The last day of Futsal Week Winter Cup U19, which was played in Poreč Croatia from 4th to 8th January, was dramatic as if it was written in a film studio!
Before the last day, France was three points ahead of Turkey. Thus, France needed at least a draw against last Slovenia to secure the title. But, even with a defeat, Tricolours could have won the title since they had much better goal-difference than Turkey, and their match has ended with a draw.
In the first match, Turkey needed a win against Belgium. The first half ended with a draw (1:1). However, in the second half Turks scored six goals and secured a dominant victory of 7:1.
This meant that the French should not have lost against Slovenia. They had to win or play a draw. France scored at the beginning of the match and ended the first half with 1:0 lead. In the second half, Slovenia equalized, but France has quickly responded and gained a new advantage.
But, Slovenia did not surrender. They needed a victory to secure the bronze medal. First, they struck back and equalized again and three minutes before the end scored an indirect free-kick for the final result of 3:2, bronze medal for them, gold for Turkey and despair for France.
Top goalscorer of the Futsal Week U19 Winter Cup was Zoltan Szalmas from Hungary with 6 goals, best goalkeeper Thibaud Garros from France and best player Berkan Mahmut Keskin from Turkey.
Tournament Best Starting Five: Thibaud Garros (FRA, GK), Mustafa Uysal (TUR), Abdou Mtsachioi (FRA), Berkan Mahmut Keskin (TUR), Zoltan Szalmas (HUN)
Tournament 2nd Best Starting Five: Reggy Bex (BEL), Gasper Trdin (SVN), Ilies Chriraa (FRA), Selim Meziani (FRA), Abd Ennoure Ben Ajina (FRA)
Videos and photo galleries of all matches find HERE.
Here are Fixtures and results:
04/01/2020, Saturday
16.00 Turkey – France 2:2 (0:1)
18.00 Hungary – Belgium 5:3 (3:3)
Free: Slovenia
05/01/2020, Sunday
16.00 France – Hungary 5:3 (3:3)
18.00 Slovenia – Turkey 3:9 (2:3)
Free: Belgium
06/01/2020, Monday
16.00 Hungary – Slovenia 0:4 (0:2)
18.00 Belgium – France 2:9 (0:2)
Free: Turkey
07/01/2020, Tuesday
12.00 Turkey – Hungary 2:3 (1:1)
14.00 Slovenia – Belgium 1:2 (0:0)
Free: France
08/01/2020, Wednesday
16.00 Belgium – Turkey 1:7 (1:1)
18.00 France – Slovenia 2:3 (1:0)
Free: Hungary
TABLE:
Turkey 211 20:9 7
France 211 18:10 7
Slovenia 202 11:13 6
Hungary 202 11:14 6
Belgium 103 8:22 3