Nazareth 2 - 0 Fortis (381664233)

The 39952 spectators at S.Martino Stadium were in for an afternoon of sunshine. György Szűcs was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Izsó Vindisch and Philip Andriessen. Nazareth had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. Lineup: Emiri - Scardia, Errigo - Ibañez, Ardia, Hržina, Secci, Carolino - Marra, Marcandalli, Bertolino.

A 4-3-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Fortis. They fielded: Braksator - Nanni, Treptow, Maistri, Koralp - Nairi, Brinch, Nessler - Maier, Piva, Seljenes.

Fortis were relying on their ability to counter-attack. Many thought J. Carolino ought to have been awarded a penalty 16 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around A. Braksator after a determined run through the middle. Nazareth's M. Ardia was shown a yellow card after 18 minutes for slicing down an opponent. P. Marcandalli caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 22 minutes. This gave Nazareth the 1 - 0 lead. J. Hržina enjoyed the sunshine and demonstrated his stunning technique over and over again. After 32 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by D. Bertolino might have resulted in another goal for Nazareth. However, A. Braksator made a spectacular save. After 33 minutes, the defensive line of Fortis created a counterattack through the middle that gave Y. Koralp a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area with a goal nearly scored by M. Scardia. At last, Nazareth's P. Ibañez was able to backheel the ball in. 2 - 0. Halftime score was 2 - 0. Nazareth enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 69 percent of possession.

With 46 minutes played, the Fortis coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. G. Laneve came on, T. Brinch had to leave the fray. As the captain was no longer on the pitch, D. Nessler took over the role of being the Fortis captain. Nazareth put in a good effort on the right, but P. Marcandalli saw his volley fly wide of the mark 49 minutes into the game. Nazareth's D. Bertolino saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 56 minutes. Coming in on the left, T. Seljenes did everything right to get a goal for Fortis after 67 minutes, but his finishing shot was stabbed clear by the keeper. As usual, P. Maistri tried to use his strength and hard work for the benefit of the team, but the heat hit him hard and he couldn't keep pace at all. P. Marcandalli could have increased the lead after 84 minutes, but his shot hit the post after a nice combination in the middle of the park. Nazareth had most of the ball, with 68 percent of possession.

P. Marcandalli performed admirably for Nazareth. J. Carolino on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Fortis player was without a doubt A. Braksator. G. Maier turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 0.