Lintumetsa 2 - 1 Rosafanti (366010633)

Clear skies welcomed the 26967 spectators who had made their way to Lintumetsa United Arena. Anthony Pinard was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Magnus Irstrand and Bruno Sá. Lintumetsa had chosen a strategic 5-4-1 formation. Lineup: Hamar - Kyffin, Huy, Cambier, Pescio, Tridondani - Canares, Mendenau, Bertero, Piano - Zorba.

Rosafanti started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Kopka - Angeleri, Baldassa, Agnès - Antonsen, Mulana, Fucito, Steffan, Granatiero - Sborone, Reale.

Against a lesser team, Lintumetsa could very well have succeeded with their smart indirect free kick routine after 6 minutes. A trio of passes took the ball all the way past the defenders, but by then the intended recipient was already blocked off and the keeper could make a leisurely save. Rosafanti almost scored after a counterattack 8 minutes into the match, but A. Reale took a shot from the left that landed harmlessly in the side of the net. Rosafanti had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 16 minutes in when L. Mulana came up alone against F. Hamar who managed a block. L. Agnès of Rosafanti was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. A well placed corner kick from O. Cambier was followed by L. Tridondani's hard but accurate header. The well executed routine resulted in a goal for Lintumetsa, the score now 1 - 0. Rosafanti's G. Sborone showed his experience, anticipating the outcome of the opponent's defensive clearance and positioning himself perfectly to volley in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box. 1 - 1. Lintumetsa took the lead 43 minutes in, as A. Piano broke through on the left and put the 2 - 1 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. There was concern in the stands when, at the 43 minute mark, Rosafanti's L. Agnès hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. Halftime score was 2 - 1. Lintumetsa had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

A great save by keeper L. Kopka after 47 minutes kept the visitors in the game after N. Huy struck from the left with a real cannonball. D. Zorba had a fantastic opportunity to put Lintumetsa up another goal 50 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. The bench was restless, and with 70 minutes passed Rosafanti's coach gave L. Cabacuelas the opportunity the player had been hoping for. L. Agnès reluctantly left the field. The coach of Lintumetsa was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 72 minutes, B. Ochenbauer came on for V. Canares. M. Bertero unleashed a swerving effort from the right that the visitors' keeper did well to tip wide. Possession of the ball saw an equal split between the teams during the forty-five minutes.

Lintumetsa's top performer was clearly L. Tridondani. B. Ochenbauer on the other hand, had a terrible day. Rosafanti's best player was G. Sborone. N. Angeleri was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 1.