Riccione 3 - 4 Pilmopoli (378222617)

664 spectators had come to Villaggio Papini Stadium this cloudy day. Sergio Cuccureddu was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Malwin Sewald and Teo Manh Su. Riccione had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Starters: Armandi - Kington, Del piano, Alexandrescu - Batistela, Boye, Ligtvoet, Nötzli, Ciocci - Perač, Kubów.

A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Pilmopoli. They fielded: Tognato - Prenđa, Riganò, Papagni, Gazo - Wolfson, Pasquale, De Liso, Steinbeck - Zuffo, Usai.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Pilmopoli. R. Alexandrescu was ever so close to scoring after an excellent corner was beautifully flicked on by Z. Perač, but the ball bounced off the post to safety. Riccione took the lead 17 minutes in, as E. Kubów broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. A. Tognato was caught napping as P. Ciocci lifted a ball over him following a free kick, but the ball hit the bar, rebounding into the keeper's arms. The goal to make it 1 - 1 was scored by F. Prenđa after 31 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by Pilmopoli. The unexpected cross pass from Riccione's U. Nötzli after 35 minutes opened up the defence and was received by E. Kubów who finished off for 2 - 1. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Pilmopoli's T. Riganò was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 36 minutes. G. Oddina was given a chance to change things around. N. Papagni knocked one home from a counterattack down the right wing, making the score 2 - 2 after 37 minutes. Riccione were very close to putting themselves one up after 39 minutes as J. Ligtvoet got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. Riccione's Z. Perač was shown a yellow card after 42 minutes for slicing down an opponent. 44 minutes into the match, the Pilmopoli manager wanted to try a new tactic, and the players loyally obliged. It was 2 - 2 at the break. Riccione enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

As the 46 minute mark approached, the Pilmopoli coach decided it was time for a substitution. G. De Liso reluctantly made way for E. Marescotti on the pitch. 67 minutes into the match, Pilmopoli nearly took the lead, as F. Steinbeck broke through on the right. G. Armandi made the save, however. Riccione fans held their breath as E. Kubów scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 3 - 2! This third goal completed a hattrick for E. Kubów. After 76 minutes, a well-worked counterattack by Pilmopoli on the right presented an easy opportunity in front of the goal that was duly converted by F. Prenđa to make it 3 - 3. The terraces were silenced after 82 minutes when Pilmopoli's E. Pasquale put the guests ahead 3 - 4, following an attack on the right. Riccione tried to even things up by sending a long ball towards the centrally placed strikers, but the visitors' defence got the best of this rather direct style of play. Riccione had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

Riccione's best player was U. Nötzli. G. Armandi on the other hand, had a terrible day. P. Gazo performed admirably for Pilmopoli. N. Papagni was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 4.