GIUBBAX 1 - 1 DeporDura (366412854)

Clouds darkened the skies at BONGIORNO ARENA as 13514 spectators turned up for the match. Julius van Summeren was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Lutz Klobasa and Peter Hargreaves. GIUBBAX decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. Lineup: Harding - Lanza, Aspenskär, Jämsen, Cottone - Almansa, Santirocchi, Dorum, Vicente Alfambra - Pohjolainen, Lacey.

A 4-4-2 alignment was the formation of choice for DeporDura. Starters: Andrisano - Angileri, Almici, Valle, Amadio - Bartocci, Patruno, Ruberto, Kelmendi - Picariello, Baldassarre.

Today, GIUBBAX's strategy involved concentrating on the flanks for their attacks. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of DeporDura. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave R. Valle from DeporDura a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 4 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! D. Cottone of GIUBBAX had to be helped off the pitch as an injury meant he was unable to finish the game. L. Spagnuolo came in to finish the match. DeporDura's C. Ruberto could have put the guests one up after 27 minutes after chasing a through ball from the right, but A. Harding was as fast as a snake, grabbing the ball from under his nose. Given a free kick close to the byline, GIUBBAX tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let R. Vicente Alfambra slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 1 - 0, 29 minutes into the game. DeporDura's defence sent a ball soaring up the middle on a beautiful counterattack with 42 minutes gone, but N. Picariello's finish was met by the reaching hands of the keeper. GIUBBAX almost scored after a swift counterattack 44 minutes into the game, but T. Pohjolainen put the shot from the left flank just outside the goal. 44 minutes in, GIUBBAX's P. Lacey received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. C. Amadio was the unlucky victim and couldn't continue the game, so DeporDura's D. Maffoni had to come off the bench. Halftime score was 1 - 0. GIUBBAX had most of the ball, with 53 percent of possession.

It was obvious that GIUBBAX had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. The home side's P. Lacey came close to extending the lead 47 minutes into the game. His shot came in from the right hand side but C. Andrisano managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop. The GIUBBAX players could smell victory in the air. R. Vicente Alfambra wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for S. Lorito after 60 minutes. P. Lacey became the new GIUBBAX captain. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, L. Spagnuolo got himself booked. The manager of GIUBBAX was not happy. A. Patruno tied the game at 1 - 1 after 76 minutes, when he converted an incredible pass from the right. 82 minutes into the game, N. Picariello had a great chance to put his team ahead, but his kick from the left went wide. GIUBBAX were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. At 85 minutes played, P. Lacey came in from the right with the intention of giving GIUBBAX the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. Possession of the ball saw an equal split between the teams during the forty-five minutes.

T. Pohjolainen performed admirably for GIUBBAX. L. Spagnuolo was a disappointment, however. The most dominating DeporDura player was without a doubt N. Picariello. However, R. Valle made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 1.