An U-21 Everton side lost by a solitary goal to SC Freiburg in the VTB Lev Yashin Cup in Moscow this evening, and will now face hosts Dynamo Moscow in tomorrow's 3rd/4th place play-off.Adam Davies donned the gloves in goal for Everton and was protected by a back four of Tyias Browning, Shkodran Mustafi, Shane Duffy and Jake Bidwell. Captain Jose Baxter lined up in midfield alongside John Lundstram, Adam Forshaw and surprise inclusion Araz Abdullayev. There was a Portu-Greek combination up front as Joao Silva partnered Apostolos Vellios in attack.
New signing Mateusz Taudul was named on the bench and was joined by Aristote Nsiala, Conor McAleny, Jordan Barrow, Hallam Hope, Luke Garbutt and Anton Forrester.
Azerbaijani winger Abduallayev, 19, was invited along to the tournament by Everton, who last year secured first option on the Neftchi Baku player - subject to the youngster being able to obtain a work permit.
Except for the official Everton updates on Twitter - which were hampered by internet problems - there was not a hint of coverage of the match on the internet.
From the little I could gather, however, Everton started well and centre-half Mustafi was denied by a great save from the Freiburg goalkeeper. However, the Blues fell behind just after the half-hour mark to a 25-yard strike from Freiburg's Erich Sautner.
Despite some positive play from skipper Baxter, and a penalty appeal from Hallam Hope, 1-0 was how it stayed as the young squad were unable to find a second-half equaliser.
In the other game in the 4-team tournament, Serbian side OFK Belgrad defeated hosts Dynamo Moscow 3-1, meaning that the final will be contested between OFK Belgrad and Freiburg, whilst Everton will face Dynamo Moscow in the 3rd/4th place play-off.
Those fixtures will be played tomorrow - be sure to check back then to see how the Blues fare.
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