Cazzupizzu 1 - 3 Rünenberg (369176732)

26177 spectators had found their way to Arena Circo Massimo, despite the heavy rain. Per Månström was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Pauli Niemenmaa and Dominique Helfenberger. Cazzupizzu started off with a 4-5-1 lineup. They fielded: Tóth - Jelnikar, Papp, Chelidze, Szeiler - Bacà, Tron, van Anraat, Calixto, Sellmeier - Furnică.

Rünenberg had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Meneske - Utiger, Horber, Flaig - Bilon, Aoustin, Pfyl, Ginesu, Straub - Wehrda, Burch.

It was an obvious ambition of Cazzupizzu to use their ability at attacking on the flanks. After 21 minutes, D. Bilon sent the corner kick right to M. Wehrda who headed it sharply past the keeper. 0 - 1! A. Burch could have put his team up another goal 25 minutes into the game, after a rush down the left, but his closing shot hit the post. Cazzupizzu's T. Furnică put his head to a high ball coming in from the right after 31 minutes, but the ball went wide. P. Papp was uncomfortable with the soggy pitch as he couldn't move the ball around with his usual grace. A. Burch was, after 39 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors' lead with a well placed diving header after the ball had looped into the centre, but the home side's keeper M. Tóth made the save. A defender managed to keep the ball from crossing the goal-line after a curling shot coming in from the right from T. Horber after 41 minutes, and prevented Rünenberg from going up another goal. The referee showed Rünenberg's M. Wehrda the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. M. Tóth's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for Cazzupizzu, he bravely continued in the match. It was obvious that Cazzupizzu had instructions to attack on the wings instead of in the middle. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave P. Papp from Cazzupizzu a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 44 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! A. Burch spent most of the time in a heap on the ground today, his normally rapid movement hindered by the slippery pitch. It was 0 - 1 at the break. Rünenberg had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

Cazzupizzu needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 54 minutes T. Furnică made way for G. Russett. Had it not been for one of the home defenders, M. Flaig would have put Rünenberg up another goal 56 minutes into the match with his audacious lob from the right wing. 61 minutes in, Cazzupizzu's S. Bacà received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. Given a free kick close to the byline, Rünenberg tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let B. Aoustin slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 0 - 2, 62 minutes into the game. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Rünenberg coach let J. Pelka replace D. Pfyl after 70 minutes. A. Meneske was the new captain of Rünenberg - handed the armband by the departing player. Cazzupizzu were determined to attack on the wing and their central attempts were constantly abandoned in favour of the wings. M. van Anraat knocked one home from a counterattack down the right wing, making the score 1 - 2 after 72 minutes. After 73 minutes, Rünenberg's B. Ginesu burst through the central defence and let loose a cannonball of a shot, scoring for 1 - 3. Rünenberg enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 53 percent of possession.

R. Calixto performed admirably for Cazzupizzu. On the other hand, V. Jelnikar's play was disheartening. Most important Rünenberg player was M. Wehrda. T. Utiger on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 1 - 3.