After the exciting group phase and ranking matches, the CEE Cup came to a close today with the much anticipated Final match between last year’s winners, Palmeiras, and the home team of Sparta Prague. The Brazilians sailed through Group B with ease, winning all three games. As for the Czechs, the road to Dolicek was slightly more complicated.
At the 50th, Palmeiras broke through when Gabriel Goes let off a shot from outside the box, which was somehow picked up by Fabricio, who scored an easy goal up close.
The Brazilians found their second and winning goal at the 85th, and what a fantastic goal at that. Rian Roberto let off a powerful shot from the right-hand side against which Benada was unable to do anything. In the last five minutes, plus in the six added as overtime, things began to get heated once more, with many spats breaking out here and there, but the final whistle brought an end to all that.
The 9th edition of the CEE Cup truly was a success for every football lover out there. The level and quality of all the teams involved was simply spectacular, with the cherry on top that was the Final.
Despite what many may have thought going into this match, the Brazilians ended up having to fight hard to come away with their second CEE Cup. In fact, Sparta played a great game, defending well and attacking with no fear. In the end, though they might have deserved a little more for their efforts, they were unable to make their many supporters present today happy, but they surely made them proud.
In the end, the Czechs consoled themselves with the Best Player of the Tournament award, which Karabec won.
