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SAN
MARINO CUP 2002
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The girls returned from San Marino having shown the participants and organisers of the tournament just how high a level girls football has reached in Scotland. Prior to the event the girls from Scotland were rated by the team guides as simply making up the numbers and expected to be the weakest team taking part. The girls soon settled into their stride with a 3-0 victory over the NE Italian champions for the last 4 years Pack Centre, followed by convincing victories, 8-1 over BK Zeros from Sweden and 11-0 over Virtus Villa also from Italy to easily win the group. The girls played very well in tempatures well into the 80's and were full of running from start to finish in each game, displaying a higher fitness level and superior technical ability to their opponents.
The final day was a disappointment due to terrible organisation and bad sportsmanship from opponents Pack Centre. The final was to be held in the impressive Olympic Stadium and while travelling to the stadium a phone call from the organisers confirmed that the venue had been switched to what could only be described as a training pitch. On arrival the main pitch at the venue was to be used by two boys teams but as only one team had turned up the girls final was changed again to the main pitch. There was no time for any warm-up and the game started immediately. The girls were clearly upset and this was evident from their play in the early stages of this game. The Italian team bore little resemblance to the team that Hibs had met in the group stages due to the fact that they had brought in players from far a field some having travelled 4 or 5 hours to play! Two of their players had played for Virtus Villa in the group match. It was clear that they were intent on winning at all costs. This was also evident from their style of play, diving at every opportunity, kicking, punching and spitting whenever the referees back was turned. The Hibs girls were certainly not accustomed to such tatics and this effected their normal free-flowing attacking football. By half-time they were 3-1 behind. The second half was completely dominated by Hibs but it was never to be their day with chance after chance either just wide of target, straight into the goalkeepers hands, off the woodwork or cleared of the line. The Italians defended in numbers and the referee was extremely lenient on his own countrywomen. With the score at 3-2 and Hibs pushing for the equaliser the referee blew for full time with 5 minutes still to play. It was then discovered that the referee had also cut the first half short by 5 minutes. After much confusion and heated discussions the referee played a further 5 minutes which was no more than farcical. The Italians resorting to spoiling tactics, booting the ball out of play at every opportunity, taking an age over substitutions and more off the ball incidents which culminated in a player from each side being dismissed from the game. It was a poor end to the tournament and left a bit of a sour taste. The Hibs Girls were no doubt the best team in the competition and they will have learned a lot from this experience, credit is due to the girls for continuing throughout to try and play football which was reflected throughout the game all be it not in the final score line. Well done girls.
The girls enjoyed their trip to foreign soil and their behavior was a credit to all interested parties.
Bjursas/Grycksbo (Sweden)
BK Olympic (Sweden)
BK Zeros (Sweden)
Cervia Calcio (Italy)
Como 2000 (Italy)
Dusseldorf FC (Ghana)
Futura Sport (Italy)
Hallersakers (Sweden)
Hibs Girls (Scotland)
Lovenstad FK (Norway)
Madison SC (USA)
New England Select (USA)
Oakville Twister (Canada)
Ombi Stars (Ghana)
Pack Centre ACF (Italy)
Pro Lissone (Italy)
Repton School (England)
Rumfa College (Nigeria)
Sparvagen FF.B (Sweden)
Top Stars (Ghana)
United Soccer Club (USA)
Wonderfull Bari (Italy)
Valmarecchia (Italy)
Virtus Villa (Italy)
