CIEMS" 2 - 4 Madagascar (381505538)

38511 spectators had found their way to +SC ARENA+, despite the heavy rain. Jon Torbjärnsson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ullrich Spinner and Gustaw Pieczka. CIEMS" started off with a 2-5-3 lineup. Starters: Coronado - Živić , Popov - Milanov, Paschek, Møller, Taiber, Rapino - Bild, Andor, Dinvietis.

Madagascar tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. The following players took the field: Silakka - Lipko, Westman, Rozentāls-Rožleja - Sampolahti, Paškēvičs, Ivanovs, Kociuba, Baxter - Griparis, Accorsi.

Madagascar's J. Kociuba managed to lose the defenders as he advanced down the right wing and scored, putting the visitors ahead after 8 minutes. 0 - 1. The crowd roared in delight as S. Bild finished off a spectacular series of passes through the middle to even the score for CIEMS" 20 minutes into the match. 1 - 1. A mistake by the home side's central defence after 22 minutes allowed T. Sampolahti to score for Madagascar. The scoreboard now read 1 - 2. T. Sampolahti did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. With 28 minutes gone, CIEMS" had a free kick in a decent position. Despite this being a great chance for a shot, they tried a cheeky move intended to bypass the defence. However, Z. Andor did not manage to connect with it cleanly and the ball went out. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 2. CIEMS" had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

E. Rapino didn't let the weather get him down and made some great moves on the pitch in spite of the rain. CIEMS" needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 52 minutes U. Møller made way for P. Inclimona. 59 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 1 - 3 as K. Baxter finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. At 60 minutes into the game, CIEMS"'s Z. Andor deftly knocked the ball home after an impressive run down the left, reducing the visitors' lead to 2 - 3. Madagascar's M. Rozentāls-Rožleja was shown a yellow card after 65 minutes for slicing down an opponent. The referee showed Madagascar's J. Kociuba the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The bench was restless, and with 67 minutes passed CIEMS"'s coach gave K. Bozhilov the opportunity the player had been hoping for. M. Milanov reluctantly left the field. Z. Andor's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for CIEMS", he bravely continued in the match. S. Bild was just a finger's breadth away from an equaliser for CIEMS" with a strike from the left, but M. Silakka managed to ward the shot off for a corner. CIEMS"'s I. Paschek was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 75 minutes. Madagascar increased their lead after 80 minutes when A. Griparis broke through on the right, upping the score to 2 - 4, much to the home crowd's dismay. Z. Andor almost reduced the deficit, having drawn the entire left side defence away, but the shot went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. CIEMS" enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

S. Bild performed admirably for CIEMS". On the other hand, K. Bozhilov's play was disheartening. Madagascar's top performer was clearly G. Accorsi. However, T. Sampolahti made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 4.