Romania (16) v (2) Sweden

By Daniel Wood

As we enter the secondary stage of the competition Sweden and Romania played their first match as competitors in Group H of Section 2. The two teams placement in Section 2 means both will have the opportunity to compete for The Host Cup, The Community Cup or the INSP Networking Cup.

Romania came out firing against an unsuspecting Sweden as they blitzed a 16-2 victory.

Romania started brightly, notching two goals in the first 10 seconds of play.

A long stretch and toe-poke from Calancea brought Romania's tally to 3 with Sweden yet to score. Romania scored again within seconds to make it 4-0. Podia of Romania then impressed onlookers as he danced around the goalkeeper's arc and landed one in the top corner.

Sweden were experiencing difficulty repelling a barrage of Romanian attacks as Muntean, Romania's captain, connected with a rebound and increased Romania's lead to 6. Romania continued the assault and scored another 3 goals before half time.

Relief came for Sweden when, seconds before the half time whistle, Tossberg converted a penalty with a dead-centre strike to give Sweden their first goal, the scores now at 9-1.

Sweden's new found intensity gave them a convincing second half opening as Roman Gamonal collected a great through ball and doubled Sweden's tally, 9-2.

Sweden continued to pepper the goals in the opening minutes but their shots were either off-target or denied by some great keeping work by Calamcea.

Romania scored another 2 with Podina chipping one high over the keeper: 11-2.

Sweden's keeper – who was none other than Pommy, Australia's reserve keeper – was kept busy all match but pulled out some great saves to keep Romania's score far lower than it could have been.

Late in the second half Romania exhibited some beautiful, well-rehearsed passing plays in front of Sweden's goal and delivered a final tally of 16 for Romania. Final score, 16-2.

Photos: Photoworx