UNDER 14 By HAYLEY ROWAN In a heart stopping semi-final, the Euroa U12 boys booked their ticket to the grand final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Kyabram. The defensive wall of Lucas, Jayden, Liam, and Leo set the early tone, snuffing out Kyabram’s attacks and freeing the midfield of Harry, Dex, and Tyler to run. Up front, strikers Jasper, Nick and Luca were constantly threatening. After a flurry of chances, Nick finally broke the deadlock with a rocket that got the crowd cheering, but Kyabram hit back with a free kick just before the break. With the wind at their backs in the second half, Euroa peppered the goal but couldn’t convert. When Kyabram pinched a late strike, the mood turned to heartbreak, with parents bracing for a tough ride home. But Jasper had other ideas. With minutes left, he buried the equaliser to force extra time, then struck again in the first period and creating wild celebrations. Of course, Kyabram weren’t finished, hitting back to send the game to penalties. Online grocery orders were forgotten as the first five shots Luca, Jasper, Harry, Nick and Leo coolly stepped up, leaving the shootout tied. Then came Dex, who calmly slotted his shot. Kyabram’s reply cannoned off the crossbar, leaving the Euroa camp to explode in jubilation. Full credit to Kyabram in a contest that had it all. In the end, it was Euroa’s heart, grit and unshakable togetherness that carried them through, and now this remarkable group has earned their shot at grand final glory. UNDER 8s By KIM FLACK The Under 8s Thunder wrapped up their season on Saturday, braving an icy wind that would have sent most to the heater. Not this lot with Toby, Ruby, Will, Noah, Max, Isaiah, Patrick, Darcy, and Skylah charged onto the pitch with enough energy to warm the whole crowd. Taking on Shepp East with a full side plus two on the bench, there were dashes down the wing quicker than a lightning bolt, fearless tackles that rattled the ground, and goal celebrations almost as loud as the wind. Actually, there were eight whole team celebrations for the match, providing much entertainment to the crowd. With Julio’s steady coaching from the sidelines, Thunder proved once again that they don’t just kick goals on the field. They kick them off it too, with their teamwork, efforts, and grins that couldn’t be frozen. With team manager James keeping the rotations going off the bench, the Thunder kept him on his toes tracking all the goals too. Darcy and Skylah worked quick and clever in goals to keep Shepp East scoreless. Awards went to Skylah, Patrick, and Noah. They might be hanging up the boots for now, but the rumble of Thunder will be back next season, louder than ever.
