SulaWi 4 - 6 Team (379629338)

4178 punters turned up at Kaurialan Stadion, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Roderik Duinker was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Anthony Largeau and Antti Väänänen. A 5-5-0 alignment was the formation of choice for SulaWi. The following players had been chosen: Kala - Gościański, Zappoli, Terlouw, Markov, Wielgórski - Elmikäinen, Serzhantov, Ollinen, Kellokumpu, Van Dyck -.

Team started off with a 3-4-3 lineup. Starters: Baines - Aves, Radcliffe, Marin - Boyle, Wiśniak, Doberski, Thackwray - Tomi, Kaska, Eder.

For their match strategy, SulaWi had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. When A. Wiśniak left the game because of a back injury after 22 minutes, Team had to continue a man short due to there being no available replacements. 27 minutes into the game, SulaWi had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to inadequate. SulaWi took the lead 30 minutes in, as V. Terlouw broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. SulaWi's F. Zappoli swung in a good chance from the left, but the visitors' defence were able to clear the ball. The home team will be cursing A. Marin for weeks; he finished off a great pass from the left, knocking it past the keeper without a problem. The match was level at 1 - 1 after 34 minutes. After 41 minutes of play, P. Serzhantov gave the home team a 2 - 1 lead after an attack coming in from the right. 2 - 1 was the score after the first half. SulaWi enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 67 percent of possession.

Despite his frustration resulting in the smashing of a few teacups, the coach of SulaWi was able to get his message across, and raised SulaWi's organisation to solid. E. Thackwray of Team was able to make an impressive rush past the sluggish B. Gościański, which resulted in a goal making the score 2 - 2. 60 minutes had elapsed when a great chance for SulaWi to take the lead after a good cross from the right found P. Serzhantov alone with the keeper, but he chipped it to the wrong side of the post. SulaWi had a good opportunity to take the lead as P. Serzhantov came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into the arms of L. Baines. M. Boyle sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from A. Doberski after 74 minutes of play, making the score 2 - 3. SulaWi's P. Serzhantov made an attempt at equalising 77 minutes into the match, coming in from the right, but the ball hit the post and the defence easily cleared the rebound. After 79 minutes, T. Kellokumpu got through on the right and was very close to equalising for the home side, but didn't get the shot away. After 80 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as SulaWi found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to inadequate. Due to some great work on the right wing SulaWi's J. Elmikäinen was able to even the score after 81 minutes to make the score 3 - 3. SulaWi had most of the ball, with 68 percent of possession.

As neither team was able to break the deadlock before the end of regular play, the teams took to the field again for extra time. A review of the gameplan helped SulaWi get back to a solid organisation when the referee blew his whistle again. At 96 minutes played, T. Ollinen came in from the right with the intention of giving SulaWi the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. With the score still deadlocked after extra time, the teams took to the field for a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.

SulaWi's B. Gościański coolly put the ball past L. Baines. 4 - 3. Team's R. Tomi didn't look like he was confident as he stepped up, and produced a badly struck penalty - right into the arms of R. Kala. The score remained 4 - 3. Oooh - how unlucky! SulaWi's T. Kellokumpu attempt hit the underside of the bar, but rebounded down into the grateful arms of L. Baines. The score stays 4 - 3. Team's F. Eder cockily booted the ball with a short-and-fast instep. The penalty, going just wide of the mark, didn't produce a goal. SulaWi's E. Markov looked like he knew exactly where he wanted to put the ball, but unfortunately his shot went wide of the left hand post. Still 4 - 3. Team's D. Aves showed he has nerves of steel when it comes to penalties, easily changing the score to 4 - 4. SulaWi's F. Zappoli penalty shot was very well placed but L. Baines went the right way, blocking it spectacularly. The score was still 4 - 4. Team's L. Baines made no mistake. R. Kala didn't have a chance. 4 - 5. SulaWi's E. Wielgórski looked nervous even as he was putting the ball on the spot. He didn't take much of a run up, and his weak shot was easily saved by the keeper. Team's A. Doberski kept his cool as he faced down R. Kala. His composure paid off as he scored easily for 4 - 6. The most dominating SulaWi player was without a doubt P. Serzhantov. On the other hand, T. Ollinen's play was disheartening. F. Eder performed admirably for Team. However, L. Baines made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 4 - 6.