BingoFuel 5 - 3 Russians (391068363)

It had rained all day, but 12000 hardy fans still made it out to Oktubre. Marc van der Staaij was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Svend Vraast and René Steuart. BingoFuel had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players took the field: Parenti - Silvera, Tuchinaider, Varivoda, Viala - Sangiorgio, Bongiovanni, Veloso, Foschiatti - Calzolari, Chilavert.

Russians decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. Lineup: Vakin - Tormettino, Dasis, Latino, Piu - Perea Gonzalez, Gilad, Bartolucci, Palermo - Cavaleta, Rodríguez.

The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave A. Palermo from Russians a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 13 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! BingoFuel's E. Varivoda went down after a savage challenge, but could continue playing after some medical attention. P. Parenti looked great 29 minutes into the match after stopping a shot from the middle of the penalty area from the visitors' A. Cavaleta. BingoFuel took the lead 31 minutes in, as M. Chilavert broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Having been awarded a free kick in an awkward position after 33 minutes, Russians did not go for a shot but instead fired the ball hard into the 6 yard box. After a brief tussle with his marker, E. Dasis was able to power the ball past the keeper to make the score 1 - 1. This was a good period for the visitors, with several opportunities to take the lead, particularly when A. Palermo slipped through the defence on the right to come up alone against P. Parenti, but the home side's keeper showed his lightning reflexes. BingoFuel fans held their breath as G. Tuchinaider scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 2 - 1! 41 minutes into the match the visitors levelled the score at 2 - 2 as A. Cavaleta struck home from a rebound off the crossbar, following a shot from the right. The muddy pitch made the game a gritty affair, which seemed to suit A. Palermo just fine. 2 - 3 was the score with 43 minutes played, after A. Palermo cut through the central defence and chipped home a goal for Russians. 2 - 3 was the halftime score. BingoFuel had most of the ball, with 57 percent of possession.

After 66 minutes O. Foschiatti made a speedy advance and dropped the ball to F. Calzolari who shuffled it past the keeper. The score was now 3 - 3. BingoFuel took the lead after 68 minutes as a result of F. Calzolari's peach of a shot from the right hand side of the box - placed beautifully in the top corner. 4 - 3. BingoFuel's G. Tuchinaider swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. BingoFuel's O. Foschiatti had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 72 minutes having been played. E. Mujica was the replacement. As the captain was no longer on the pitch, H. Silvera took over the role of being the BingoFuel captain. With 73 minutes played, BingoFuel's well-worked indirect free kick caused havoc in the penalty area, and when the ball eventually fell to D. Bongiovanni he gleefully slotted the ball home to make it 5 - 3. BingoFuel enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 58 percent of possession.

BingoFuel's top performer was clearly F. Calzolari. However, G. Tuchinaider made a disastrous appearance. Russians's best player was A. Latino. On the other hand, E. Vakin's play was disheartening. The match ends 5 - 3.