REPLAY: Eura vs Savojarna – the 34th Copa Rushmori Final…Live!- Live coverage from Lodger City Memorial Stadium, New Lodger City, Eastfield Lodge
- Venue sold out all 150,000 seats as Eurans and Savojars pack out
- Team news: Michael Brandon names unchanged Euran side from semi-final win over Saintland – one change for Savojarna
- Eura chasing third Copa title, Savojarna their second
- Reporting by Chris Edwards, Mia Bates and Harvey HallworthWelcome to REPLAY, where we dig into our archive to see how our live news feed reported famous sporting events as they happened. To mark the beginning of the 35th Copa Rushmori, we’ve focused in on our coverage of the previous Copa final, where Eura played Savojarna. We join the live feed just ten minutes or so before kick-off.18:48 - …thanks to our pre-game team and
Chris Edwards for covering the build-up. It’ll now be Chris,
Harvey Hallworth and me,
Mia Bates, to take us through these final minutes. Chris and I will be updating you on events at the Lodger City Memorial Stadium as they happen, and Harvey will be our stats guru.
18:49 - We’ll also be giving you select quotes from our commentary team in the stadium for EBC television, a stream of which you can access via this page if you live in Eura or the Overseas Territories and hold a valid EBC Pass. Tonight, our commentators will be the iconic
Terry Chamberlain, EBC lead commentator, and legendary former Euran international
Craig Sinclair, who won 286 caps and scored 114 goals for his country. They will be joined by former Savojarna captain
Kristina Midström bringing us the opposition perspective.
18:51 – The pre-game ceremony is wrapping up now, and I have to say the Eastfielders have hosted a fine tournament. There were maybe some doubts given the unusual metaphysical circumstances of its existence, but hey, Rushmore was open to giving it a try and everything has worked out fine. Chris still hasn’t found his sunglasses though. A reminder of the teams lining up tonight:
Eura name an unchanged 4-2-3-1 line-up from the one that saw off Saintland 1-0 at Vorgan Park. That said the team is a departure from Michael Brandon’s usual selection; Anthony Townsend and Stanley Burns missed the Saintland match through injury but, despite both being fit, have not retaken their starting births. Brandon is clearly relying on consistency in selection, the experience of Ben Hall, and Damion Bowman’s raw talent.
Savojarna come close to making this a repeat of the semi-finals for both teams in terms of line-up. However, they have made one change from the team that sensationally defeated favourites Nephara 2-0, with Linne Kjaer coming in for Simon Omark. That’s a big change at the back for Mikaela Rangren’s Savojars, who line up in their usual 4-4-1-1.
18:52 – For those who are out of the loop, this is something of a mismatch historically but could go either way on current form and ability.
Eura has become a giant of the game at all levels but is perhaps the most underachieving nation in the Copa Rushmori, at least relative to expectations, having won it only twice in the 23rd and 27th editions. They’ve lost three finals, the most recent a shock defeat to Pasarga in the 32nd edition having dominated the tournament.
At this Copa, Eura got out of their group easily with victories over The Askari Union and Falkyr, and a draw against Nephara. But in the knock out rounds they wobbled, relying on vastly improved second half performances to beat Cassadaigua and Saintland.
Savojarna have the opposite reputation, as a country with a rising reputation in world football, and a team who have only a short history of participation in the Copa – but one that is hugely successful in that context. Their memorable victory in the 31st edition final against Nephara was one for the ages, and they capped off a great run in this edition of the tournament by seeing off the Nepharim yet again at King Iqbal II Stadium.
It was a tighter game than the 2-0 scoreline suggested. Nevertheless, the Savojars took their chances well, Arvid Jotansson giving them the lead before Perttu Karjanen came off the bench to score a Dion Underwood-esque counter attacking goal to finish it. Can they repeat the same heroics tonight?
18:53 – Here’s what our commentary team have to say in the final moments before this huge final, as the players get ready to come out onto the pitch:
Terry Chamberlain, EBC TV commentator: “It really is a tale of two very different sides this. The Eurans have the heavy weight of expectation upon them to end a long drought in this tournament, and several older players for whom this might be a last shot at silverware. The Savojars will be more relaxed – they know that reputation and on-paper strength only matter for so much in 90 minutes. They have a decent record against Eura at the Copa. Still, I think Eura will edge it after extra time.”
Craig Sinclair, former Euran international, World Cup and Copa Rushmori winner: “It’s not easy being a Euran in a major final, and I should know. There are billions of eyes on you from your own country let alone anywhere else. I think Michael Brandon has been positive again tonight, he’s gone with a good balance of experience and pure ability and I think Eura should win. If they get the ball to Brian Bond up top he will score sooner or later. They’ve got to be careful though, this is an opponent who will have a lot of belief that they can do it.”
Kristina Midström, former Savojarna international, captain of their Copa Rushmori winning side: “When we won it a few years ago I remember the absolute jubilation it caused around the country. Well, the novelty didn’t have time to get old; if it happens again you’ll see parties on the streets once more. We’re stronger than last time too. Eura have some big names to contend with, but every one of Rangren’s men and women knows what they have within them. Jashkin is a hell of a player especially as any Farrenton fans know. I’m going to be optimistic – Savojarna to win in extra time and bring the trophy back to Sjoedrhavn!”
18:54 – It’s a beautiful stadium this. The info given to us by the hosts calls it the “crown jewel” of the nation’s stadiums and you can see why. There’s also a touching detail; over five million names are inscribed on the structure of the ground, each a victim of a notorious disaster here that devastated this city and destroyed the stadium that existed on this site before.
It feels almost mundane to use a place like this for football. Then again, what better way is there to move on? It worked for Oakstone. They’re ready to march out of the tunnel now. Here we go.
18:55 – Out come the two teams, followed by their managers, to a great deal of fanfare in front of an absolutely enormous 150,000 capacity crowd (both teams get a 50,000 allocation concentrated mainly behind the goals). Mikaela Rangren looks excited as usual. Who can blame her? Few would have expected her to reach the Copa final in her first tournament in charge. Michael Brandon is maybe a little calmer. He’s been here before.
18:56 – Here come the national anthems. Savojarna first.
18:58 – You’ve got to love a flag waving socialist anthem now and again, the International in this case. Sung heartily and with passion by the Savojars in the stadium, as is their nature. Now for the Euran anthem.
“
Ohhhh Eura, my own Eura, how dear is theeeee…”
OOC: To the tune of this, of course.19:00 – There’s something quite special about watching fifty thousand Eurans sing Ode to Eura. A wall of sound.
19:01 – Handshakes go off without incident. There’s been some geopolitical wrangling between Eura and Savojarna in recent years but little sign of it translating into this occasion like it has in matches past. It seems the hatchet may have been buried, on the pitch at least.
Enough pleasantries. It’s about to go off. Eura play in red and gold trim as per, Savojarna in blue with a distinctive red and white trim.
19:02 – Eura win the toss, choose to kick off, and do it so quickly I think half the stadium hadn’t realised play had begun. There’s a delayed roar of encouragement for both sides.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “You could tell from the way they set up at kick off that Eura are out to leave a mark on Savojarna here. Pouring straight into their half. Savojarna look a bit more closed up and will likely play direct and on the counter.”
19:04 – There’s little to report from the first couple of minutes. That’s often the case in major finals. No-one wants to be the first side to make a mistake.
19:05 – MISS - I spoke too soon! Eura get the ball in the danger area early as Damion Bowman drives a powerful cross into a tricky area for Savojarna, just outside their six yard box. It’s low and cleanly hit but Brian Bond’s shot is not. He’s wellied that well wide and should have done better.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “That was a beautiful ball, but I’m not sure what Bond thought he was doing there. He couldn’t get around it well enough for placement and didn’t seem to know how much power was going into the shot either.”
19:06 – We’re at a loss too up here. Bond is not usually profligate in front of goal. His importance to this Euran side cannot be understated; he’s got a comparable goals per game rate internationally to Needle, Oslograd, Campbell and Underwood. He offers a lot physically too though, with the strength of Oslograd and pace not far short of Underwood. It’s reasonable to argue he’s a unique player in the pantheon of great Euran strikers – not least because of the male modelling!
19:08 – Another venture forward by Eura who have definitely had the better of the first five minutes. Ben Hall overlaps Bowman on the left, cuts the ball back for the young winger, and watches as he tries to surge into the box. A solid Alexey Nurkanen tackle sees him lose the ball and Savojarna regroup. Nurkanen is going to have to play the game of his life tonight to deal with Bowman.
19:09 – SAVE - The second Euran shot comes from an unlikely source. Charles Roberts takes his chance from range which offers an easy save for Iiro Pakanen. Although Bond is the key man up front it is worth remembering this Euran team can score from anywhere. They’ve scored fourteen goals in six games this tournament. Bond is top scorer with three. Woakes, Underwood and Bowman have two apiece. Five players have one goal to their name, Roberts included.
19:11 – A little better here from Savojarna who create something for the first time. Only a half chance, Mikhail Jashkin sending a long ball into the right channel for Morten Poulsen to run onto, only for Poulsen’s cross back to Arvid Jotansson to be easily collected by Kevin Belgrave. An early sign of the danger Jashkin causes in particular.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “Beware Mikhail Jashkin above all. Ben Hall really needs to be on it throughout or the Farrenton man will do something.”
What does “something” mean, Terry? Hold up a bank until Belgrave lets a shot in?
19:12 – CHANCE - Almost an incident of commentators – I mean, err, reporters – curse. Just as I imagine the thought of Jashkin wearing a black and white hooped shirt and carrying a bag of swag out of a vault, he instead chooses to rob Hall of possession. Jashkin charges forward and cuts a low ball across goal. Fortunately no-one is there to steer it in.
19:14 – Eura take a couple of minutes to settle down and regain control. Bizarrely we are made to wait twelve minutes for the first foul of the game as Liam Armstrong is cut down by Victoria Maersk. The battle of the box-to-box midfielders will be an interesting one to watch.
19:15 – CHANCE – Rhys Griffiths can be so, so deadly when he gets going. He sets off on a run down the right and leaves Matts Pedersen in the dust, then cuts back inside Linne Kjaer, and curls a quality ball towards the back post. Bond is there and is only denied a goal by Pakanen punching the ball away. Eura then win a couple of corners which come to nothing. Savojarna need to be careful not to let Eura have so many set piece opportunities.
19:17 – CHANCE - Bowman heaves another ball deep into the box and Moira Woakes manages to reach this one, but she can’t get a clean head on the ball and it runs out for a throw in on the other side. Technically that was an attempt on goal and not a very good one.
19:18 – Kjaer gets into a spot of bother at the back and tries to pass back to Pakanen but under-hits the back pass. Bond bears down on the loose ball furiously but Pakanen just about gets there to lump the ball into the crowd.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Savojarna need to show a bit more intent here. There’s a lot of pressure building and it feels like Eura are going to take one of these chances eventually.”
Kristina may be right. Just as she finished speaking, Bowman was on hand to deliver another cross, and Kjaer’s awkward clearance almost went into the top corner. The corner is a good one but Pakanen gets to it first.
19:19 – BOOKING – We have our first yellow card of the final. Matts Pedersen has been struggling so far against Griffiths and Joonas Andersson has tried to help by providing support on the left flank. Andersson goes in late instead and earns himself a booking, and gifts Eura a free kick in a good position. Good opportunity this. Bond is standing over it…
19:20 – SAVE – Outstanding strike and an even better stop. Bond has gone for power at about 30 yards, hit the ball well towards the top right hand corner, and Pakanen has done brilliantly to get up and tip that over the bar. Eura’s corner comes to nothing. Other than that Jashkin flurry ten minutes ago it’s been one way traffic.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “That would have been a contender for goal of the tournament – what a huge save by Pakanen.”
19:22 – MISS – Missed opportunity for Eura and Liam Armstrong is absolutely fuming. He’s done everything right, dispossessing Maersk with a well-timed tackle, exchanging a quick one-two with Monica Rowland to bypass Andersson and then played in Griffiths. The Revolutionaries player is alone on the inside right of the penalty area, has all the time in the world to pass across for Bond to score, and opts instead to shoot across goal. Pakanen lets it go wide. Armstrong exchanges choice words with Griffiths.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “What was Griffiths thinking there? You can’t be that naïve in a major final. Just take the clearest option, don’t go it alone and waste that good a chance.”
19:24 – We have some respite for the first time after a late tackle on Krister Voynov means medical attention is required. Both teams need a pause it seems and are getting tactical instructions from their managers. Rangren is looking pretty animated.
19:25 – And we’re back on. Rowland has a pop from outside the area. The shot goes over the bar.
STATS – Eura have had all six attempts on goal so far, two on target and four off target. They have had all four corners. Can Savojarna get out of their own half?
19:27 – After that talking to from their head coach the Savojars are looking a bit more positive. Still, Eura are controlling the game.
19:29 – SAVE – Griffiths on the wing, rolls the ball off for Coles, he gets the most out of his veteran legs to clip a ball through the legs of Pedersen, whips it across the box and there’s Brian Bond! Straight at the keeper. Weak shot too.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “Brian Bond will not be happy with himself. That was a poor finish even if the angle was tight. Eura might regret not taking advantage of their current dominance.”
Craig can speak from a lot of experience after his illustrious career. He looks quietly anguished as an Armstrong corner from the left floats harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
19:31 – Finally a shot for Savojarna who have barely got out of their half for twenty minutes. Maersk goes it alone, beating Armstrong with her strength and apparently superior willpower. She shoots from too far out for it to be a problem as the ball trundles wide. Nevertheless it’s a start.
19:33 – It’s quietened down a lot here in the Memorial Stadium. There’s not been much to celebrate for either side. The overwhelming feeling is one of tension.
19:35 – BOOKING - Hold on, Eura are back on the front foot and Kjaer has given them a free kick in a great position with Savojarna’s sixth foul of the half. The Dynamo Sjoedrhavn defender didn’t look comfortable holding off Bond as he received a Rowland pass, and ended up clearing him out from the side. An easy decision for the referee to give her a booking despite Maersk’s protests. This is 25 yards out and a couple of Euran players are lingering over it…
19:36 –
GOAL!
EURA 1 – 0 SAVOJARNA – BRIAN BOND (34)WHAT A BANGER.
Absolutely no chance for Pakanen as
Brian Bond demonstrates why so many Euran clubs want to bring him home. The Eastweald striker hits this one with less force than his earlier effort. However the placement is spot on, a postage stamp strike into the top left hand corner that dips just in time to go under the bar. Pick that one out! Advantage Eura.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “What a screamer!”
19:37 – Bond’s celebration summed up the man better than any article, book or documentary. He jogs leftwards away from his teammates, initially not reacting, then raises his right arm and blows a kiss and a wink to the cameras. Bond is exactly the kind of arrogant so-and-so Euran football lacks all too often. He backs it up with results too.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “What does Rangren do here? For a minute it looked like we’d make it to half time then change but that’s not happened. She’ll need to be careful not to lose the game before the break.”
19:38 – It’s a good question and one that gets an answer as Savojarna sink into their own half further. This is surely an attempt to avoid going two down. Less than ten minutes to half time plus stoppage.
19:39 – CHANCE – So unlucky! Eura win a corner which seems to have gone nowhere having been headed away easily by Roman Forsberg, who has so far been Savojarna’s best player. It then lands at the feet of Armstrong, who curls a shot back at goal first time that has clattered into the crossbar and come back out again. Forsberg reacts quickly to clear for a second time in moments. Savojarna clinging on here.
STATS – Harvey points out that, as far as we can remember, Bond has never scored a free kick for Eura before and only taken a handful. Hard to see that staying the same after this half of football.
19:41 – Forsberg launches a long ball deep into Eura’s half and Jotansson has used his height well to win it ahead of Roberts. He takes the ball down and could go further. Unfortunately Jotansson’s aerial ability is not matched by his pace and Roberts soon catches up to nick the ball back and put Eura back on the attack.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Jotansson needs to do a lot better than that if he’s going to play in another game this big again. Sigurdsdottir is out of form, sure, but she’s got more quality. I think she’ll come on sooner rather than later at this rate.”
19:44 – The first half is now winding down a bit. Eura have had nine shots to Savojarna’s one. No-one in blue looks happy. Nurkanen clips Bowman’s ankles in frustration. He’s lucky that the subsequent indirect free kick is floated harmlessly over the box and out of play.
19:45 – Savojarna get the ball forward a bit only to run into a wall of Euran defenders and the midfield dropping back rapidly. Rowland is orchestrating the whole thing beautifully. If it goes on like this there’s only going to be one winner.
19:46 – MISS – If I were Forsberg or Pakanen I’d be giving Morten Poulsen an earful right now. The playmaker has dropped back to support the defence as stoppage time approaches. He clatters Woakes from behind and is fortunate not to be booked when Forsberg looked set to take the ball off her ankles. The referee waves play on as Eura still have the ball; however the chance isn’t taken by Griffiths who snaps up the loose ball and laces it just wide.
19:48 – We are into three minutes of stoppage time and everything has slowed down. Savojarna have strung a few passes together – they look so much better when they play the more intricate style we’ve been used to prior to this tournament. They’ve got an opportunity for a long throw though.
19:49 –
PENALTY – SAVOJARNAUnbelievable.
19:50 – BOOKING - Actually, no, it isn’t unbelievable. This is
exactly what Eura do every time they reach a World Cup quarter final or semi-final. After dispatching quality opposition, playing beautiful football, scoring sensational goals and putting themselves in prime position to win a trophy, they lose their head and throw it away.
That’s what’s happened here as the throw in is harmlessly bouncing out of play, when Voynov sets after it. Blake has stepped across, apparently to shepherd the ball out, only to stick in a loose leg and clear out Voynov. It is a completely idiotic thing to do for player who has won the UICA Champions Cup, Gold League and Copa Rushmori. Eura don’t protest the decision, how could they?
To Voynov’s credit though, nothing would have come of that throw in if it wasn’t for his persistence in the face of adversity. Victoria Maersk has the chance to score a huge goal here for her country.
19:51 –
GOAL!
EURA 1 – 1 SAVOJARNA – VICTORIA MAERSK (45+2)Victoria Maersk buries it to Belgrave’s left. By her compatriots admission, she’s not a top class player in any single aspect. As a leader though Maersk is the finished article in every sense – there was not a glimmer of nerves as she stepped up to take the penalty.
19:52 – Eura pile forward to try and nab a second before the break. The ball bounces out harmlessly.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “How do Eura pick themselves up from that?”
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “That’s why Maersk is the captain. She leads by example.”
19:53 –
HALF TIME
EURA 1 – 1 SAVOJARNAHarvey Blake is looking very guilty as he trudges off. Rightly so.
19:55 –
STATS – Eura had 64% of the possession in that half, ten of the twelve attempts on goal, all six corners and committed half as many fouls as their opponents. And yet the scores are level.
19:57 – There’s been a lot of social media reaction which you can find covered on our “Involvement” feed. In the meantime we’re looking at a 20:05 start to the second half, so while you wait, here’s a reminder of the teams:
EURA – Belgrave, Coles (C.), Roberts, Blake, Hall, Rowland, Armstrong, Griffiths, Woakes, Bowman, Bond (GOAL 34)
SAVOJARNA – Pakanen, Nurkanen, Forsberg, Kjaer, Pedersen, Maersk (C., GOAL 45+2), Andersson, Jashkin, Voynov, Poulsen, Jotansson
20:00 – The bench players for both sides are warming up and if there’s one thing that gives Eura the advantage tonight it’s their strength in depth. Michael Brandon has so many options. Stanley Burns, Dean Steele, Anthony Townsend, Frank Bevan, Vincent Robshaw who has just won the Champions League with Northern Union, and veteran star Oscar Coltrane. That’s not even getting to the strikers. Fletcher, Fox and Sutton are all good enough to start at top clubs and Underwood’s age doesn’t change that he has world class quality.
Savojarna are by comparison a lot less blessed with real quality to bring on and have a smaller squad. Then again you could say their first team is a lot weaker on paper as well, and yet here we are, 1-1 at half time of the Copa Rushmori final. Eura dominated the opening period but that sickening twist at the end has opened up the game massively.
20:03 – Both teams are now back in the tunnel. The second half beckons. Here’s the thoughts of our commentary team:
Terry Chamberlain, EBC TV commentator: “I can’t imagine Michael Brandon will be too pleased with the way Eura have thrown away their lead, or that they only scored once. He and his players have to keep their head though. They have experience, quality and fitness on their side. I’ve watched Eura in ten major finals now and they’ve lost six of those; this doesn’t feel like number seven despite the equaliser.”
Kristina Midström, former Savojarna international, captain of their Copa Rushmori winning side: “I don’t think it was actually the best half for Savojarna in terms of the performance, Eura were on top as expected but at times it looked like my compatriots were going to struggle to get anything from the game. Now it’s completely changed. The moment that penalty went in I think it lifted a huge weight off their minds. I still think it would be wise to make a change or two early in the second half to sustain momentum. Eura are a good team but we know they’ve got a wobble in them, the question is how long will it last.”
Craig Sinclair, former Euran international, World Cup and Copa Rushmori winner: “You’ve got to feel for Harvey Blake right now. He’s going to be distraught. There are a lot of positives though for us – for forty minutes Eura were well on top. If we can maintain the same level for most of the second half and take a couple of chances then we’ll win. Savojarna must be buzzing though, what a moment that penalty was. They’ve got a chance now when the game should have been gone earlier.”
20:04 – SUBSTITUTION - The players are back out and we are ready to go. Savojarna have made a change by the way; Linne Kjaer has been rocky all game and is replaced by the talented prospect Polina Zirkova. A huge moment for the 22 year old who has reportedly attracted the attention of Ulsa’s scouting team. This could be the first time Euran audiences watch a new Frank Ainsworth.
In 45 minutes, longer if the scores are tied after that time, there will be a new champion of Rushmore.
20:05 – Seconds after kick off, Rowland and Maersk run into one another and both come off worse for wear. There’s a fleeting exchange of minor vulgarities between them as the referee makes sure it all stays peaceful. Is this a sign of things to come?
20:07 – CHANCE – Almost a total disaster at the back for Savojarna and their young substitute Zirkova. Zirkova is an adventurous sort considering she’s a centreback and that’s almost her undoing as she loses the ball on the edge of the centre circle to Rowland. The former Nephara captain quickly punches through and lays the ball off for Woakes on her left to run at the box. Woakes gets close and cuts the ball back for Bond, but just as Eura’s primary threat shapes to shoot, Forsberg is in with a brilliantly timed slide tackle and Pedersen hoofs clear.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Twenty two million people will have had their hearts in mouths there. Zirkova is the most talented young defender we have but she’s just that, young, and that means she’s going to make mistakes.”
20:08 – SAVE – Much, much better from the Savojars. Maersk has been everywhere tonight and she’s done well here to set up Poulsen with space to shoot on the edge of the area. He’s normally a good finisher, yet can only hit a tame sidefooted effort straight at Belgrave. Even so that’s their first shot on target from open play which can only be considered an improvement.
20:10 – Better from the young Zirkova as well now. Bowman caused havoc at points in the first half and this time he’s driving in from the touchline towards the box leaving Nurkanen behind. Zirkova comes across and puts in a resolute challenge that forces Bowman back, and Nurkanen is able to clear.
20:12 – MISS – Bowman goes direct this time, attempting a shot from range. It flies over by a couple of metres.
20:15 – This half has been slower so far. It’s also been more equitable. Savojarna look considerably more comfortable on the ball than before and are playing more instinctively as a result. Mikaela Rangren seems to have compromised on her direct style and its had a positive impact.
Of course, just as I was typing that, Andersson sends a pass straight to the feet of Woakes, who then launches a shot from range that sails wide. A timely reminder that Eura have the capability to threaten from anywhere.
20:18 – We haven’t had a notable chance since Poulsen’s shot so Chris has gone to get me a coffee. All quiet on the Eastfield front.
20:19 – Now, this is interesting. Savojarna are lining up a second change after just 59 minutes. It must be another tactical switch.
20:20 – SUBSTITUTION – Coles concedes a throw in and here comes the change. Freya Sigurdsdottir is coming on for Arvid Jotansson who has been anonymous as Kristina Midström suggested might happen earlier. Big gamble this – the 33 year old could give Savojarna more bite and has plenty of experience, but she’s not been scoring and when she does it tends to be against weaker teams.
20:21 – SAVE – Finally Mikhail Jashkin is coming into the game properly. He’s been the only player in the last five minutes to threaten much, and has just stung Belgrave’s palms with a fizzing shot from 20 yards. The Directus keeper diverts the ball behind for a corner…
20:22 – …which he intercepts gracefully. Belgrave releases his team onto the counter with a long throw. Bowman gets beyond the half line before mixing up his feet and the ball goes out for a throw.
20:23 – Jashkin threatens again, this time forcing Ben Hall into retreat with a silky dribble at the edge of the box. He then flicks the ball on for Nurkanen who is bombing down the right on the overlap and the right back sends in a whipped cross that Blake heads away.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “Savojarna are vastly improved compared to the first half. We have a real game on here.”
20:24 – INJURY – Eura have got a problem here. They’re off on the counter when Bowman goes down and holding his calf. He doesn’t seem to be in a huge deal of pain and is soon back on his feet, however it’s not clear he will be able to continue.
20:25 -
GOAL!
EURA 1 – 2 SAVOJARNA – MIKHAIL JASHKIN (65)Oh dear. Now Eura have two problems because the Savojars have two goals, and it’s a stunner from
Mikhail Jashkin. Vindication for Rangren as her tactical gambit pays off. Poulsen crosses from the left after taking a free kick quickly, and Sigurdsdottir is well positioned to head the ball beyond Roberts and Blake as they both rise to it. Jashkin waits at the back post on the right. He chests the ball down, and crisply drills the ball on the volley into the top left hand corner, through Hall’s block and Belgrave’s attempt to make himself big at the near post.
b]Kristina Midström on EBC TV:[/b] “Wow! Underdogs, they said...what a turnaround!”
20:26 – Michael Brandon paces in silent fury as he is prone to do. Just like that it’s Savojarna who are about half an hour from being champions of Rushmore again, the same number of times as Eura – who have competed at this level for much longer. This will be a serious test of the Euran team spirit, that’s for sure.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “Make no mistake; this is the most serious test of Michael Brandon’s management of the Euran national team so far. No-one begrudged him for the Farfadillis defeat in the World Cup. Losing a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes of dominance in a Copa final would be less easily excused.”
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “Jashkin’s finish is irresistible. I would have been proud of that one”.
High praise there for Jashkin from Sinclair, a footballing icon. I think Jashkin would happily trade it for the final whistle blowing now.
20:28 – CHANCE - A Euran double substitution is on the way which should surprise no-one. They’ll be allowed to make it after the ball goes out of play, Poulsen curling a shot just wide from outside the area.
20:29 – SUBSTITUTION – Right, Bowman is off which is a big blow, as is Rhys Griffiths who has been wasteful in front of goal. On come two veterans – Dion Underwood and Oscar Coltrane. If Eura don’t reach the final of the coming World Cup this could be their last chance at international silverware. No pressure then.
20:31 – Eura have switched to their classic 4-2-2-2 rather than pushing Bond out left to fit the 4-2-3-1. Coltrane will play on the right and Woakes on the left with Underwood partnering Bond up front. No sign that it’s worked yet.
20:33 – SAVE - Okay, that is more like it. Bond controls a ball forward from Hall magnificently with his left boot, performs a skilful flick over the head of Nurkanen and Woakes sprints on to it. She gets close to goal and shapes to shoot but Forsberg and Zirkova do an excellent job of narrowing her shooting angle. Pakanen saves without difficulty.
20:35 – Eura have their first corner of the second half, which has definitely been Savojarna’s better period. Armstrong sends it to the near post and Blake heads on. Sadly there is no-one at the back post to get another header on target.
20:38 – SAVE, CHANCE – After a quiet couple of minutes Savojarna have a couple of corners where they threaten to end the contest. Sigurdsdottir’s header is punched over by Belgrave from the first, and Forsberg volleys miles over the bar from the second. We are now in the 78th minute and Eura desperately need an equaliser. They need to produce something.
20:39 – MISS - Jashkin flashes a shot into the side netting when he’s given a second too long inside the box by Hall, who has not played brilliantly. Belgrave goes long with the goal kick, and Eura are away on the counter again...
20:40 – CHANCE – Goodness me, how have Eura not scored there! Forsberg and Zirkova are completely let down by their fullbacks who haven’t got back from the previous attack and its four on two. Coltrane has the ball and picks up a surprising amount of speed for a 34 year old, galloping deep into Savojar territory before passing to Woakes. Woakes does a stepover or two and throws Zirkova off balance, allowing her to pass – only she doesn’t, instead hesitating, before being charged down by a retreating Andersson. What a waste.
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “It’s so frustrating that we haven’t scored there, what was Moira playing at? They’ve got to get a grip sharpish.”
20:41 – MISS – The game is really livening up in the final stretch as Eura realise this is getting away from them. More complex interplay ends with Coltrane having a shot from a tight angle that sears through a crowd of bodies and only millimetres over the bar. Eura need to produce something
now. They get another corner which comes to nothing.
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “If Savojarna hold on here it will be in no small part thanks to that second half centreback pairing of Forsberg and Zirkova. Apart from Zirkova’s near calamity when she came on they’ve been superb.”
STATS – We need to double check the accuracy of this, but according to our records Dion Underwood has scored more goals in the last ten minutes of games for Eura than any other player since Lee Sharp. If anyone can produce something here it may well be him.
20:42 – BOOKING - A long ball reminiscent of first half Savojarna achieves nothing for second half Savojarna. Belgrave hurries to get the ball way after catching it. Poulsen deliberately obstructs him and is booked for his trouble. Belgrave gets it up the pitch yet again; Eura aren’t playing out from the back any more.
20:43 – A lot of depressed faces in the red, blue and gold portion of the crowd right now. In stark contrast the Savojars are having a wild time.
20:44 – BOOKING – Pointless. Roberts cynically takes out Poulsen on the halfway line and goes into the book. Both Euran centrebacks are now booked which is another problem for Brandon. Savojarna try to get the ball into the Euran box only for Belgrave,
again, to grab the aerial ball before anyone can meet it. Belgrave has heftily launched this up field from the edge of his box…
20:45 –
GOAL!
EURA 2 – 2 SAVOJARNA – OSCAR COLTRANE (85)It’s there! Genius from Belgrave, from Underwood and finally from
Oscar Coltrane! Belgrave’s drop kick is wonderfully placed into a gap for Underwood to sprint on to. The 34 year old striker still has enough in him to run at track and field speeds for short periods and does so here, zipping past Forsberg and Nurkanen.
About 20 yards from goal Zirkova has been less slow and positioned herself to slide in. Underwood anticipated the challenge, hit a beautifully timed pass rightwards to Coltrane, and watched with delight as the Sabrefell Athletic icon laced an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner from the edge of the box.
20:46 – I’m not sure if our commentary team have recovered yet from the drama of that goal. Let’s go back to them in a minute. In the meantime Savojarna have picked themselves up quickly to kick off and get down the other end but a Voynov cross is hoofed out for a corner by Coles.
Rangren is still shaking her head, clearly unhappy at the lack of organisation and defensive work rate that allowed Eura the opportunity to score. In Savojarna’s defence, when Eura pull together a move like that, there isn’t much anyone can do about it.
20:47 – Coltrane’s goal makes extra time highly likely now so I expect we won’t see either side use their third substitute right away. Our commentators are back:
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Heartbreaking. Rangren is right to be angry. What a goal though.”
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “I’m so proud of Ozzie. That’s the biggest goal of his career and he’s scored a few. Great work by Kevin and Dion too in the buildup.”
20:48 – Terry Chamberlain has just said something rather insightful. We didn’t catch the exact quote, basically though it appears that Scott Coles orchestrated that amazing counter attack from right back. On the replays he can clearly be seen having a word in Belgrave’s ear before the Savojar free kick came in, and he had instructed Underwood and Coltrane to both stay up for it.
STATS - That’s Oscar Coltrane’s first goal in a major international final. What a time to score it.
20:50 – Once again there’s a lull as both sides probe for a way through. I think that we are definitely going to extra time now. Only three minutes of stoppage time.
20:52 – MISS - Nothing more happens until the dying seconds when Mikhail Jashkin sets up Andersson for a shot. The defensive midfielder is not exactly a goalscoring machine and shows it with his skewed effort wide of the post.
20:53 –
FULL TIME – MATCH GOES TO EXTRA TIME
EURA 2 – 2 SAVOJARNA20:55 – Be honest. How many of you predicted it would come to this? We’re going to take a five minute break before play resumes.
STATS – Eura dominated the first half. The stats suggest Savojarna had the better of the second, reducing Eura’s hold on possession down to 57%, taking eight shots compared to Eura’s six. Savojarna also won four corners after having none in the first half, while Eura won only two.
21:00 – Ok, we’re back. Thanks to Harvey for that reflection on the stats. I know its cliché, but it has to be said that this has been a game of two halves and the numbers show it. The teams are back out. No substitutions have been made. Thirty minutes plus stoppage remain. If we’re still level after that it goes to penalties.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “I can see this coming down to either penalties or one team taking a single chance. If anyone scores in extra time they’ve won it.
21:03 – A bizarre start to extra time here in Eastfield Lodge where, in the first few minutes, I don’t think either team has got close to the others penalty area. Since the Coltrane goal the game has petered out.
21:05 – CHANCE – I spoke too soon. A mazy run from Poulsen ends in a good tackle by Blake. Unfortunately the ball rolls to Pedersen on the overlap who chips a masterful cross into the box. It’s at the perfect height to be met by Sigurdsdottir only for Roberts to head it out for a corner. Coles intercepts the corner easily and Eura break away.
21:07 – CHANCE – That really is dreadful by Bond who in fairness hasn’t threatened for a while now. The counter attack ends with the ball at his feet inside the box, and all he can do with it is drag a lame shot into the feet of Forsberg who clears.
21:08 – I don’t think this will go down well online:
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Brian Bond? He’s just a fancy Arvid Jotansson.”
Did she miss Eura’s first goal or…? I’m only kidding of course. Kristina has been the star of the show for our team tonight if the social media feedback is anything to be believed.
21:10 – SAVE – Close! I’m not sure what more Underwood could have done there. He’s placed a sublime shot as far as possible into the bottom right hand corner, and Pakanen has done a great job getting down to tip it around the post. Armstrong’s corner is then met by the head of Zirkova who has been having the game of her life at the back.
21:11 – Underwood is caught offside in a subsequent attack a minute later. Remarkably we’ve only seen five offside calls all game, three Euran and two Savojar.
21:13 – CHANCE - Exquisite piece of skill by Bond who isn’t done yet by any means. He rolls the ball from left to right foot like it’s stuck to him by some kind of invisible glue to keep Forsberg guessing. Then he slips it between the centre back’s legs, makes a trademark powerful run around him, and gets into the penalty area with only Nurkanen and Zirkova threatening to stop him.
Bond unselfishly decides not to risk a shot and lays the ball off for Woakes who has cut inside but she is too slow to the ball and Bond can only watch as Pedersen runs in to get there first.
21:15 – There’s one more shot from Woakes who tries to lob Pakanen ambitiously. It’s an easy save and going over anyway. That is the end of the first half of extra time.
HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME
EURA 2 – 2 SAVOJARNA21:18 – Some final input from our commentators as we briefly pause for half time in extra time, they’ve been discussing what the managers will be doing (or should be doing) at this very moment:
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “If I were Michael Brandon I’d be thinking about finishing this off now. Savojarna look tired and haven’t done anything for ten minutes. Eura have the quality to finish the job here, they just need one good chance and to take it. You don’t want the lottery of penalties.”
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “It’s been a difficult fifteen minutes for Savojarna. I think Mikaela Rangren maybe just needs to give them a bit of a calm talk compared to her usual stuff; tell them to keep going, keep plugging away and just look for that one opening. Eura have a mistake in them and as Craig said they’ll want to avoid penalties. Savojarna should take advantage of that and hit them on the counter.”
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “That tactical question, about whether to go for it in the last quarter of an hour or accept this is going to penalties and prepare for that psychologically…it’s a tough one. Savojarna have a great mentality to them and team spirit and are under less expectation than Eura. On the other hand Eura have a strong record historically in penalty shootouts. If I were either manager I’d forget about that until the last couple of minutes and just focus on eking out a set piece or something to break the deadlock.”
20:20 – SUBSTITUTION - Ok, the break is over and we’re now into the last fifteen minutes. Savojarna have made their choice; they’re going to try and nab a winner on the counter-attack and avoid opening up. An exhausted Matts Pedersen is swapped out for Niklas Hoyberg.
The Savojars switch to five at the back – Andersson drops into the defence with Hoyberg plugging the gap alongside Maersk in the centre, while Krister Voynov is asked to deputise at left back in Pedersen’s place. Poulsen has now drifted out to the left, leaving Sigurdsdottir alone up front. Eura are unchanged.
20:22 – MISS - Almost an immediate impact from the change. The five player backline steadfastly blocks off a Euran advance and acts as the base for a counter. Poulsen is clearly exhausted meaning Jashkin, who is still moving a lot on the right wing, bears the brunt of responsibility. He runs onto a long ball forward down the right, waits for Hall to commit to a challenge and then effortlessly drifts past him. He loops in a cross that Sigurdsdottir gets to first – her header goes just wide.
20:23 – Eura lose the ball as they try to play out and it’s with Jashkin again. He’s been exceptional tonight. The Farrenton midfielder tries to cut inside to shoot, and finally Hall gets the better of him, the Oakstone defender putting in a well-timed challenge to dispossess his opponent. There’s a roar of approval from the Euran portion of the crowd.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “It hasn’t come up a lot from us tonight here at EBC. To confirm, the crowd here in the Memorial Stadium is as good as it sounds to you at home. Both sets of fans haven’t stopped singing all night.”
20:25 – SUBSTITUTION – Only ten minutes remain and Eura have decided to make their final change. It’s a little bit of a risk actually as Harvey Blake makes way for Anthony Townsend who will play on the right wing, allowing Coltrane to play centrally as Eura switch to three at the back. Townsend is a decent penalty taker but given the change in formation I don’t think this is a case of Brandon playing for penalties.
20:26 – SAVE – OH MY WORD! That’s surely the save of the tournament by Kevin Belgrave.
A total cock up at the back for Eura – sound familiar? – as Roberts attempts a foolhardy through ball from defence that goes straight to Maersk. The Savojar captain reacts quickly despite her tiring legs and clips the ball away to Jashkin who is immediately away. Hall chases and Woakes doggedly tracks back – it doesn’t matter, Jashkin is bearing down on goal.
He gets to the box, one on one with Belgrave who decides against rushing out and stands his ground on the edge of the six yard box. At a roughly 45 degree angle to the right of the goal at the edge of the box, Jashkin looks likely to win the Copa Rushmori for Savojarna with a well hit curling finish into the top left hand corner. Belgrave is a big lad and still wouldn’t be expected to save this. Yet he does – full stretch, acrobatic dive slightly diagonal and backwards, flicking the ball over the bar with his glove. Sensational.
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “Phenomenal bit of goalkeeping that, reminiscent of his father. Surely that was the chance for Savojarna?”
20:27 – I have to say, Jashkin has been non-stop all game, now though he looks deflated for the first time. That was crushing. He’ll look back on that one for a long time. He rushes over to take the corner and hits it well. Belgrave is there to dominate the ball yet again.
20:29 – Eura are now getting forward and it looks like that’s the way it’s going to stay. They only need one opening, though I suppose Savojarna thought the same.
20:30 – MISS – Frustrating. Townsend rifles a shot low and hard and it goes just wide when he had three people in the box to pass to.
20:31 – The clock is ticking down now and Eura are passing it about a lot without any end product. Four minutes remain…
20:33 – A couple of aimless shots from Woakes and Armstrong fail to find the target. More time ebbs away.
STATS – Only a third of Eura’s shots have been on target tonight, compared to half for Savojarna. A disappointing performance from that perspective.
20:34 – SAVE – That was it. That was the chance. Brian Bond is set up by the cross Woakes has been looking for all game, a whipped effort that finds him 10 yards from goal. It’s a good header, down at the keepers feet, but Pakanen does well to save it with his right foot and Forsberg clears
again. Both keepers have been on top form.
20:35 -
FULL TIME IN EXTRA TIME
EURA 2 – 2 SAVOJARNA
THE MATCH GOES TO PENALTIES20:36 - Penalties it is. Harvey has produced final stats for the 120 minutes of play plus stoppage time:
GOALS – EUR 2 – 2 SVJ
POSSESSION – EUR 59% - 41% SVJ
SHOTS ON TARGET – EUR 8 – 6 SVJ
SHOTS OFF TARGET – EUR 15 – 6 SVJ
CORNERS – EUR 9 – 6 SVJ
FOULS COMMITTED – EUR 12 – 17 SVJ
OFFSIDES – EUR 4 – 2 SVJ
YELLOW CARDS – EUR 2 (Blake, Roberts) – 3 SVJ (Andersson, Kjaer, Poulsen)
RED CARDS – EUR 0 – 0 SVJ20:37 – It must be so tense for the players down there right now. Final thoughts from our commentary team:
Craig Sinclair on EBC TV: “There’s no way you can really prepare for a penalty shootout other than mentality training. Technically, it’s not a difficult task. Both teams should just pick the five people who look most confident and collected.”
Kristina Midström on EBC TV: “Savojarna have come such a long way to get here, this would be a cruel way to lose – and a thrilling way to win. It’s down to chance now.”
Terry Chamberlain on EBC TV: “If you were thinking of going to the toilet around about now, I’d recommend you don’t. Or do, if you’re of a nervous disposition, for the sake of the living room carpet.”
20:38 – That is just classic Terry Chamberlain. A Euran hero.
20:40 – The shootout is happening in the goal down to our right, with the Euran fans behind it. I doubt for professional footballers it makes much difference but, if it were me, I’d want to shoot at the opposition fans. They can distract you but they can’t look disappointed if you miss.
We’ll drop the time stamps now as there’s little point. Eura to take first. It’s going to be Brian Bond…
PENALTY – SCORED! BOND (EUR 1-0 SVJ)I don’t think that was ever one Iiro Pakanen could save. Bond looked supremely confident as always and hammered it into the top left corner.
Savojarna’s first taker will be Sigurdsdottir. She’s taking her time…
PENALTY – SAVED! SIGURDSDOTTIR (EUR 1-0 SVJ)Belgrave to the rescue yet again and Eura have an early advantage! He dives to his left and saves well from a decent but not unstoppable spot kick. Sigurdsdottir kicks the turf in annoyance.
Can Liam Armstrong double the advantage? He’s a good penalty taker, but famously missed one in stoppage time against Free Republics, dumping Eura out of the World Cup…
PENALTY – SCORED! ARMSTRONG (EUR 2-0 SVJ)No problem at all for Armstrong. Cool as a cucumber, he dispatches it into the bottom right corner. Pakanen almost got there.
The pressure is really on now for Victoria Maersk.
PENALTY – MISSED! MAERSK (EUR 2-0 SVJ)Disaster for Savojarna. Their ever reliable captain – who scored a penalty to equalise earlier - steps up after a short run up and takes a side footed shot against the right hand post. Belgrave went the wrong way, not that it matters. Maersk has her head in her hands as she walks back while Belgrave punches the air.
If Anthony Townsend scores this, Savojarna can’t miss another.
PENALTY – SAVED! TOWNSEND (EUR 2-0 SVJ)A lifeline for Savojarna now, Townsend’s penalty is poor and Pakanen saves with his feet again! Great effort from him, poor from Townsend.
They have to take advantage of this now. It’s going to be Poulsen.
PENALTY – SAVED! POULSEN (EUR 2-0 SVJ)YES! Sorry, my neutrality has wavered a bit there. Poulsen goes right and Belgrave goes to (his) left, clawing away what was a good penalty and in all likelihood winning Eura the Copa Rushmori. An incredible moment for the Directus keeper. This is harsh on Savojarna – a penalty shootout was always going to be a cruel way to end such a competitive final.
Oscar Coltrane can win the Copa Rushmori if he scores here.
PENALTY – SCORED! COLTRANE (EUR 3-0 SVJ)
EURA WIN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT 3-0COLTRANE SMASHES IT DOWN RIGHT AND MIDDLE AND PAKANEN CAN’T GET THERE! THEY’VE DONE IT!
EURA WIN THE 34TH COPA RUSHMORI