2016 Benacia Cup

[V.V. Fabbri]

This is the official thread for this summer's Benacia Cup, to be held in Elwynn between 9th July and 23rd July! The final draw has taken place, with the tournament's two groups looking like this:

Group A
Elwynn
Karalakh
Shireroth

Group B
Craitland
Nordzibola
Tellia

Team are now open to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), and these must be received by Monday July 4th to avoid FMF player selection. Fixtures and dates shall be announced shortly!

[V.V. Fabbri]

*Played 9th July*

Group A

Elwynn 2-1 Karalakh
17' - E. Lejlunai
44' - E. Chagayev
90' - J. Qukeliquu

Hosts Elwynn snatched an important victory over tournament newcomers Karalakh in the opening match thanks to a late, late strike from the bench. An impressive start for the home side was capped-off with a goal in the first quarter of the game, as Arvið Frå Bakkinon and Dånjal ut ur Aldin's combination down the left created an opening for Yngvi Miskjalendzki, whose well-timed reverse found an incoming Erdasher Lejlunai to shoot low into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the area. The Elwynnese tried to build on their lead as Karalakh struggled to keep-up with the tempo, and were unlucky to see Rinat Nurgaliev excellently turn a Miskjalendzki header onto the post from point blank range five minutes later. Karalakh equalised against the run of play as the break loomed, with a Alkhat Djangirov-led counter ending in an unmarked Elementy Chagayev slotting between Folki Öldrikkari's legs. The teams were more evenly matched after half time, with Karalakh's goal injecting some belief. Chagayev powered inches wide from distance while Razdjani Emiri forced another quality save from Nurgaliev in the half's best chances prior to injury time. With essentially the last kick of the match, Jens Qukeliquu, who had only come on five minutes earlier, was in the right place to sidefoot high into the net from six yards as Ut ur Aldin's corner evaded everyone. Karalakh will be gutted to let a point slip, being the underdogs in the group, and will need a result in three days' time to avoid a guaranteed early exit, but Elwynn now have a major advantage knowing they've passed their potential banana skin.

Group B

Craitland 6-2 Nordzibola
9' - F. Gaärsen
19' - Ĵ. Ólsen
36' - F. Gaärsen
51' - L. Jonmikeltsen
58' - J. Iņvaärsen (o.g.)
63' - F. Gaärsen
77' - L. Jonmikeltsen
84' - K. Degroot

Craitland comfortably won their opening match, but conceded two uncharacteristic goals against a weak Nordzibola side to ask questions of their chances. Going into the tournament as the lowest-ranked team, and facing two former World Cup winners, Nordzibola were aware of the challenge ahead, and Craitland took less than ten minutes to take the lead. Freddie Gaärsen was laid through by Ĵulian Ólsen and squeezed the ball in one-on-one before returning the favour ten minutes later with a drag back for Ólsen to emphatically hit home from the centre of the box. Craitland's dominance continued through the half and Gaärsen doubled his tally with a tap-in after Jón Zyxveldtsen turned Frank Dewit inside-out before delivering a low cross. After the break, the Craits effectively sealed the game by making it four; Ólsen's influence extended further with his chipped pass being controlled well by Lydveldt Jonmikeltsen and then deftly touched past Jo Van Der Haagge. Shortly after, Nordzibola dragged a goal back via a Craitish error. Rik Van Vore showed a touch of pace down the left and whipped a cross in which was deflected into his own net by Johaņ Iņvaärsen as he tried to intercept. Craitland soon restored their four-goal lead when Gaärsen hit his hat-trick; Jan Mortensen's run downfield ended with a cross which Jonmikeltsen headed straight at Van Der Haagge who parried right into the path of Gaärsen, who had an easy finish from close range. Craitland chose not to let-up and added a sixth with under 15 to go; Jonmikeltsen adding his second of the match out-muscling Jos Degroot and beating Van Der Haagge at his front post. As the match dwindled down, Nordzibola made the scoreline slightly more respectable by grabbing a second when Kevin Degroot latched-on to a wayward Daniel Hjansen backpass and finished with an intelligent first-time stab as Kraig Johansen chased and failed to react. A big win for Craitland regardless, but they will need a stricter defence against Tellia, who will be expected to overcome Nordzibola easily in the group's next match-up despite the minnows' scoring exploits.

[V.V. Fabbri]

*Played 12th July*

Group A

Karalakh 0-0 Shireroth

Karalakh frustrated a dominant Shireroth side to record their first ever tournament point, but will need to hope for an Elwynnese victory in the final group game to stand a chance of advancing. Shireroth performed well and will be disappointed to not be going up against Elwynn on an equal points tally after having the lion's share of the game's chances. Karalakh once again have the keeping heroics of Rinat Nurgaliev to thank for keeping them alive, with the stopper's acrobatics stopping a combined three clear-cut opportunities for Kurt Lamberti, Talsin Llwrran and sub Sdeli Liurion. Karalakh were underwhelming at the opposite end of the pitch, however, and a terrible Kamil Galimov miss was their best opening; the forward skying his effort way over the bar with an attempted first-time half-volley. Shireroth must be cautious against the hosts and bitter rivals Elwynn in three days, but at least their fate is still in their hands unlike the débuting Karalakhis, who now face an anxious wait.

Nordzibola 0-5 Tellia
28' - M. Zajc
71' - G. Salmoiraghi
74' - A. Uggè
86' - A.L. Peruzzi
90' - A.L. Peruzzi

Tellia's rout of Nordzibola saw the underdogs knocked-out at the first hurdle, but the scoreline fails to tell the story of match. Off the back of an intriguing opener, Nordzibola entered the tie with an air of positivity against a Tellia side still missing the presence of Sezer Özker, and were well worth their money in the first half. While Marko Zajc broke the deadlock midway through, with a long-range daisy-cutter finding its way past Van Der Haagge, Nordzibola's passing moves and attacking intent earned them praise from the pundits at half time. Tellian-based Rik Van Vore worked Simone Di Maggio into a strong save within the first few minutes and was unfortunate to not latch-on to a sublime through ball from brother Jonas with the defence rooted soon after. Zajc went close to doubling the score near the end of the half, as his free-kick looped onto the roof of the net, but Tellia were held well enough that they failed to actually get a shot away from inside the area in the opening 45. The Nordzibolans aimed to continue their style into the second half, but Tellia seemed happy to use possession to their advantage as the more attacking Riccardo Ganau was sacrificed for Júlio Romána's preference of sitting deeper. Nordzibola struggled to create as many chances after the break, and Tellia's more conservative approach worked in wearing them down as they tried to regain the ball. Tellia eventually added a second with around twenty minutes to go, with Gianluca Salmoiraghi using his explosive pace to break into the box and swerve a powerful finish into the bottom corner, and the floodgates began to open. Salmoiraghi turned provider three minutes later; a similar burst forward ended with a chipped cross this time for Armando Uggè to chest down under no pressure and fire home. Uggè was replaced after scoring, the result beyond doubt now, and Andrea Luca Peruzzi was given a chance to make an impression. In the final five minutes, Peruzzi exploited the Nordzibolans' exhaustion, with some close control allowing him to create a gap to cushion the ball in after being played through by Zajc, before a one-two with Salmoiraghi undid the defence once more and allowed the 26 year-old to sensationally lob it over Van Der Haagge from a narrow angle. A close game in terms of initial play, but quality shone through in the end and resigned Nordzibola to a second heavy defeat in three days and elimination. While we know both semi-finalists from Group B already; Tellia and Craitland, the pair will fight it out next time for the honour of topping the table and an arguably easier draw.

[V.V. Fabbri]

*Played 15th July*

Group A

Shireroth 0-2 Elwynn
22' - Y. Miskjalendzki
29' - Y. Miskjalendzki

Elwynn won a second tournament finals game for the first time with a confident performance which knocked rivals Shireroth out and topped the group for the host nation. In a tale of two strikers, Elwynnese Yngvi Miskjalendzki netted a brace while Shireroth's Kurt Lamberti missed a penalty and saw red in an eventful fixture. Despite starting well, Shireroth were undone by a Peyman Eslamzadeh masterclass in the centre of the park, with the midfielder claiming the assists for both goals. A quick counter saw Eslamzadeh break through and square to Miskjalendzki, who emphatically put the ball past a scrambling Alejian du Nigrad for the opener halfway through the 45. Within seven minutes, the score was doubled. Håkon hin Ældri was floored down the right side and Eslamzadeh's resulting free-kick was met by a rising Miskjalendzki to push a header into the ground and inside the undefended far post from the middle of the area. Shireroth regained momentum going into half time, however, and Fjalar Stefánsson's speculative effort was tipped over by Öldrikkari just before the break. As the second half got underway, Shireroth failed to grab a goal back before the hour mark despite being given the opportunity on a plate. Sdeli Liurion found a route into the box but was fouled by an overzealous Johanns Raun Oðð challenge and was awarded a spot kick. Kurt Lamberti, so many times Shireroth's hero, slammed his effort over the crossbar, however, and was well jeered by the home crowd as a result. As Elwynn increasingly looked less likely to concede, playing an impressive brand of football not normally associated with the underachievers, Lamberti's frustration got the better of him and he was given a straight sending-off for a crude late foul on substitute Ramund hin Ungi who had to be replaced himself as a result. With their primary attacking threat barred from the field, Shireroth were unable to create anything to realistically give them a chance in the final ten minutes and Elwynn eased a good win out to win the group. Shireroth, on the other hand, will head home with no goals to their name and must watch as inexperienced débutants Karalakh go through to the knock-out stages.

Group B

Tellia 2-1 Craitland
37' - L. Jonmikeltsen
45' - M. Santoni
73' - A.L. Peruzzi

Tellia came back from behind to steal the group's first place as the two already-qualified Micrasian giants faced-off in a confederational finals for the first time. An expectantly close game was trademarked by both sides struggling to better the other's defence, with slowly-built moves being behind the chances that were created, and deliveries from the wings being kept to a minimum as ærial battles favoured both sides' strong back lines. Craitland sculpted the first significant shot of the game, and surprisingly scored from it, before the break. Hänä Zensen's instinctive first-time pass through beat the Tellian defence's attempts to press and Freddie Gaärsen beat the offside to gain possession in space, where he swiftly laid the ball sideways to Lydveldt Jonmikeltsen to finish into a half-empty net as Simone Di Maggio was caught in no man's land. While the goal took a while to be scored, a second soon followed as Tellia equalised with essentially the final kick of the half. Marko Zajc's powerful run upfield was illegally halted by Jan Mikelt, was was carded, and the winger took his own free-kick. The Craits' wall did its job, but the redirected ball fell to Massimo Santoni, who scored a goal from the top draw with a stupendous half-volley which flew across the box and into the top-left corner from at least 25 yards away. The second 45 saw Craitland introduce striker Will Zóma, while Tellia had similar ideas as Andrea Luca Peruzzi replaced the ineffective Uggè after his impact play in the last game. Craitland played attractively in the second half, forging more openings than before, with Di Maggio keeping Zóma at bay and witnessing a Jón Zyxveldtsen effort clip the outside of his post. Tellia, although still guaranteed group winners with a draw, pushed for the victory as the half progressed, and Peruzzi scored his third of the tournament with just under twenty to go. Zajc was again influential, skipping his way past Daniel Hjansen before squaring a cross. Peruzzi was there to meet it, as was Johaņ Iņvaärsen, but, as the ball wedged between the pair for a split second, Peruzzi was better placed to react quickest and managed to place it into the bottom corner via the palm of a diving Kraig Johansen. Craitland, needing to make it three to win the group, kept going, but Gaärsen's attempts failed to trouble Tellia in the final stages and the holders kept their 100% record into the semi-finals. Craitland will now go up against the hosts, while Tellia face a still relatively unknown quantity in Karalakh for a place in a fourth consectutive final.

[V.V. Fabbri]

*Played 19th July*

Semi-finals

Elwynn 1-1 Craitland (AET; Elwynn win 4-3 on penalties)
75' - R. Emiri
89' - J. Mortensen

Elwynn continued their fantastic finals run with a penalty shoot-out victory over pre-tournament favourites Craitland to seal a spot in a second successive Benacia Cup final. The hosts were buoyed entering the game, having knocked rivals Shireroth out in their last outing, while the Craits were aiming to regain momentum after a defeat to Tellia four days ago. However, a tedious first half played-out as neither side was able to break the other down in a decisive way. Current tournament joint-top scorers Freddie Gaärsen and Lydveldt Jonmikeltsen were unable to link-up to their usual efficiency, and only the former had a noteworthy effort on goal before the break; tearing through the Elwynnese defence but lacking composure and skying the ball. Kraig Johansen at the other end had two stops to make, with a pair of simple catches from Yngvi Miskjalendzki headers. Following the break, Elwynn looked the more dominant side with Håkon hin Ældri and Dånjal ut ur Aldin exploiting space out wide to forge runs forward and create chances. The Craits relied on countering during this pressure, and a Hänä Zensen strike was saved by Öldrikkari after a Jón Zyxveldtsen stroll forward. With quarter of an hour to go, the hosts went ahead. Although Razdjani Emiri had the decisive touch, the goal was a product of Miskjalendzki's skill; the forward outgunning Daniel Hjansen before curling the ball over Johansen and onto the crossbar, where Emiri was able to head into the unguarded net from the rebound. Elwynn's goal riled Craitland and the first real waves of attack were seen in the game. As Elwynn backed-off to hold-on, Gaärsen and then Zensen cursed the woodwork as both hit the same post in the space of four minutes before an equaliser came with a minute to go. Jan Mikelt was brought down by Lejlunai and the unassuming figure of Jan Mortensen stepped-up to clear the wall and avoid the bar to swerve a devilish free-kick in from just outside the "D". While the end of the ninety offered some excitement, extra time was a cautious affair as neither side wished to blow their chance at the last hurdle. Emiri went closest of anyone, forcing Johansen to save with his body at a narrow angle. With the arrival of penalties, two early misses from the teams were forgotten about thanks to Folki Öldrikkari's fantastic save from Craitland's final shot to put them into the final in front of their own fans on Saturday, as the Craits go to contest third place.

Penalties
Y. Miskjalendzki - Missed
F. Gaärsen - Scored
R. Emiri - Scored
T. Isrdlvarien - Missed
P. Eslamzadeh - Scored
H. Zensen - Scored
H. hin Ældri - Scored
J. Zyxveldtsen - Scored
S. Samuelsson - Scored
O. Dermäna - Saved

Tellia 4-1 Karalakh
16' - G. Salmoiraghi
26' - A.L. Peruzzi
39' - G. Salmoiraghi
62' - I. Gimatov
87' - M. Zajc

Tellia saw-off underdogs Karalakh with a strong display to set-up a final against Elwynn for a second Benacia Cup in a row. The match never really looked beyond doubt, with Tellia's 100% group record being contrasted by Karalakh's sole group point and having advanced on goal difference, and the holders were in charge from the kick-off. Having been somewhat of a revelation in the Karalakhi goal in the tournament so far, Rinat Nurgaliev was called into action from the off against Tellia and his palms stopped an early lead from the boot of Peruzzi, who had earnt a place in the starting line-up ahead of Uggè. It didn't take long for a Tellian goal, and Gianluca Salmoiraghi was the one to score it; a move inside from the left flank thanks to some close control was finalised with a sweeping low shot across the face of Nurgaliev's goal and the ball found its way inside the far post. A second was ten minutes in coming, with Salmoiraghi strengthening his influence on the left to deliver a cross to Marko Zajc, whose touch inside fell straight onto the laces of Andrea Luca Peruzzi to rifle home from ten yards with the Karalakhi defenders stunned. While Zajc could have grabbed one for himself to make it three before half time, his long-range free-kick looped just over the bar. Salmoiraghi, whose stock seems to be constantly rising, did however make it three by grabbing his second later on; another turn of pace undid Ansel Akhatov and a first-time strike from another pinpoint-accurate Zajc pass put the ball through the 'keeper's legs and in. The second 45 saw the arrival of the oft-maligned Luigi Donatello in place of Peruzzi, but the youngster performed maturely as a sole striker in his first taste of these championships. While the Tellians had less urgency to score more, with some misplaced passes being received by groans from the stands, Nurgaliev was still kept busy, primarily by Zajc. With half an hour to go, Karalakh managed to pull a goal back from a corner; their only one of the encounter. Eldar Khamatov's swinging delivery was met by Irek Gimatov's forehead as the forward beat Pasquale di Montezemolo for air and the ball was well placed into a gap in the net. The game quietened after Karalakh's goal, but there was still time for Zajc to get himself on the scoresheet - albeit not for the want of trying - as the winger was put through one-on-one by Donatello's flick and tucked the ball away nicely as Nurgaliev failed to close. Although Karalakh's largest defeat, the result still means they will play Craitland for third in four days' time, while Tellia will be enthused by the opportunity to win a fourth consecutive regional title in a rematch of the 2014 final with switched hosts.

[V.V. Fabbri]

*Played 23rd July*

Final

SPOILER: Click to show

Elwynn 1-1 Tellia (AET; Elwynn win 4-1 on penalties)
36' - A. De Laurentiis
83' - Y. Miskjalendzki

A second penalty shoot-out in as many games earned Elwynn their first ever Benacia Cup against a Tellia side that wasted their chances of winning a fourth successive title. The final was billed as a rematch of 2014's showpiece, albeit with Elwynn hosting the face-off instead of Tellia two years prior, and predictions were far from unanimous following the rest of the tournament. Elwynn reached this far thanks to a confident victory over neighbours Shireroth in the group stage and a semi-final against Craitland decided on penalties, while Tellia beat Craitland themselves in their group and decimated Karalakh in the last round to make yet another decider. Tellia were undoubtedly the better side in the first half, as Elwynn struggled to retain possession in their attempts to break through the well-drilled Tellian defence. Within the first half an hour, Elwynn had stopper Folki Öldrikkari to praise for stopping Andrea Luca Peruzzi twice as the striker aimed to take charge of the championships' top scorer spot. Elwynn did force a save from Simone Di Maggio, however, as Dånjal ut ur Aldin's shot needed to be deflected away. With ten minutes to go before half time, Tellia went ahead, with Alessandro De Laurentiis finishing the the back post. Marko Zajc went wide as the entire team pushed forward, and his cross met Gianluca Salmoiraghi who nodded it further towards the left, where De Laurentiis was further up than usual, and the defender was able to control and strike with his left boot, firing the ball across Öldrikkari to bounce inside the opposite post in a goal of high quality. Elwynn had to wait until the second half to forge an attempt at a comeback, with Tellia holding their lead into the break, with Yngvi Miskjalendzki being used as a target man. Regardless, Tellia were still the team in charge, and Peruzzi's inaccuracy led to frustration as the forward hit wide with two very good opportunities after being played through. Elwynn began to create chances more frequently after the hour mark, and following the addition of Svante Samuelsson upfront, with the replacement's snap-shot being tipped over the bar midway through the 45. With less than ten minutes remaining, Miskjalendzki snatched an equaliser after a period of pressure on Tellia's net. Håkon hin Ældri was the architect, making his way into the area before being tackled, while Peyman Eslamzadeh's choice to lay-off a first-time pass instead of shooting left Miskjalendzki with time to compose himself and direct the ball past Di Maggio along the ground. The Tellians continued to look for a second, this time to regain the lead, and brought attacking outlets on in the form of Luigi Donatello and Armando Uggè, but were unable to snatch the win in normal time. An additional thirty minutes came, but Elwynn's incentive lay in soaking-up pressure and few attacks were formed by the hosts. Tellia persisted in their offensive tactics, but were unable to utilise their abundance of forwards as the Elwynnese defence swamped them. Uggè had the most clear-cut chance, but couldn't direct his header towards goal enough to trouble the 'keeper. Once penalties were confirmed, the Elwynnese fans were notably louder than their Tellian counterparts, creating a passionate atmosphere in the taking end. While both sides scored their respective first shots, Tellia fell apart and missed two in a row as Elwynn's players consistently hit home hard and true. The hosts' fourth and decisive penalty was struck by defender Abbas Madani, who beat Di Maggio even though he dived the right way, and the victory was claimed. This will arguably go down as Elwynn's biggest sporting achievement, with a nation where football isn't even the most popular sport beating a people whose culture is powered by it, and brings an end to Tellian domination of the Benacia Cup for at least two years.

Penalties
Y. Miskjalendzki - Scored
A.L. Peruzzi - Scored
S. Samuelsson - Scored
M. Zajc - Missed
P. Eslamzadeh - Scored
A. Uggè - Missed
A. Madani - Scored