HopTrop 2 - 0 Spartan (393171129)

A scorching day at Win Arena, where 3267 spectators were in place for today's match. Radu Anca was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Kamen Gerginov and Kuniaki Narahashi. HopTrop tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Vorre - Kołucki, Autuori, Brljak - Fusco, Dias Nunes, Tzaribrodski, Atanasov, Bertonazzi - Chapelain, Niedrītis.

Spartan had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players took the field: Ussía - Plaza, Brumerčík, Veselinović, Tekay - Verčiliak, Callegaro, Shamray, Brindzák - Waldsaum, Krošňák.

Spartan were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. After 10 minutes, the home side was awarded a penalty. The visitors protested wildly but the referee was adamant. M. Bertonazzi easily put the ball away to give the lead to HopTrop. 1 - 0 HopTrop's A. Dias Nunes was shown a yellow card after 11 minutes for slicing down an opponent. After 12 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by L. Brljak might have resulted in another goal for HopTrop. However, F. Ussía made a spectacular save. Spartan's B. Waldsaum got himself booked for a foul. A loud groan was heard from the fans of HopTrop, as T. Tzaribrodski left the pitch in too much pain to finish the match. F. Mühlthal took his place on the field. The home side's Ž. Niedrītis came close to extending the lead 31 minutes into the game. His shot came in from the right hand side but F. Ussía managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop. The head of F. Mühlthal connected with a corner kick after 32 minutes, and the ball ended up with T. Chapelain of HopTrop who blasted the ball into the net, making the score 2 - 0. Confident in their lead, HopTrop's players relaxed and focused more on defending the lead than increasing it. 37 minutes in, Spartan's P. Verčiliak received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. It was 2 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by HopTrop, with 75 percent of the ball.

Spartan's F. Plaza refused to leave the field after injuring his achilles tendon after 63 minutes. HopTrop's S. Autuori placed the ball right at his teammate's feet after a corner, but L. Brljak couldn't finish. M. Bertonazzi's curling free kick almost found the goal for HopTrop, but the visitors' keeper somehow managed to get ahold of it. The fierce heat made it important to save breath, and after a few swift runs M. Brindzák found it hard to get back into position. Spartan needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 84 minutes C. Callegaro made way for M. Hurda. After 85 minutes Spartan's F. Ussía contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. Possession in this half belonged to HopTrop, who controlled the ball 72 percent of the time.

HopTrop's top performer was clearly F. Mühlthal. Ž. Niedrītis on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Spartan player was K. Krošňák. I. Brumerčík was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 0.