Photo in one: David Catry


Spain won the Cyprus Tournament after their victory (2-0) in the final against Italy. A success that allows the Spanish Roja to win a new trophy after removing the Algarve Cup last year.


=> The complete program / results of the Cyprus Cup 2018


These are not yet major titles, but Spain continues to appear as a selection that counts on the international level. Although the Cyprus Tournament table is not the most up-to-date tournament in March, Spain has still confirmed its victory in the 2017 Algarve Cup, where La Roja had beaten a few the best teams in the world.

Today, there is nothing short of a performance in major tournaments. Eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Euro by Austria, (that Spain has beaten twice since, including one during this tournament), the Iberian players had also been out in the first round of the 2015 World Cup. the door of the highest level, Spain continues to affirm its ambitions.

La Squadra Azzura prise à la gorge

In the final, Irene Paredes' team-mates did not have the easy game, even though they tried to put the ingredients in at the outset. A high pressing to smother the Squadra in her own thirty yards and try to make it impossible any short stimulus or game built. In the first twenty minutes, Italy suffered, with ball losses that multiply in its own camp.

The danger is approaching with a first strike by Patri Guijarro after an exchange between Alexia Putellas and Olga Garcia left side (3rd). The ball misses the frame, but the quarter of an hour, it is Laura Giuliani who must intervene to divert the shot of Olga Garcia (15th), again served by his teammate at Barça, Alexia Putellas.

Italy will take time to get out of the vice, and suffered a first blow with the exit on injury of Valentina Bergamaschi, one of the best Italian players of the moment and titularized in attack in the right lane. She was replaced in the 19th minute by another player from Brescia, Valentina Giacinti.


Spain finds the key on set kick


In the last fifteen minutes of the first act, the release of the Spanish steamer allows the Italian attackers to carry the danger in the opposite camp. Barbara Bonansea performs a small festival on the left before looking for Daniela Sabatino at the first post (32) whose head goes over the goal of Lola Gallardo. The Spanish goalkeeper who then captures the head of Cristiana Girelli free kick (37th). The best, but Spain remains on the lookout and Alia Guagni must make a decisive comeback to prevent Olga Garcia to open the score in stoppage time (45 + 3).

With Elsa Bartoli, the two Italian sides made a solid match, solid on the defensive plan, with also Alia Guagni who regularly brought right side on the offensive plan. A match that balances in the game, and Spain finally finds the solution on kick stopped at the return of the locker room.

A corner right corner hit by Alexia Putellas and in front of the goal, Laura Giuliani is not protected by his defense. Embarrassed by Olga Garcia, the transalpine goalkeeper can not intervene, having achieved a flawless first period especially in the air. The ball reaches the second post to Amanda Sampedro, who gets up twice but can send the ball to the back of the net. A shot in strength with the support of the crossbar (50th).


Italy remained in contact


The players of Milena Bertolini will run after the score and several times will give the impression of touching the goal. Coming into play at the break, Manuela Giugliano strikes the bar on a long center-shot from the right side (63 ').

It then takes a tackle and a foul Irene Paredes (punished with a yellow close to red) to stop Barbara Bonansea seemed to be able to leave the goal alone. It is finally Lola Gallardo who will look for the ball close to his left post, on a headed head of Ilaria Mauro (81). So many missed opportunities and Spain that ends up getting through a new corner.

An action on which Laura Giuliani is again under pressure. This time, it is Marta Carro who comes into contact with the keeper of Juve who must release the ball. The referee lets play and Amanda Sampedro transmits the ball from the head to Patri Guijarro who scores on a pivoting shot (84).


A goal that seals the fate of this meeting even if the Squadra Azzura attempt, energy, to further reduce the gap in this end of the game. A title for Spain in a Cyprus Cup where La Roja was able to face four European teams, including three present at the last Euro (Austria, Belgium and Italy) to which we can add a strong team from the Czech Republic. An ideal thermometer for the selection of Jorge Vilda whose goal in the coming months is to ensure his qualification for the 2019 World Cup with qualifying that resume in April in Europe.

North Korea again third


Earlier in the day, other league games were played on Cypriot lawns. For the second year in a row, North Korea took third place in the Cyprus Cup after their 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Belgium took fifth place at the end of a particularly indecisive match against South Africa (1-2) with a decisive goal scored by Yana Daniëls late in the game (86th). In the morning, Austria, the Czech Republic and Finland also won their respective classification finals.


Cyprus Cup 2018 - Results of the final and classification matches (Wednesday, March 7)


Final: Italy - Spain 0-2 - Spain wins the 2018 edition of the Cyprus Cup

Final for Third place: North Korea - Switzerland 2-1

Final for Fifth place: Belgium - South Africa 2-1

Final for Seventh Place: Wales - Austria 1-1,

Final for ninth place: Slovakia - Czech Republic 2-5

Final for the eleventh place: Hungary - Finland 0-2