| CHALLENGE CUP June 24, 2002 |
| An unforgettable Challenge Cup took place tonight in Farmington, CT. After a very balanced first round, in which half of the games was scoreless, the night had its peak in the final round. Miguel and Jim (1-0 in head-to-head) finished both at second place with 5 points, behind Massimo with 10. Instead of playing a full play-off match to decide who was going to challenge the Italian, they played shoot-out, in which the goalies became the main players: the Portuguese won over the Scot 2-1. In the final, Miguel played his best match ever, dominating the Italian with pressing, ball possession and perfect defensive flicks. Massimo felt the pressure and didn't capitalize the few chances the Lusitano gave him. He was also very lucky when, in overtime, Miguel hit the top of the upper corner with a beautiful chip after a corner kick: it would have been a historical golden goal. The shoot-outs were pure adrenaline, with the goalies uncapable to stop the powerful shoots. After the regular five, the score was 4-4. The first overshoot-out saw the mistake from the Portuguese. Massimo went on the ball from the shooting area's upper corner with confidence. "Go ahead, Roberto Baggio!", cried Miguel. Sorry, not this time: ball on the long post and cup on the same spot! |
| STANDING: 10 points: MASSIMO 5 points: MIGUEL; JIM 3 points: EDDIE 2 points: JEFF |
| EDDIE 0-0 JEFF MASSIMO 0-0 JIM EDDIE 0-0 JIM JEFF 0-0 MIGUEL EDDIE 0-0 MIGUEL MASSIMO 3-0 JEFF MASSIMO 3-0 EDDIE MIGUEL 1-0 JIM JIM 1-0 JEFF MASSIMO 1-0 MIGUEL |
| PLAY-OFF at shoot-outs: MIGUEL 2-1 JIM |
| THE CHALLENGE MASSIMO 5-4 MIGUEL at 1st over-shoot-out (0-0; 0-0) |