BIANCA-AZURRA 1 - 1 Real (382992596)

22160 punters turned up at DARK KNIGHTS FORTRESS, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Kurt Albert was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Stefan Norren and Hidde Buurstee. BIANCA-AZURRA tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Lineup: Susa - Falco, Sanjuán, Fuenlabrada - Soto, León Buendia, Fonfría, Vaquero - Giorgetta, Campos-Molinas, Pugh.

Real had chosen a strategic 5-3-2 formation. They fielded: Caneda - Vorwiesen, Reinares, Karjalainen, Krstić, Reschken - Zelenković, Cernache, Nõgel - Sánchez Zarzosa, Santamarina.

Real clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. 34 minutes into the game Real managed a counterattack, but P. Santamarina took a soft shot from the left flank that was easy prey for the alert keeper. R. Nõgel really should have scored when he was chosen by fate to confront a wide open goal following a great play by I. Karjalainen after a corner. After a fine move down the middle P. Pugh nearly gave the home side a goal after 36 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. Real's counterattacks created a good chance for M. Reschken on the right after 37 minutes, but he could only look on with dismay as his strike rebounded off the crossbar. 40 minutes into the game, BIANCA-AZURRA seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to solid. Halftime score was 0 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to BIANCA-AZURRA, who controlled the ball 61 percent of the time.

The coach gave his players an extra tactical briefing during the break, and after that BIANCA-AZURRA had excellent organisation. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave R. Nõgel from Real a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 61 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! BIANCA-AZURRA could have put themselves ahead after 76 minutes but M. Fuenlabrada missed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. I. Karjalainen knocked one home from a counterattack down the right wing, making the score 0 - 1 after 77 minutes. The bench was restless, and with 77 minutes passed BIANCA-AZURRA's coach gave A. Uneken the opportunity the player had been hoping for. S. Falco reluctantly left the field. Always quick on his feet, BIANCA-AZURRA's J. Soto sped down the field after 78 minutes, but his pass to P. Pugh was just a bit too far ahead for him to get a good shot off. M. Campos-Molinas showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 79 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 1 - 1 equaliser away. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by BIANCA-AZURRA, with 64 percent of the ball.

BIANCA-AZURRA's top performer was clearly G. Giorgetta. A. Uneken on the other hand, had a terrible day. Real's best player was L. Sánchez Zarzosa. R. Nõgel turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 1.