A great victory for France against Portugal
It was a second day that offered many surprises: France won against Portugal and maked history. The first was the draw reached by Italy against Spain two minutes before the end of the second game. The 4-4 changed the values in the standings and partially puts Italy back into play. Italy had gone ahead 3-1 with three goals on Cocco’s direct shot, then Spain had reached the tie in the second half and overcame with the goal of Alabart and Bargallo, but Ambrosio tied the game.
Germany won 5-1 against Andorra and raised their heads after the defeat against the hosts Of Portugal: three goals by Zilken.
In the last game the great surprise of the day. “Les Blues” won after a tremendous first period, where the brothers Roberto and Carlo Di Benedetto score 2 goals that broke the match. Only in the second period, Portugal returned in the game with Rodrigues; but France Goalkeeper, Bonneau, saved several shots and the result. In the last 5 minutes, the home team tried to tie the game but another goal of Roberto Di Benedetto take the victory (3-1). In the last minutes other 4 goals with Alves and the brothers for the definitive 5-3.
France leader in the European Championship after the victory agianst Portugal
The second victory means the leadership of the European Championship probably the first time in history, the unique team not beaten. For France, the last victory was in Montreux in 2007 but the last victory in an European Championship was in 1932.
Carlo and Roberto DI Benedetto have now the same goal score in the standing, six goals, but Carlo has also 2 blue cards already taken and if he take another one, he will be suspended for one day.
Today the “match-clou” is Portugal-Italy, the last chance to hope the gold medal match for the italians.
2nd matchday – Tuesday 16th November 2021
Italy x Spain = 4-4 (3-1, 1-3)
Italia: Gnata, Ipinazar, Ambrosio, Cocco, Verona – Illuzzi, Gavioli, Malagoli, Compagno, Barozzi – Coach: Bertolucci
Spain: Malian, Panadero, Barroso, Alabart, Bargallo (C) – Font, Perez, Carballeira, Aragones, Grau C – Coach: Cabestany
Scorers: 1p: 13’31” Font (dir.shot) (S), 14’31” Cocco (dir.shot) (I), 15’38” Cocco (dir.shot) (I), 22’15” Cocco (dir.shot) (I) – 2p: 6’20” Alabart (S), 19’24” Alabart (dir.shot) (S), 21’05” Carballeira (S), 22’48” Ambrosio (I)
Penalties: 1p: 14’31” Carballeira (2′) (S), 15’35” Font (2′) (S) – 2p: 6’57” Malian (2′) (S), 8’30” Bargallo (2′) (S), 19’24” Ambrosio (2′) (I)
Referees: Torres (PT) and Duarte (PT)
Andorra x Germany = 1-5 (0-3, 1-2)
Andorra: De Sousa, Miquel G (C), Miquel L, Antequera O, Dilme A – Antequera A, Picanyol, Dilme N, Cerqueda, Xicola – Coach: Lluis Ferran Ballart
Germany: Hilbertz, Strieder, Thiel, Karschau (C), Zilken – Platz, Hages, Rath, Rindfleisch, Kreidewolf – Coach: Wahlen
Scorers:
1p: 5’47” Thiel (G), 10’44” Zilken (G), 12’31” Strieder (G)
2p: 8’05” Zilken (pen.) (G), 14’29” Dilme N (A), 22’32” Zilken (G)
Referees: Fernandez (SP) and Le Menn (FR)
France x Portugal = 5-3 (2-0, 3-3)
France: Bonneau, Di Benedetto B, Herman, Di Benedetto R, Di Benedetto C (C) – Le Berre, Debrouver, Gefflot, Savreux L, Audelin – Coach: Savreux F
Portugal: Girao, Magalhaes, Nunes H, Silva J, Alves – Rodrigues (C), Rafael, Rafa, Pinto T., Henriques – Coach: Garrido
Scorers: 1p: 2’12” Di Benedetto R (F), 9’50” Di Benedetto C (F)
2p: 0’35” Rodrigues (dir.shot) (P), 19’28” Di Benedetto R (F),
Penalties: 1p: 23’36” Di Benedetto R (2′) (F) and Alves (2′) (P) – 2p: 0’35” Di Benedetto C (2′) (F)
Referees: Fronte (IT) and Mayor (SP)
STANDING
France 6 p (+5), Spain 4 p (+11), Portugal 3 p (+10), Italy 1p (-3), Germany 3p (-6), Andorra 0p (-15)
