The football tournament of the European Universities Games Zagreb – Rijeka 2016 is slowly coming to an end. The quarterfinals were played at FC Rudeš, FC HAŠK, FC Lučko and FC Svetice, and the winners are facing the match that will bring them closer in their battle for medals.
In a tense game at FC Rudeš, the University of Minho beat the team from the University of Camilo Jose Cela after a modest, but a finale-worthy goal from Victor Ribeiri for a final score of 1:0.
The Portuguese players entered the game better, and Diogo Araujo and Antonio Dameida constantly created opportunities near the opponent’s goal. They failed to score thanks to great defending by Ivan Jose Navarro Bernandos, and the Spanish players only managed a few counter attacks in the first half. After the break the more determined Spaniards had a few opportunities near the Portuguese goal, but the Portuguese defense, led by their captain Bruno Correio, stood firm against the Spanish attack.
The captain of the Portuguese team commented on today’s match:
‘It was a tough game between two quality teams. I think the better team triumphed in the end.’
There were opportunities on both sides, but the only goal was scored in extra time. It was the deflection by Victor Ribeiri, a Portuguese substitute, which doomed the Spanish team.
‘Today’s game was very difficult, as we had expected, because the Spanish team is very good. We started the game a bit tensed, but as soon as the boys started playing it was only a matter of time before we scored a goal. I think we were better today and deservedly won,’ said Michael Ribeiro, the coach of the University of Minho.
‘I would like to congratulate the team from the University of Minho for playing as well as we did, but they had more luck in the end. That’s football for you,’ said Jose Diego Elcoroiribe Gabilondo, the coach from the University of Camilo.
The University of Bochum beat the University of Montpellier with the same result. The only goal of the match was scored by Dennis Ljibba in the 53rd minute.
‘Two great teams played the game. We missed some great opportunities in the first half. Bochum, on the other hand, had a chance to score even sooner, but our goalkeeper saved us several times,’ said the assistant coach of the French University of Montpellier after the game.
‘The game was not as difficult as we had expected, but the French were very motivated. We didn’t manage to score from a few good opportunities in the first half, but I think we dominated in the possession of the ball and we had a good defense, which resulted in a win in the end,’ said Radu-Andrei Maldea, a player from the University of Bochum.
The vice champions from last year’s European Universities Championship, the State University of Kuban, defeated the University of Babes – Bolay 2:0 on their way to the semifinals. The Russians scored both goals in the second half of the game, with Dmitry Potapenko scoring in the 55th, and Viet Han Ngoc in the 70th minute.
‘It was a tough game. The Romanians are a good team, but we are happy with the result and thinking about the semifinal,’ said Manuk Nanukian, showing respect for their opponents.
A Croatian derby was played at FC Sesvete between the University of Osijek and the University of Zagreb. The first part of the match was marked by missed opportunities from the Zagreb players, and then a goal by the team from Osijek at the end of the first half. In the second half they took advantage of all their opportunities and deservedly won with a score of 4:0.
The captain of the Osijek team was happy with their game:
‘The guys from Zagreb were a little better in the first half, but we had a strong defense. In the locker room we agreed that he had to be stronger and use every chance we get. And we used the three real opportunities and scored another three great goals. I would like to congratulate my boys and the coach, this is a great success for us, and now we are going for gold,’ said the captain Matej Ljubas.
‘This was our derby, two teams who know each other very well. We started the match very carefully, and everything opened later on. After this 4:0 win, I can say that we are very optimistic and we have our eyes set on winning the tournament. I hope we will play as well as we did today and win first place,’ said Osijek footballer Marin Ištvanić.
