| June 27-July 2, 2003 35th & 36th CHALLENGE CUP The Beginning of a new Rivalry |
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Friday, June 27, 2003
While Eddie & Jeff battled on two different pitches as designated leaguers, the rest of
the group continued the oldest club's tradition: the Challenge Cup.
A cruel drawn put face to face the Silva Brothers and Massimo vs. Miguel for a sort of
"early final".
Using the UEFA system for knock-outs stage, the four table-footballers played excellent
Subbuteo, scored fine goals, showed great sportsmanship.
In the first leg, Massimo secured his qualification with a classic 2-0 win and found the
net in the early 2nd leg to lower Miguel's ambitions. The Portuguese eventually tied,
but gifted Massimo with a mistake in his own penalty area that the Italian didn't refuse.
In the Silva Derby, Luis looked fine after the 3-1 win in the first leg and the early
advantage in the 2nd.
But 10 minutes of amnesia risked to ruin everything, when Frank scored FOUR goals
before the half time for a temporary 4-1 and qualification! In the second half, Frank
looked for more goals, Luis punished his greed and scored twice for the fantastic 4-3
final.
The last time MASSIMO and LUIS met in the final was the 31st Challenge Cup on March
21st. That night, the Italian imposed himself 4-0, but Luis had no intention to repeat
such a performance. With a fast counterattack, the Portuguese entered from the left
and chipped the ball right under the crossbar for a deserved 1-0 lead. Massimo tried to
reorganize his attack, to take his time in front of Luis' defensive wall. His patience paid
off and, in the early 2nd half, he was up 3-1. Luis' new attitude earned him praises
from the nation's top players. Silva scored again and closed Massimo in the penalty area
until the timer saved the Italian and brought him his personal 29th Challenge Cup title.
While Eddie & Jeff battled on two different pitches as designated leaguers, the rest of
the group continued the oldest club's tradition: the Challenge Cup.
A cruel drawn put face to face the Silva Brothers and Massimo vs. Miguel for a sort of
"early final".
Using the UEFA system for knock-outs stage, the four table-footballers played excellent
Subbuteo, scored fine goals, showed great sportsmanship.
In the first leg, Massimo secured his qualification with a classic 2-0 win and found the
net in the early 2nd leg to lower Miguel's ambitions. The Portuguese eventually tied,
but gifted Massimo with a mistake in his own penalty area that the Italian didn't refuse.
In the Silva Derby, Luis looked fine after the 3-1 win in the first leg and the early
advantage in the 2nd.
But 10 minutes of amnesia risked to ruin everything, when Frank scored FOUR goals
before the half time for a temporary 4-1 and qualification! In the second half, Frank
looked for more goals, Luis punished his greed and scored twice for the fantastic 4-3
final.
The last time MASSIMO and LUIS met in the final was the 31st Challenge Cup on March
21st. That night, the Italian imposed himself 4-0, but Luis had no intention to repeat
such a performance. With a fast counterattack, the Portuguese entered from the left
and chipped the ball right under the crossbar for a deserved 1-0 lead. Massimo tried to
reorganize his attack, to take his time in front of Luis' defensive wall. His patience paid
off and, in the early 2nd half, he was up 3-1. Luis' new attitude earned him praises
from the nation's top players. Silva scored again and closed Massimo in the penalty area
until the timer saved the Italian and brought him his personal 29th Challenge Cup title.
| June 27, 2003 Wallingford, CT XXXV CHALLENGE CUP Semifinals 1st Leg: MASSIMO 2-0 MIGUEL LUIS 3-1 FRANK Semifinals 2nd Leg: MIGUEL 1-2 MASSIMO FRANK 4-3 LUIS Final: MASSIMO 3-2 LUIS |
| July 2, 2003 Wallingford, CT XXXVI CHALLENGE CUP Group Stage: MASSIMO 2-0 LUIS FRANK 0-3 MASSIMO LUIS 5-1 FRANK standings: Massimo.......6 Luis..............3 Frank...........0 Final: MASSIMO 1-3 LUIS |
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
ASA President, Eric Walton from Durham, NC, saw that right. "Luis Silva is destined for
greatness", he said after the National Weekend in Hartford, CT.
Luis shocked the world when he beat Massimo Conturso 3-1 and claimed his 3rd
personal Challenge Cup title, just one behind his cousin, Miguel Marques. It was
Massimo's 4th loss from club's fellow members (0-1 Miguel, 1-2 Jim Taylor, 0-1 Ryan)
and the one with the highest goal-differential.
"Strange game", the Italian said. "I had my chances and missed them. He had his and
scored. That's Subbuteo".
Silva had an absolutely outstanding night and defeated Frank 5-1 in the Group Stage's
head-to-head for a spot in the final; Jeff 3-0 in the CT League. He lost the opening
match against Massimo on a 2-0 decision, in which, as Jim Taylor noted, Luis lacked in
good positioning and timing.
On the other hand, Silva's play in the final was almost perfect. He scored in the first
half, then resisted to the Italian's attacks until the 1-1 goal. Massimo thought it was
time to go for the victory, but he received a cold shower when Luis scored again right
after kick-off.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group finished to play their matches and gathered around
to watch the last few minutes of the final. When they heard the score was 2-1, they
thought it was Massimo's lead. After Luis' 3rd goal, Eddie checked the time and said "it
looks like we'll have overtime". Twenty seconds were left to play. "We are 3-1 Luis",
Massimo cried.
Immediately, an ovation started for Silva.
The timer beeped.
Luis has become the new Challenge Cup Champion!
ASA President, Eric Walton from Durham, NC, saw that right. "Luis Silva is destined for
greatness", he said after the National Weekend in Hartford, CT.
Luis shocked the world when he beat Massimo Conturso 3-1 and claimed his 3rd
personal Challenge Cup title, just one behind his cousin, Miguel Marques. It was
Massimo's 4th loss from club's fellow members (0-1 Miguel, 1-2 Jim Taylor, 0-1 Ryan)
and the one with the highest goal-differential.
"Strange game", the Italian said. "I had my chances and missed them. He had his and
scored. That's Subbuteo".
Silva had an absolutely outstanding night and defeated Frank 5-1 in the Group Stage's
head-to-head for a spot in the final; Jeff 3-0 in the CT League. He lost the opening
match against Massimo on a 2-0 decision, in which, as Jim Taylor noted, Luis lacked in
good positioning and timing.
On the other hand, Silva's play in the final was almost perfect. He scored in the first
half, then resisted to the Italian's attacks until the 1-1 goal. Massimo thought it was
time to go for the victory, but he received a cold shower when Luis scored again right
after kick-off.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group finished to play their matches and gathered around
to watch the last few minutes of the final. When they heard the score was 2-1, they
thought it was Massimo's lead. After Luis' 3rd goal, Eddie checked the time and said "it
looks like we'll have overtime". Twenty seconds were left to play. "We are 3-1 Luis",
Massimo cried.
Immediately, an ovation started for Silva.
The timer beeped.
Luis has become the new Challenge Cup Champion!
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