Wonder 3 - 0 Beethoven (377023407)

A scorching day at Peppino Prisco, where 523 spectators were in place for today's match. Marek Podhorný was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Helmut Sünter and Mika Lehtisaari. Wonder started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: van Sonsbeek - Bachmann, Gerino, Gaspar - Nicoli, Mota, Rose, Garzia, Pongreungrong - Kittl, Dinç.

Beethoven had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Fodor - Nunes, Gallo, Sillobre - Valente, Piconese, Viñuela, Pascuzzi - Bunghiuz, Seeberger, Trohe.

Wonder displayed their ability to play creatively. The sun seemed to put E. Pascuzzi in a great mood, and he showed off his technical skills all match long. Some great play up the middle by Wonder led to a chance for A. Mota to score after 30 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. After 37 minutes Beethoven's D. Sillobre contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 0. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Beethoven, with 52 percent of the ball.

Given a free kick close to the byline, Wonder tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let J. Kittl slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 1 - 0, 50 minutes into the game. The Wonder players could smell victory in the air. H. Dinç wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for A. Tessitore after 55 minutes. Beethoven's R. Bunghiuz got himself booked for a foul. A. Mota wanted to play on, but the Wonder coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 60 minutes into the game by J. Suutarinen. 64 minutes in, Wonder's A. Tessitore received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. The bench was restless, and with 65 minutes passed Beethoven's coach gave A. Weisel the opportunity the player had been hoping for. C. Gallo reluctantly left the field. A. Piconese of Beethoven had to be helped off the pitch as an injury meant he was unable to finish the game. A. Öberg came in to finish the match. Wonder put themselves up 2 - 0 when P. Garzia broke through on the right, leaving the entire defence trailing in his wake. With 80 minutes played, P. Bachmann of Wonder fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. After 84 minutes, Wonder sent a free kick in high over the penalty box. In what looked like a well-rehearsed move, the ball was headed backwards and reached J. Suutarinen, who had plenty of space to place a well aimed shot - 3 - 0. At this point, it was obvious that the players of Wonder lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. Beethoven's C. Viñuela was shown a yellow card after 86 minutes for slicing down an opponent. With 87 minutes played, P. Garzia could have brought this one home for Wonder as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high. When F. Trohe was badly injured by a couple of strong tackles after 88 minutes, Beethoven fans were unhappy to discover that it was not possible to make a substitution. Wonder enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 64 percent of possession.

Wonder's best player was J. Kittl. However, P. Garzia made a disastrous appearance. C. Viñuela performed admirably for Beethoven. A. Öberg was a disappointment, however. The match ends 3 - 0.