Criminal 2 - 3 mero (300305941)

55050 spectators had come to FC_Halo Arena this cloudy day. Emre Telmaç was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Herbert Patin and Lennart Martinsson. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Criminal. Starters: Hochstetter - Poissonnier, Tocco, Burki - Hausen-Aubier, Selders, Stuter, Klinkusch, Mikliński - Rousch, Jakober.

mero started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. They fielded: Ohana - Märki, Ueberschär, Römer, Rousson - Kietäväinen, Hersperger, Carrière, Spiegelberg - Wilhelm, Dumez.

mero had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 22 minutes in when R. Römer came up alone against Q. Hochstetter who managed a block. With 23 minutes gone, Y. Klinkusch suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by Criminal caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. The guests took the lead 24 minutes into the match, after a right-side attack resulted in T. Spiegelberg scoring to make it 0 - 1. 0 - 1 was the halftime score. mero enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

K. Dumez left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 50 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. P. Stulić was the replacement. After 55 minutes, Criminal switched C. Rousch with F. Riehl, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. With a shot curled in from just outside the middle of the penalty area after 58 minutes played, D. Jakober of Criminal made the score 1 - 1. The referee showed Criminal's N. Stuter the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. Criminal took the lead 79 minutes in, as F. Riehl broke through on the left and put the 2 - 1 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. mero levelled the score after 81 minutes to make it 2 - 2, as S. Wilhelm struck home after a fine midfield combination through the centre, which left him completely unmarked. The game was close to savage at times, and Criminal's N. Stuter received a second yellow card after 85 minutes; his ticket out of the game. This was a good period for the visitors, with several opportunities to take the lead, particularly when P. Märki slipped through the defence on the right to come up alone against Q. Hochstetter, but the home side's keeper showed his lightning reflexes. After 87 minutes a very unfortunate collision in the penalty area led to Criminal's Q. Hochstetter being carried off the pitch and replaced by P. Koponen. After 88 minutes, E. Rousson sent the corner kick right to T. Spiegelberg who headed it sharply past the keeper. 2 - 3! Possession in this half belonged to mero, who controlled the ball 60 percent of the time.

Criminal's top performer was clearly F. Riehl. P. Koponen was a disappointment, however. The most dominating mero player was without a doubt P. Stulić. R. Römer turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 3.