 22-02-07, 09:07 PM | #101 (permalink) |
| Used In Squad Rotation Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 366 Thanks: 74 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0 | 
  Torino - Udinese 15th of April 2007 Stadio Olimpico, Turin Italian Serie A 2006/2007 - Week 32     7' 11' 40'  Elvis Abbruscato - 74' 84' Juan Surraco
Elvis Abbruscato scored a historical first-half hattrick that mathematically secured Torino a place in next year's Champions League six matches before the end of the season againist Udinese!
Torino had two major injury problems to handle with as both of the starting wingers Stefano Fiore and Nikola Lazetic had to sit out with injuries as Cedric Konan & Iacopo Balestri replaced them respectively. Udinese had a thrilling draw with Granata earlier this season.
It was a nice start for the visitors, Giampiere Pinzi twice got dangerous shots which both flew over though and the price was soon to be paid.
Just on the 7th minute Alessandro Rosina managed to round an opponent after a throw-in to send a low pass towards Elvis Abbruscato in the box who sent the goalkeeper wrong way and tapped the ball in from few meters.
 Abbruscato didn't allow Udinese to make even one marking mistake
And another goal was quick to arrive for the new star of the calcio, after Morgan De Sanctis had problems with handling a Comotto cross a trouble arrived in the box which saw Roberto Stellone setting up Abbruscato for a goal from around the penalty spot as the ball bounced into the goal through post.
Torino was enjoying it's play and even allowed to make a 35-metre shot on a counter-attack, though Simone Barone's powerful effort wasn't on target.
Udinese then got their feet back in after the shock of two goals in four minutes, but Gyan Asamoah headed over a Antonio Di Napoli's cross and then he saw his shot saved on line by a brilliant Gianluca Comotto who recently announced doubts about him continuing in the Torino shirt next season eventhough Granata was willing to pay almost huge 8 million pounds to Roma!
Though Elvis Abbruscato had his powerful shot pushed away in a counter-attack at the other end as both teams had couple of more chances in the end to end match.
The best one before the break resulted in to a goal aswell, Stellone's shot got blocked by Damiano Zenoni in another pacy counter-attack, but only into the path of Abbruscato who showed a true match-killer instinct by taping the ball in from 12 meters.
 Abbruscato hold off an Alex challenge to net in his third hattrick of the season!
At half-time the hero game off as Tursk didn't want to risk with any injury for him or to have him recieve a yellow card which would make him miss the Roma match. Luis Figo steped in.
Cristiano Lupatelli made a great save on Gyan Asamoah as the Ghanian broke into the box from the wing and Tursk also bringed out Simone Barone quickly after that situation for more defensive minded Diego De Ascentis.
Rio Mavuba shot wide from the edge of the area though Udinese finally had a break-through when substitution Juan Surraco headed in a Antonio Di Napoli cross at near post.
Scharner headed wide from 10 meters and Luis Figo wasted an incredible through pass from Alessandro Rosina at the other end before Surraco got a second goal aided by an Asamoah cross as Schiavi was beatten in the Air-Force 1 duel.
A classical defender for striker substitution after that did it's work though as Ivan Francheschini who replaced Stellone managed have nice eight minutes on the pitch and Torino made a self-sacrificing display to keep the 3-2 scoreline.
With the win and Milan drawing Torino clinched a place in next years Champions League, eventhough it was more than certain. Now the next goal for the Turin side is to secure their place as second of Italy, though it shouldn't be hard with Sampdoria being 14 points behind, just like leaders Inter are 14 ahead.
Torino: 1-Cristiano Lupatelli; 3-Gianluca Comotto, 2-Raffaele Schiavi, 25-Marco Di Loreto, 16-Giuseppe Pancaro; 24-Cedric Konan, 8-Simone Barone (63' 15-Diego De Ascentis), 22-Iacopo Balestri; 10-Alessandro Rosina; 19-Elvis Abbruscato (45' 5-Luis Figo), 11-Roberto Stellone (85' 14-Ivan Francheschini)
Cautioned  : None
Other Results
Cagliari 2-0 Reggina
Empoli 1-1 Messina
Ascoli 0-0 Roma
Catania 0-3 Inter
Chievo 2-2 Livorno
Lazio 0-0 Parma
Milan 1-1 Palermo
Sampdoria 1-0 Siena
Atalanta 3-4 Fiorentina
Torino Position: 2nd |
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