I’m sitting here on the bus on the way back from the game, and frankly, I find it hard to find the right words. Yesterday everything was possible – today our season is over. We lost 2-1 to Cowley County Community College after extra time. It was a game that felt like a déjà vu – because just like last year, it was Cowley that ended our dream of the semi-final.
We started as an underdog – number 6 on the betting list – and yet we believed in ourselves. After winning against Murray State on Monday, we were full of energy. I still remember my goal in this game – one of those moments when everything just fits.
Also today against Cowley we had a great start. In the first half, after a nice play by Stephen Gilbert, I was able to accept the ball in the penalty area and push it in 1-0. There were 19 minutes and 7 seconds to play – and for a moment I thought we had the thing under control. We fought, blocked, called – everyone gave everything.
Football can be cruel. Ten minutes before the end came the moment that changed everything: a foul in the penalty area that was, in my view, very hard whistled. Renan Syrio took the penalty and scored – 1:1. Suddenly the energy in the stadium was different. You could sense that momentum was tipping.
It went into extra time and there decides the game who shoots the next goal ("Sudden Death"). Suddenly it only took a little more than a minute – and then it happened: Alberto de Miguel scored for Cowley. 2:1 Silence. The game was final.
It hurts to fail again in the same place. But if I'm honest, I'm also incredibly proud. On my team. For our season. On what we have achieved. 12 wins, 4 defeats, 1 draw – and for the third time in a row at the national championship. That is not self-evident.