The MAFL Championship goes to Europa United!
/United - Dynamos
Tula 25 • Europa Stadium
Shot for shot, play for play, United and Immortals battled it out for the championships in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.
In possibly the best MAFL game to date, the two teams gave it their all on Tula 25. The first half was played cautiously, as both teams made conservative choices and plays. Lanka made three shots on goal in the first half, but was denied all of them by Sulzberger, who was at the top of he game today. At the halftime whistle, both teams were sitting at nil.
Scoring finally opened 4 minutes into the second half Lanka set up a perfect opportunity—Hagendoorn took the shot and sent the ball flying just out of Badal’s outstretched hands as he dove for it.
Plays were fast and furious following Hagendoorn’s goal. The Immortals scored two more goals in quick succession to take a one goal lead over United.
"It’s been an incredible season, and I’m just incredibly grateful to have this chance to be part of MAFL history
Barnato celebrates after scoring the goal that ties the match—saving UNited from defeat.
A crucial goal by Barnato brings the match into overtime.
In the final seconds of the second half, Barnato calmly redirects a shot from Dennis from the top of the box that sends it sailing into the far left of the net. In a battle of wills, Sulzberger fends off a flurry of shots from the Immortals offence, Lanka and Hagendoorn, keeping United in the game, and giving them the chance to launch a counterattack.
An unexpected lull on the left side of the pitch gave Covaci the opportunity to breakaway down the field—and she took it. In an impressive feat of dribbling and ball control, Covaci took the ball to the left corner and slammed it hard into the right corner.
The final whistle prompted a wave of celebration across the settlements as United players ran through the pitch in celebration
“We’re happy to have made this far,” says Lanka of the Immortal’s loss, “No one would have predicted that we would be taking on United in the semifinals. But here we are. I couldn’t be any prouder of our team and the fans that stood by us through everything!”
The second ever MAFL Championship trophy was handed to United Captain, Fuchs, who was lifted up by fellow teammates. “Words can’t describe what I’m feeling right now,” said an emotional Fuchs, “It’s been an incredible season, and I’m just incredibly grateful to have this chance to be part of MAFL history.”
FAns cheer as Covaci scores the winning goal for United in extra time.
GOALS
2ND 4’ Hagendoorn (Immortals) scores with an assist from Lanka
2ND 8’ Dennis (United) intercepts a pass and counters to score into the top left of the goal.
2ND 14’ Lanka (Immortals) breaksaway and scores with a low, easy laser into the bottom left.
2ND 20’ Talpur (Immortals) heads the ball and smashes it right past Sulzberger’s left before he can react.
2ND 25’ Barnato (United) redirects a shot by Dennis to send it straight into the back of the net.
ET 6’ Covaci (United) sees an opening down the left and dribbles the ball down and shoots from the far left.
| SHOTS | |
|---|---|
| 17 | 13 |
| POSSESSION | ||
|---|---|---|
| 43% | 57% | |
| FOULS | |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3 |
Stats & Standings
| Top Scorers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Uday Lanka | 20 | |
| Readale Nash | 16 | |
| Darkeem Dennis | 16 | |
| Arwa Farra | 13 | |
| Yvonne Barnato | 13 | |
| Ilya Petrovich | 12 | |
| Qigang Lian | 11 | |
| Lennard Fuchs | 11 | |
| Marcus Ekberg | 10 | |
| Stephen Liu | 9 | |
