Bulgaria and Portugal came on the pitch Wednesday afternoon after their respective bitter first-round defeats and were trying to get back on track for their second games.
Bulgaria’s quick start paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 3rd minute, which was converted by Radomir Todorov. Portugal’s equaliser came through an own goal in the 9th minute, making it 1:1. The same remained until the end of the first half.
Latin Venkov grabbed Bulgaria’s second goal in the 29th minute. With 5 minutes to go the Bulgaria team were constantly on their feet next to the pitch, shouting supportively for their teammates to keep the lead. At the end Bulgaria succeeded, kept the 2:1 score and secured an important three points.
France’s Elie Dohin opened the scoring against Spain in the next game. Minutes later, Patricio Diaz found an equaliser for Spain. Gabriel Ruis Vicente and Luis Martinez both caused a scare for the French team with their strikes in the dying minutes of the opening half, but none could find the back of the net.
The second half started just as frantic as the first one. France regained the lead in the 28th minute, and minutes later Kevin Gastou grabbed the team’s third goal, which turned out to provide a comfortable lead for France to win.
“The next game will be a very important one for us against Lithuania. We have to play just like we played today [to advance from the group phase]” said Elie Dohin after the 3:1 French victory.
Latvia quickly took the lead against Austria in the 3rd minute of their game, with Sergejs Oleskovs doubling the lead 6 minutes after the kick off. It was Austria’s goalkeeper, Dino Cesovic, who pulled a ball back for his team by sending a screamer from his own half. When Latvia finished the scoring of the first half the scoreline was standing at 1:3.
In the second half Oskars Ikstens netted twice within a minute for Austria, just before Latvia answered with another double to secure a 5:3 win. Despite the win Latvia has now left the tournament, just like their last opponent Austria.