Sportivii 0 - 1 RealBacau (380793042)

It had rained all day, but 29273 hardy fans still made it out to Sport Arena. Roberto Castaño was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Andri Felder and Kevin Bonn. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Sportivii. The following players had been chosen: Lupea - Mayorga, Toivonranta, Myhren - Cesqui, Petkov, Dahlmo, Lautanpää, Tang - Grò, Gabilondo.

RealBacau had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Starters: Marchiori - Francoli, Gabert, Elespuru - Habicht, Bernhardsson, Honegger, Feresopoulos, Santos Rodrigues - Chivu, Hartlapp.

RealBacau were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. RealBacau had several good opportunities to take the lead, especially 11 minutes in when D. Chivu came up alone against A. Lupea who managed a block. Thighs bulging, O. Toivonranta charged past the weaker players, seemingly oblivious to the rain. With the clock showing 22 minutes played, a great pass from the defensive line of RealBacau resulted in a counterattack that was smoothly brought under control by D. Feresopoulos in the centre of the opposition's penalty area, but his finish went high. RealBacau's F. Francoli was shown a yellow card after 26 minutes for slicing down an opponent. Sportivii were forced into a substitution as J. Tang couldn't continue due to some rough treatment, forcing S. Namorado to come in off the bench. The rain made it hard for players like F. Grò to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day. Sportivii had a chance to take the lead after F. Grò's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled out as his shot went just over the bar after 29 minutes. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave Ø. Myhren from Sportivii a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 36 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Some great play up the middle by Sportivii led to a chance for K. Petkov to score after 37 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. D. Chivu, who often relies on his speed, had a rotten day on the drenched grass. Sportivii's L. Lautanpää left the field after 41 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was L. Sobala. S. Namorado was handed the Sportivii captain's armband. RealBacau's F. Bernhardsson had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 42 minutes having been played. I. Pleşu was the replacement. Halftime score was 0 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to Sportivii, who controlled the ball 60 percent of the time.

Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 49 minutes into the match left RealBacau's V. Habicht completely free to score. 0 - 1 for the visitors. The referee showed RealBacau's R. Elespuru the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. O. Toivonranta's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for Sportivii, he bravely continued in the match. J. Hartlapp could have put his team up another goal 64 minutes into the game, after a rush down the left, but his closing shot hit the post. L. Sobala charged down the left and had a wonderful opportunity to score the equaliser for Sportivii, but the shot went well wide of the goal. Sportivii had to make a substitution after 74 minutes. L. Sobala limped off the field and was replaced by D. Wilson. Sportivii had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

The most dominating Sportivii player was without a doubt F. Grò. D. Wilson was a disappointment, however. RealBacau's top performer was clearly R. Elespuru. However, I. Pleşu made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 0 - 1.