goal with a first-time reach of his right boot. Traffic was far from one-way in the first half, however, with Kalgachia earning two corners and registering shots on target from Sonetti and Bottomburp up top, but the two-goal lead was sustained.
The Kalgachians started the second 45 looking like a team needing a goal, which they did to keep their hopes alive, and teased Francis Hjansen into action to deny them a score. Hjansen, whose starting place now seems merited after seeing-off his competition, was at hand to tip a Sonetti header inches around the post at full stretch soon after the restart. As in the first match, Sonetti caused the opposition defence the most troubles but a lack of reliable support stopped any real chance creation occurring. Craitland ultimately hit a third with 15 minutes remaining, with Lydveldt Jonmikeltsen coming off the bench to replace a quiet Zóma minutes earlier to power home. A cheaply-won corner was swung in by Juan Pellegrino and took a bounce before finding Jonmikeltsen, who wasted no time in lacing it in by the back post, with the defender on the line arguably lucky to have not been in the shot's way. However, complacency seemed to strike the Craits at the death. With a three-goal lead sending them to the top of the group, the final play of the match saw midfielder Niglai Iskhakov dispossess the usually sturdy Iņvaärsen on the edge of the box before putting the ball in the net as Hjansen struggled to react to the unexpected danger in time.
Although ending their campaign with something to cheer, Kalgachia do have to depart their maiden Benacia Cup now after mathematics make it impossible for them to progress, but their involvement may not be in vain as matching scorelines against Craitland and Shireroth now sees that pair go head-to-head in the group's climax to decide who tops the table.
Elwynn 1-1 Merenolitovina
2' - J.R. Oðð
87' - S. Zelikowicz
Two contenders for goal of the tournament book-ended an otherwise tedious affair between two of the competitions' more tactically astute sides. After an uninspiring goalless tie against Tellia on Saturday, Merenolitovina wanted to avoid defeat at all costs, but Elwynn threw a spanner into the works with barely two minutes played of their first match of the tournament. Immediately from the Merenolitovinan kick-off, Gavrel Levandovskiy was caught in possession by right-back Johanns Raun Oðð, who chose to carve a path up the pitch as no challenges came in before putting an audacious hit from a full 35 yards out up and over the reach of Ben Szhmuel to crash into the back of the net. After holding World Cup winners Tellia at bay for ninety minutes, to go behind to Elwynn so soon must have been demoralising for the Merenolitovinan defenders. Following the lightning start to the match, play was notably subdued, as the two teams cancelled one another out for the majority of the first half. Irrespective of hopeful balls forward, much of the play was bogged-down in the centre of the park as both sides' battle-hardened midfields came to blows.
The beginning of the second half, up until the hour, saw creativity snatch a brief moment in the spotlight, as Merenolitovina's Barak Weitzman turned Arvið Frå Bakkinon inside-out before delivering a cross which met a Levandovskiy overhead kick that looped up onto the roof of the net. Weitzman himself also had a free-kick panic Öldrikkari as it whistled a foot or so wide of the target during this period. Elwynn's usual offensive outlet Yngvi Miskjalendzki found himself subject to an uncharacteristic substitution with over half an hour still to go, as they attempted to break down the opposition more effectively to extend their advantage, but to no avail. The game's only other talking point came very near the end with a rare Merenolitovina counter-attack culminating in success; Levandovskiy took the ball upfield before picking-out Stanislas Zelikowicz with good range. After looking up and spotting Öldrikkari off his line, Zelikowicz tried a lob from distance that the 'keeper managed to get a touch to, but not enough to divert the shot anywhere other than further into the air before gracefully dropping down over the goalline. With just minutes to go, Elwynn had no ability to restore their lead and a second draw in a row for Merenolitovina was sealed.
Despite no wins to their name, Merenoltovina are interestingly in pole position in Group B, but have no more matches remaining. Elwynn's fixture against Tellia in three days will decide everything; a win seeing the victors through regardless, while a draw between the two could change the outlook of the table depending on how high- or low-scoring it is.
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 13th July*
Group A
Group A
Group BCraitland 0-2 Shireroth
11' - K. Lamberti
82' - S. Liurion
Shireroth overcame a stern Craitish test to top their group and set-up a theoretically easier semi-final tie thanks to a two-goal win. With both teams approaching the match following 3-1 victories over Kalgachia, it was all to play for in terms of placement to decide the fixtures of the knock-out rounds. Despite the pair having both guaranteed their advancement, the strongest possible line-ups were fielded as pride and momentum were potential boons heading forward. The hosts began well and caught Craitland out early in the encounter, through Kurt Lamberti's powerful finish after sneaking between the Craitish defence to latch onto Rranr Kikksta's pass. Craitland were not deflated by going behind so soon, and we the better side for the remainder of the half, with young brothers Alexis and Juan Pellegrino causing Shireroth's inexperienced back line a number of problems, but were unable to level the score, despite Jan-Morteņ Juliaĵsen attempting to score for a fourth game on the trot.
The second 45 was played in a similar vein to the first, albeit in reverse. The Craits were the more dangerous side going forward, but were flummoxed by some dependable 'keeping by Alejian du Nigrad, and also infuriated by a crossbar deflecting a rangy Adám Perryman shot away. Shireroth were reliant on Lamberti in the final third, which at times saw the striker isolated, but a change in the final quarter-hour brought him into the match more. Jalal Akwá was replaced by the younger Sdeli Liurion, and the new partnership was immediately destructive. Two passing moves created chances which culminated in corners, with the second delivery being decisive; Llwrran's ball in was met by Lamberti's header towards the edge of the box, and Liurion was ready to pounce by the back post to volley it over the line ahead of an attempted Daniel Hjansen clearance off the line. The Craits had no answer to going two behind, despite bringing on record scorer Freddie Gaärsen, and failed to score for the first time in thirty matches; since they last played their apparent bogey team Shireroth.
The hosts march on as support grows amongst the crowds, as Craitland will need to overcome a tricky semi-final to make a first Benacia Cup final.
Tellia 4-0 Elwynn
7' - A. Uggè
10' - A. Uggè (pen.)
35' - M. Zajc
64' - L. Donatello
World Cup champions Tellia regained form at the key moment to turn Elwynn over to the tune of four goals; a heavy defeat which resigns the Benacia Cup holders to elimination at the group stage. After their shock victory over Tellia two years ago to win their first ever silverware, Elwynn went into this match knowing that a high-enough-scoring draw would take them through, with Tellia also needing the same to advance but a win to top the group. And a win they got, after putting themselves on the right path early doors through Armando Uggè's brace. Marko Zajc was the architect of the opening goal, with his mazy dribble taking him past Frå Bakkinon and Havelas before slotting the ball across to Uggè to tap home unchallenged, while Uggè forged the second three minutes later himself. A chested control and flick forward saw him skin Abbas Madani and drive towards the area for a shot, which hit the forearm of Havelas as he tried to block. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and Uggè happily finished his initial shot with a cool, placed effort into the bottom-right as Folki Öldrikkari refused a dive. The Tellians' dominance was too much for the Elwynnese players, and a third hit the net before the break to realistically put the match beyond their grasp. Marko Zajc was on hand to score after Sezer Özker held up play in the "D" before finding his teammate with a quick sidefoot to allow him the opportunity to hit a hard and low shot into the same corner as the penalty. Elwynn's best chance of the first half fell to Razdjani Emiri, but ended-up with the ball flying high into the stand.
The holders gave a bit of a fight after the restart, with two good efforts stinging the palms of Simone Di Maggio from the boots of Emiri and Peyman Eslamzadeh outside the area. With a notable cushion sustaining their lead into the last half-hour, Tellia brought forward Luigi Donatello and midfielder Mirko Giordano on for some game time, as Elwynn's final roll of the dice saw Svante Samuelsson's addition sacrifice Madani in defence. Soon after, one of Tellia's changes added another, with Donatello scoring his firs tournament goal in almost four years thanks to a clear run through, due to Elwynn's defensive depletion, and finish past the closing Öldrikkari from Özker's ball over the top. With the deficit now matching their largest ever defeat - also at the hands of Tellia - Elwynn did their best to avoid a complete embarrassment and ensured no further goals were conceded on their way out of the tournament. Zajc went closest to adding a fifth, finding the roof of the net from a free-kick, as Elwynn's front three had limited service, with a Miskjalendzki header wide of the mark not troubling Di Maggio at the death.
After an underwhelming start, Tellia top the group with two clean sheets to their name, as Elwynn's sole draw puts them a point below Merenolitovina's two and sees them take the short journey north back home.
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Semi-final fixtures
Shireroth vs. Merenolitovina
Tellia vs. Craitland
Shireroth vs. Merenolitovina
Tellia vs. Craitland
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 17th July*
Semi-finals
Semi-finals
Coming from the tournament's group stage, the two teams had varying records, with Shireroth having topped their group with two wins and the Merenolitovinans scraping through in second with a pair of draws, and the hosts were favourites on form alone. However, Merenolitovina must have not read the script as they took the lead in a match for the first time this tournament before the quarter-hour mark. After a solid start to the fixture, Merenolitovina's offence caught the Shirerithians' young defence out at a corner, where a short pass was favoured over a delivery into the box, before the ball was swiftly moved across to Dovid Mahler at the edge of the area, who calmly curled the finish around a blocker and inside the right-hand post. Trailing on home soil for the first time this summer, Shireroth were fortunate to get away with going two-down minutes later, when Gavrel Levandovskiy was put through to finish only to be flagged offside by the narrowest margin. Despite this, the hosts grew into the half and were the better side by the time the break came around, and made their improvement count with about five minutes to spare with an equaliser. Kurt Lamberti, the team's attacking catalyst, held the ball up superbly after a punt downfield and allowed an overlap by winger Talsin Llwrran to be found thanks to a lay-off to Jalal Akwá. Llwrran took the ball to a tight angle but finished emphatically inside the near post, with the power of the shot giving Ben Szhmuel little chance to palm it out, and took the team into the break all square.Spoiler!
Shireroth's goal spurred them on in the second half, and the hosts began to look like the only team who would score again following a couple of appalling attempts by Merenolitovina's Levandovskiy and Bruno, where both strikers should really have done better. The hosts' primary influence was goalscorer Llwrran down the right, with opportunities to cross presenting themselves more frequently, albeit with no end product. Lamberti amended this around the midway point, however, as he hit his third goal in as many matches to put Shireroth ahead. A Llwrran cross was initially missed by attackers and defenders alike, and ran through to Rranr Kikksta who played the ball to Akwá. The 34 year-old grabbed his second assist of the match with a first-time touch to Lamberti, who needed no second invitation to sidefoot the ball into the net although only inches away from Szhmuel who reacted late. The Merenolitovinans, where credit is due, tried to rally themselves back into the match, but their earlier misses haunted them as a confident Shirerithian defence coped with what was thrown their way. In the end stages, the match was sealed beyond all doubt as a penalty ensured another two-goal advantage for Shireroth on their way to the final. Having only come on moments earlier, as a replacement for Lamberti who was applauded off, Gary Smith smashed home his first ever tournament goal after ten years' wait from the spot after Herzog was penalised for handball during a penalty box mêlée.
That goal, and subsequent result, puts Shireroth into the WMFA's showpiece event for the first time ever and ensures they will better their best ever finish of third (achieved on three occasions) regardless of the result against the winner of the other semi.
Contrasting fortunes in the group stage led to a titanic clash in this semi-final between two of Micras' most successful nations. With ten FMF titles between them, the Craits arrived as the lower-ranked side having fallen to the hosts after a convincing opening match win, while Tellia topped their group thanks to a storming victory over the holders after a humbling draw in their opener. The pair's last three encounters had seen a total of twelve goals, but there was nothing close to that prolificacy this time around as two evenly-matched sides met. Tellia started the match as the stronger team, with a front line consisting of Zajc, Uggè and Salmoiraghi creating chances against the Craits' back three. But for Francis Hjansen, Tellia could have certainly scored two before half time, as an Uggè header and Salmoiraghi volley were both tipped over by the stopper.Spoiler!
Craitland grew into the match more after the break, thanks to the introduction of Jan Mikelt, whose experienced head gave a more reliable option than the youthful pure pace of Juan Pellegrino down the left. Will Zóma, brought back in after missing the Shireroth game, performed well up top and was unfortunate to not grab a goal when his long-range shot hit the outer edge of Simone Di Maggio's left-hand upright. The Tellians were on the back foot for much of the last quarter of the match, with Ĵulian Ólsen pulling strings in the centre, but typical strong defending ensured their goal wasn't under too much threat. Tellia had the last chance of regular time, but Marko Zajc, sensing the headlines, put his effort across the face of Hjansen and his goal and well wide of the target, sending the scoreless draw to an extra thirty.
Extra time saw the Craits maintain their second-half pressure, and the addition of Freddie Gaärsen increased their chances, with the captain having a headed attempt find the side netting. Tellia created little in their last opportunity to win the match with eleven players on the pitch; a tired Zajc was unable to outrun Proteņ and Uggè's desire to take possession saw him drop deeper, and a further half an hour went by with no score. The resulting shoot-out was an unusual affair, with the Tellians unable to convert any of their four efforts; two comfortable saves for Hjansen were staggered with Armando Uggè firing well over the bar and Marko Zajc finding the foot of the post, as the Craits converted two of their first three and put it beyond their opponents' grasp. With Tellia eliminated, a rerun of the Group A clash will be the final in four days' time, with Craitland and Shireroth's respective first appearances at this stage ensuring a new name will be on the trophy come full time.
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
Third-place play-off fixture
Merenolitovina vs. Tellia
Final fixture
Shireroth vs. Craitland
Merenolitovina vs. Tellia
Final fixture
Shireroth vs. Craitland
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 21st July*
Having met twice in qualifying and again in the group stage only a fortnight ago, Tellia and Merenolitovina lined-up to face each other after semi-final despair; Tellia's penalty shoot-out collapse a closer encounter than Merenolitovina's regular-time defeat to the hosts. Having failed to win any of the past three, Tellia began the fourth positively, and scored just after five minutes' play. Gianluca Salmoiraghi's run down the left culminated with a cross inside which Sezer Özker met with a rasping half-volley to find the left side of the net. The dominant Tellians needed only 15 minutes after the restart to find a second, as a trademark Massimo Santoni free-kick sailed into the net. The midfielder cleared the wall accurately from 25 yards after Marko Zajc found himself bundled to the ground after rising for a header against Iser Schuldberg. Despite being outplayed, Merenolitovina created chances before the break, with Gavrel Levandovskiy their typical primary threat and forcing a save from Di Maggio.Spoiler!
The Merenolitovinans began the second 45 well, as they attempted to bring themselves back into the contest, with Levandovskiy going close through a header before the hour mark. However, the Tellian side were soon back in control, and extended their lead in the final twenty minutes. Massimo Santoni added to his earlier free-kick with a well-taken finish from close range after a Zajc delivery picked the 32 year-old out unmarked at the far post. As the match progressed, Tellia eased-off and allowed a consolation from Merenolitovina a few minutes from time, with Frenkel Bruno finishing-off a counter-attack after Levandovskiy had left Sgarbini behind with an injection of pace. Before the final whistle, the Tellian three-goal lead was restored with substitute, and ethnic-Ashkenatzi, Isaac Mahler placing a cultured finish inside the left-hand post after a short run forward into the "D".
Despite the victory, three-time winners Tellia recorded their worst Benacia Cup finish as had been guaranteed before the match, while Merenolitovina could only match the best result of fourth of their spiritual predecessor Ashkenatza in their first showing.
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Re: 2018 Benacia Cup
*Played 21st July*
Shireroth and Craitland entered their first Benacia Cup final together after the former's victory over the latter in the group stage eight days ago. The hosts have impressed in this tournament so far, with three convincing wins registered, while the Craits have found themselves fortunate to get this far having won their semi on penalties and coming off the back of consecutive games without scoring for the first time since 2006. However, it was Craitland who started strongest, as the dual-threat of brothers Alexis and Juan both had shots after cutting inside saved by Alejian du Nigrad. Having had a reduced role for Craitland so far this tournament, national captain Freddie Gaärsen started alongside Will Zóma for the final and the pair's partnership was an integral part in taking the lead ahead of the half-hour. The influential Ĵulian Ólsen in midfield forged a path forward, through a one-two with Gaärsen, before playing the ball square to Zóma who took it on first time; finding a minute gap between Venson and Stefánsson through which to lace the ball and put it past the left leg of du Nigrad. Despite this, Shireroth were far from outplayed in the first half, and were a threat the Craitish goal themselves, with Jalal Akwá clearing the bar from close range after a Llwrran corner was missed by the defence, but the score remained the same into the interval.Spoiler!
Shireroth were an instant hit after the break, and needed just five minutes to bring the scores level. Ramping up the pressure immediately from the restart, Sori Thiation led a move forward that saw Akwá peel away to the right to free up space for Llwrran's underlap, with the winger delivering again. This time the ball arrived on a platter for Kurt Lamberti, who forcefully headed the ball past Francis Hjansen as the stopper belatedly launched an arm out in an attempt to save. The equaliser swung the course of the remainder of the match, as Shireroth brought their way back into control of the ball. Lamberti was a trouble for the Craits' defence, twice breaking clear of challenges only to be foiled by Hjansen, while long-range shots from Thiation and Jóhann Viðarsson went close enough to bring the crowd to their feet but only found the outside of the netting. Craitland brought replacements in toward the end of the match to try and snatch a late win, but almost ended-up doing the opposite. Shireroth sub Sdeli Liurion had a chipped cross blocked by the arm of David Jansen with minutes to go, and a penalty was awarded against the now-booked right-back. Lamberti lined-up to take the kick, with a fifth goal to add to his top scorer tally beckoning, but the forward faulted in converting and his shot veered to the right of the net and past the wrong side of the upright. A couple of injury-time minutes followed Shireroth's missed opportunity, and, with nothing to change, extra time came about.
The additional half an hour put the hosts on the back foot, arguably stunned by having missed the last-minute penalty, and midway through the first 15 saw the Craits regain the lead. A rapid attack down the right had Alexis and Jansen combine, with the former breaking inside Arthur Schneider before slotting the ball across the box. The cross along the turf evaded a clearance from Venson and met the back-post run of Hänä Zensen. The midfielder, recalled to the starting line-up for the final, was on hand to guide the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner of du Nigrad's net. Going behind once again shook the Shirerithians, who were unable to fight back until the second period; a Legus daisy-cutter shot from outside the box trundled wide before Lamberti misguided a header into the stands. Ultimately, the Craits managed to hold-on to ensure back-to-back penalty shoot-outs were avoided, and a first ever Benacia Cup title was captured.
The celebrations saw captain Gaärsen lift his first regional championships, having been omitted from the victorious EMU 2011 squad, as Craitland won an official competition for the first time in seven years. An ironic twist meant that Craitland's last silverware also came in this very city by beating the same opponents, in the 2011 World Cup final. As it was then, this final appearance could become a strong stepping stone for the sport in eastern Benacia, as a new generation of Shirerithians could be inspired by seeing their heroes on home soil, while Craitland could see an opposite turn compared to 2011; with this becoming the start of a new era to compare to the Golden Generation of old.