Line-up: Puig, Si M’Hammed, Rossi, Gunter, Yugueros, Vazquez, McGirr, Brown (Van Dijk), Gary (Godefroid), Vadora, Wetzel (Claudino)

On this Saturday afternoon, RBBFC2 were about to play the last game of 2016 before the winter break and the expected transfers/come backs period. With Fred Bon, Charlie Deschamps and Pat Skoniezki sent abroad on loan and Lolo Legere, Daniele Mineo, Pablo Garrido, Sam Lambrecht and Musta Belalij all recovering from injury, one could look forward to the start of 2017 with such an impressive squad. In the meantime, the boys from the second were determined to finish the first part of the season on a high and to keep their chances alive to defend their title.

Frustrated for not capitalizing on the good performance of last week against Gecko, Capitano made clear that the three points were not an option. Therefore, promoting an attacking football such as his idol Pep, Marc opted for a 4-3-3 system with his Catalan assistant Yugueros at left back, the Italian twins MasSimone in central defense and Si M’Hammed at right back. To shield them from any attack, the Spanish pitbull Vazquez sits as number 6 accompanied by the gifted McGirr (with his touch even admired by girls) and by…yes a superstar directly coming from the MLS, Mr Robby Brown (apparently he missed the abssa refs, their offsides calls and their picky appreciation of throw-ins). The trio upfront is composed by Gary Grizzy to cover to left hand side, the Austrian machine Wetzel on the right while the lonely striker position is dedicated to Vadora, helping to keep the team average speed at 5km/h after the loss of Legère.

The game starts and the first twenty minutes are characterized by a complete control from the good guys, with a very good ball circulation from one side to another leading to clear chances on goal. After a good combination between McGirr and Wetzel, Si M’Hammed crosses the ball to the second post for the tap-in of Brown (1-0). A few minutes after, Gary, sent by a through ball from Brown, hits it straight at the goalkeeper’s face. Keeping his head up, Gary after a double contact dribble that left the defender with an urgent hip transplant, poor kid, finds the target and scores the second (2-0). Because things are going quick in the first half, Vadora demonstrates all his ability with a weighted pass over the defense that finds Si M’Hammed who delivers a backwards cross to Wetzel coming from the second line to make it three (3-0).

Unfortunately, despite the lead, RBBFC2 players started to lose concentration (maybe some of the players were already thinking about the beers of Leuven). Consequently, after a first strike on the bar and a save from Capitano, the third attempt was the good one with Ettekijs striker firmly heading the ball in (3-1). The score could have got worse without a last save from Rossi (some might say that it was a penalty but apparently the ref shared Rossi’s opinion…Juve knows best when dealing with refs). Halftime was called allowing Capitano to remind players the importance to keep playing football and not to drop back too low.

It seemed more difficult for the players to put those words into practice and were lucky not to concede another one thanks to the brave block of Massi (no hand this time). However, after a good combination from Ettekijs, the cross finds their striker isolated in the small box (3-2). The pressure increases on RBBFC2 who is unwillingly forced to park the bus and resists to the assaults of Ettekijs. In this physical game, Vadora can still express his Italian romantic side with several nutmegs but unlike on some small futsal pitches in the "Hood”, this doesn’t count like a goal (haaaa lache ta balle afou).

It is time for Puig, to bring in some fresh blood with the entries of Claudinho "bicylette”, Jimjiminy Godefroid and the Dutch killer Van Dijk. After a ball won back by Vazquez, Godefroid can turn on the hedge of the box but his shot is blocked by the defender to end in Si M’Hammed feet that misses the chance to give some air to RBBFC2. The relief will actually come from another substitute. Indeed, a long ball sent along the line by Si M’Hammed meets the run in the space from Van Dijk (yes it is considered as an assist Simo) who calmly adjusts the goalkeeper. (4-1)

RBBFC2 players sign off the end of the first half of the season with a hard fought victory that slightly close the gap to six points far from the top spot. With this one, the pre festivities of Leuven Christmas market (and the shitty excuses of others) could start in the changing room. Godefroid wanted to celebrate with a fart of his own that almost killed half the team. Luckily no one will have to use the changing room for the next few weeks. Enjoy those weeks off football to please your WAGs because football is back in January and RBBFC2 need all of you. Merry Christmas.

Reporter and MOM: Tarik Si M’Hammed "Assassin de la police”