The moment all FC Euroatlas fans were waiting since several months ago finally arrived… The first game of the season! Although it was a friendly match, the first one during the pre-season period, it was visible the enthusiasm of the crowd when “The Blues” did their first appearance on the pitch. And that appearance brought a surprise: new season, new jersey! The team presented the new equipment, completely red, with some horizontal stripes in a darker red ton. The squad was complete for this match and the coach was able to do several substitutions during the match, which was good, considering that the player’s fitness is not the best at this stage as one can easily understand.

For the first pre-season match it went quite well, as FC Euroatlas was able to beat FC Red Star by 5- 2. However, “the Blues” (today “The Reds”) started the match with the left foot.. Maybe because it was the first “real match”, the team was quite nervous in the beginning and a wrong pass in the defence originated the opponents first goal. But the team was able to re-enter into the game and before the half-time was already winning by 2-1.

The level increased clearly during the second half… The (high) rhythm was not always the same, which is natural at this stage, but FC Euroatlas attacked more, tried to shoot more, to use more the wings… And the results came quite fast, with the score reaching the 5-1. Again, after another wrong pass in the defensive zone, FC Red Star was able to reduce to 5-2 a couple of minutes before the end of the game.

Some particular highlights regarding the match and players: very good usage of the full pitch during the second half with several goals being created from the wings; and the hot foot of Kevin that scored 4 goals.

A new season is about to start, but the team seems to keep the same ambition, which is the most important thing.

Scorer(s): Kevin (4), Simon (1)

by iG

New year, new team (life)! This slogan could very well be the image of the first FC Euroatlas match in 2016. Lots of new faces – Pedro, Carlos and Andrea did their first match in the team – were seen at the Merl Stadium for the match against FC Red Star. These new players, usually present already for a while in the training sessions, joined the “team” and had very good football actions. In fact, Pedro scored his first goal for the Blues!

The opponent was probably not the most difficult, nevertheless it was the first game after the winter break… However, the fans were nicely surprised by the attitude a and combativeness of the team. Very good ball circulation, short passes, long passes when it was needed… And, maybe the most positive point, the attacks were quite effective. The team scored almost all the changes created during the game. The first half was very well played and all team sectors were perfect. During 90% of the time Iulian was a simple spectator, as the Euroatlas defence was not conceding any kind of danger… In the end of the first period, 5-0 was the result.

On the second half, the coach did some adjustments and changed the positions of a couple of players. Due to the natural lack of physical condition, the team was not so aggressive and let the opponent have a little bit more of ball possession. The FC Red Star managed to attack more and to try a couple of shots. Euroatlas defenders had more work during the second half and Iulian, even without having any crucial intervention, had to be more attentive… However, every time the Blues had the ball on their side they tried to search for more goals. And the final 6-0 by Pedro in the middle of this second period appeared naturally…

FC Euroatlas started the preparation for its second half of the season, that will be a tough one, with a good performance. A couple of friendly matches are already schedule, being the next one in Steinsel against FC Luxair. See you all on the picth!

by iG

Game Statistics/Data

Initial team: Iulian, Pedro, Nuno, Eugénio, Alvaro, Ettore, Andrea, Carlos, Kevin, Simon and Artur
Scorer(s): Kevin (2), Simon (2), Pedro (1) and Nuno (1)