After a long, long wait at the airport, we finally arrived safely in snowy Moscow. After a long drive into the city, we visited AAS where we were given a briefing about the tournament. The AAS Athletics Director was very impressed with our travelling team dress code! Following the meeting we headed into town for a very quick tour of Red Square, took a few photos and headed back to school for very welcome lunch and to meet the host families.





Our first match of the day was against Istanbul (IICS). The first goal was an own goal by IICS and the second was scored by Omar Aparicio. Our boys played very well but it was very cold and the boys were still not quite connected as a team, probably due to nerves. Despite the fact that we created chances and scored goals, the final result was IICS 3 - TISA 2.
After the match the boys got together to reflect on what happened in the game and began to discuss tactics for our next match.
Our second match started and we played exactly as planned. We were much better connected and we decided to hold Omar Aparicio and Carlos Terres Morata, two of our fastest players, out during the first half. When we sent them both back in during the second half, Budapest (AISB) didn't know what had hit them as the tornadoes, Omar and Carlos, proceeded to score a goal each. Final result AISB 0 - TISA 2.
We played really well as a real team which got us our first victory of the day!
As you can imagine, the lads were ecstatic and all went back to their host families delighted with the result.

Victory Day

Our first match of the day was against Kiev (KIS). It was an icy start to the day with temperatures around -6. The subzero temperatures did not deter the team and Omar Aparicio scored the first goal within minutes with an amazing assist by Carlos Terres Morata with a chip over the defenders. The second goal scored by Ben Morrison with Hugo Colby assisting. The third goal was scored by Carlos Terres Morata with an assist by Omar Aparicio from the the corner.

Kiev made a comeback in the second half and scored two goals when our defenders slipped on the ice making it impossible for Patrick Caskie to save. But that was not a problem as Omar Aparicio soon scored a fourth goal with an AMAZING free kick almost 40 yards out. Omar Aparicio scored the winning goal with a great back heel assist from Alper Guzel. The TITANS were under heavy attack the whole match but their fabulous teamwork and defence brought them victory! TISA 5 - KIS 2

TISA vs AISB
We were through to the semi final playing the team that beat us yesterday. It was a very intense first half with attacks on both sides but we made it to half time 0 - 0. Within minutes of the second half starting Ben Morrison scored! The pressure was on yet Patrick Caskie and the defenders held it together. And then, the winning goal scored by Hugo Colby with a stylish back heel assist from Omar Aparicio. TISA 2 - AISB 0

TISA vs ASW
It was then time for an extremely nerve-wracking final. Game on! The TITANS were under attack but we held it together. Hugo Colby scored the first goal followed a few minutes later with an equalising goal by Warsaw. The pressure was on but the boys kept it together. Patrick Caskie made a fantastic save and Omar Aparicio scored another goal making a half time score of 2 - 1. Within a minute of the second half starting Omar Aparicio scored AGAIN with Ben Morrison assisting. Just when we thought we had it in the bag, Warsaw scored TISA 3 - ASW 2 and 6 minutes to go. And it's a wrap. TISA 3 - ASW 2