Late defeat for Greenland sees Bermuda snatch gold, Falklands finish 3rd

It was heartbreak for Greenland in the Island Games final as FIFA members Bermuda snatched the gold medal thanks to an 88th minute penalty from Drewonde Bascome. In the 3rd-place match the Falkland Islands won bronze for the 1st time after cruising to their record-win, 6-0 over Frøya.

Heartbreak....Bascome converts the penalty

A big crowd came out to support the hosts in Hamilton but both sides put in a cagey 1st half performance, no doubt influenced by a tiring schedule which had seen the teams play 3 games in the last 4 days. Maasi Maqe tested Freddy Hall shortly before the interval as the non-FIFA side, who were unlucky to lose 3-0 in this fixture in the group stage, flexed their attacking muscles.

The hosts stepped it up in the 2nd period and Antwan Russell chipped the ball wide after an error by Loke Svane in the 50th minute. Shortly after Domico Coddingdton released Russell but his cross fizzed across the face of goal untouched. Substitute Rai Simmons almost won the game in the 75th minute when he rounded Svane, but his shot hit the post from a right angle.

With penalties on the cards Coddington was bundled over in the box and Bascome fired home for a dramatic late winner. The gold medal was Bermuda’s first and the silver for Greenland was also their maiden top 3 finish. With their geographical and footballing isolation as mighty as it is Greenland are not likely to play again until the 2015 games in Jersey.

Match information -

Score: Bermuda 1-0 Greenland

Goals: Drewonde Bascome 88’ (pen)

Greenland XI: Svane; N Zeeb, K Mathæussen, Stephensen, Birch; Maqe, N Mathæussen, Petersen, K Zeeb, Broberg; Jensen.
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In the bronze medal match it was the Falkland Islands who beat Frøya to secure their 1st ever medal. The South American side took just 4 minutes to break the deadlock when Martyn Gilson-Clarke, the former Boca Juniors trialist, headed home a Patricio Balladares free-kick for his 3rd international goal.

Rout...the Falklands celebrate Balladares' goal

In the extreme heat Balladares made it 2-0 after 26 minutes when he raced through on goal and finished past Eirik Vatn Fredagsvik at the 2nd time of asking. Captain and record scorer Wayne Clement had 2 chances to make it 3 before half-time, shooting over when 1-on-1 with Fredagsvik before dragging an effort wide in the 44th minute.

The Norwegians started the 2nd half well and Ole Norborg Mathisen curled an effort wide before 20-year old Martin Gaasø’s free-kick went just over Ben Hoyles’ bar in the 51st minute.  Lars Christian Larsen and Jon Ivar Theodorsen also came close as Frøya put the Falklands under some intense pressure. 

However when defender Zaza Elbakidze scored 2 goals in 4 minutes it was game over. Doug Clarke added a 5th with 10 minutes to go before 16-year old Scott Thain put the icing on the cake with a debut international goal in the 87th minute.

Match information - 

Score: Falkland Islands 6-0 Frøya

Goals: Martyn Gilson-Clarke 4’, Patricio Balladares 27’ Doug Clarke 80’ Zaza Elbakidze 74’, 77 Scott Thain 87’

Falkland Islands XI: Hoyles; K Biggs, Elbakidze, Gilson-Clarke; L Clarke [Chater 65’], Ross, D Biggs, Balladares [Thain 72’], Peck, Sotomayor; Clement [D Clarke 72’].

Frøya XI: Fredagsvik; Theodorsen, Mathissen [JS Johansen 83’], Sørdal, Iversen; Vikan [Skarnulisik 25’], A Johansen [Skarnulis 72’], Hallaren, Mathisen, Larsen; Gaasø.