Basterchamp 3 - 1 Makikaz (366004752)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 34439 at Arena dei deCaduti di forma today. Franz-Xaver Masion was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Hugo ''Möne'' Torsson and Fredrik Tillskär. Basterchamp decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. The following players had been chosen: Rispoli - Gabzdyl, Massari, Leclercq - Karjalainen, Bellomo, Ginelli, Serafini - Simanonis, Tizzano, Ciccione.

Makikaz tactics involved an interesting 2-5-3 combination. The following players took the field: Valentin - Ilie, Carpentier - Malandrino, Papež, Trabelsi, Andersen, Cīrulis - Lichtenberger, Flessas, Ochodek.

Many thought G. Ginelli ought to have been awarded a penalty 17 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around N. Valentin after a determined run through the middle. After 27 minutes Makikaz's F. Ilie contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. Makikaz's A. Malandrino's long shot really ought to have found the net 28 minutes into the match, but it fell just wide of the target. After 33 minutes, the visitors nearly went up a goal, but M. Ochodek's free kick hit the crossbar. M. Gabzdyl caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 36 minutes. This gave Basterchamp the 1 - 0 lead. Makikaz were close to putting the equaliser away after 37 minutes as the opposing defence lost control of the ball to A. Flessas in a scuffle towards the left of the goal, but in the end the ball was cleared over the dead ball line. F. Lichtenberger really should have scored when he was chosen by fate to confront a wide open goal following a great play by A. Malandrino after a corner. 39 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as P. Tizzano broke through, making the score 2 - 0 for Basterchamp. 2 - 0 was the halftime score. Makikaz enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

After 65 minutes, Makikaz used a short break in the game to take new instructions from their coach. M. Bellomo could have increased the lead after 67 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. Basterchamp put themselves up 3 - 0 when V. Simanonis broke through on the right, leaving the entire defence trailing in his wake. The Makikaz players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. The away team improved the scoreline to 3 - 1, as A. Malandrino struck home, set up well by a play on the left 79 minutes into the match. Basterchamp's V. Simanonis saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 80 minutes. D. Carpentier could've grabbed a goal for Makikaz 81 minutes in when he got a pass from the left putting him free of the home side's defence, but he was unable to take advantage of the situation. After 82 minutes a very unfortunate collision in the penalty area led to Basterchamp's A. Leclercq being carried off the pitch and replaced by G. Rosza. With the clock showing 83 minutes played, a great pass from the defensive line of Basterchamp resulted in a counterattack that was smoothly brought under control by V. Simanonis in the centre of the opposition's penalty area, but his finish went high. Makikaz claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 53 percent.

Basterchamp's best player was V. Simanonis. On the other hand, J. Karjalainen's play was disheartening. Most important Makikaz player was M. Papež. A. Malandrino turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 1.