URUGUAY WILL PLAY THE FINAL AGAINST ARGENTINA
— Lucien Gamblin | 07/06/1928 —

After a hard-fought match, the Uruguay team beat Italy with difficulty by 3:2. The Uruguayans had a bad game compared to their last matches. On the contrary, the Italians put up a superb match; unfortunately they believed that it was in their interest to rig and their game was sometimes too incorrect. They were, in this way of proceeding, favored somewhat — but involuntarily — by the director of the match, the Dutchman Eymers, whose refereeing lacked authority and energy.

By these facts, the Uruguayans were embarrassed and could not play their usual game.

The South American forward line was especially the cause of the disillusionment of the spectators. It is true that these, after seeing the Argentine forward operate, became very difficult. But this evening, Uruguay's forwards were not very brilliant and in the center of them Petrone was a hole. The best forward was Urdinarán and, with him, Fernández at half-back, and Arispe at the back, were the best players. Among the defeated, Rivolta and Rosetta dominated their teammates.

The two goalkeepers Mazali and Combi each have a goal to blame.

Here are the Uruguayans, Olympic champions at the Paris Games in 1924, qualified for the final of the Amsterdam Games. This final promises to be very competitive.

We can also say that the two best teams in the Tournament will play in the final. They are the ones who play the best football and their success is well deserved.

A large audience attended the second semi-final. The entire Italian colony in Holland and many Italians who came specially to Amsterdam never stopped shouting "Italia!" to the players at the Savoy cross.

THE TEAMS.

The teams were constituted as follows:

Uruguay: Mazali; Canavessi, Arispe; Andrade, Fernández, Gestido; Urdinarán, Sacarone, Petrone, Cea and Cámpolo.

Italy: Combi; Rosetta, Caligaris; Pitto, Bernardini, Janni; Rivolta, Baloncieri, Schiavio, Magnozzi and Levratto.

Twenty thousand people attended the match. The Italians chose, to start, the side favored by the wind. The Uruguayans immediately benefit from a free kick, without being able to take advantage of it. The game is equal and fast, some attacks are alternately carried out by the Uruguayans and the Italians, but, on each side, the defenders return. The first serious shot is the work of Levratto, who sends the ball just over the bar. The Italians attack furiously; a few free kicks are distributed for irregular charges, then, in the 13th minute, after an attack from the entire forward line, Baloncieri, the last possessor of the ball, scores for Italy.

The match is very close, and the Italians are active. Petrone shoots slightly to the left, Levratto, for his part, sends over the goal. The Italians try to score, and twice they miss the goal.

In the 18th minute, Uruguay equalized through Cea, following a foul by Combi. Then Magnozzi kicks aside and Petrone shoots too far. The game is now slower. In the 29th minute, Cea passed to Cámpolo, who scored the second goal for the South Americans.

The Italians play dry and many free kicks are whistled against them. In the 33rd minute, Scarone scored the 3rd goal for the Uruguayans.

The game comes alive and remains to the advantage of the Uruguayans. On a shot from Baloncieri, Mazali puts in a corner without result for the Italians, then it's time to rest.

THE SECOND HALF.

At the restart, a corner was conceded by the Italian team, then another without result. The Italian defence returns, and the game goes to the Uruguayan camp. Courageously, the Transalpines attack with fury. They get a corner, then Mazali saves again by sending the ball behind the line twice. The Italians, however, did not benefit from it. Then, the players at the Croix de Savoie begin to play hard, committing many mistakes. In the 14th minute, Mazali, on a header from Levratto, is charged and lets the ball escape, which rolls into his net.

Will the Italians equalize? The Uruguayans sense the danger and resume the direction of the offensives. Petrone shoots, but Combi stops. A free kick against Italy allows Canavessi to attempt the goal, but Combi stops again by putting in a corner.

Italy in turn dominates for a few moments, then Urdinarán kicks a little wide. The game is now very fierce. The referee weakens. Italy attacks hard. There are only a few minutes left to play; Schiavo shoots, but Mazali saves splendidly, thus leaving his team with the benefit of victory.