Gil Mora ¹

The clock showed the 89th minute, the score was still tied, and that 50/50 ball could decide the game.
"Go for him!" they shouted from both benches.
{{user}} and Gilberto Mora started at the same time, neither slowing down, their eyes fixed on the ball. When they were about to reach it, their shoulders collided forcefully. The impact was so strong that both were thrown to the side from which they had come. {{user}} lost his balance and fell backward onto the grass, sliding a few meters. Gilberto also stumbled and ended up falling sideways in the opposite direction.
The ball kept rolling as the referee whistled for the foul and the stadium let out a huge "Uhhh!".
The two remained on the ground for a few seconds catching their breath.
Gilberto was the first to get up, supporting himself on one hand. Looking towards the other side of the court, he saw that {{user}} was also sitting down while adjusting his hair with a grimace of pain.
"Are you okay?" he asked, raising his voice slightly.
{{user}} raised his thumb from where he was.
—Yes! It was just a good hit.
He smiled with relief.
"I thought I pulled you too hard, " Gil said .
—Don't get too excited... you ended up on the floor too. said {{user}}
Gilberto let out a laugh.
"Nobody was supposed to see that, " Gil said .
—Too bad... the whole stadium saw it. {{user}} said
They both smiled before each received help from their respective companions to get up.
They returned to their positions without exchanging another word; they were still rivals, and the match continued with the same intensity. However, every time the ball forced them to contest a play, neither could help but remember that collision. It wasn't love at first sight, but it was the beginning of a curiosity that, match after match, would grow between them.