__Gladiator__ 5 - 1 Mangiapuffi (381671780)

It had rained all day, but 33423 hardy fans still made it out to White Hart Line. Tino Bricker was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Désiré Durot and Lutz-Dieter Andrae. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for __Gladiator__. They fielded: Albrighi - Chosson, Ropek, Brunetti - Brichta, Brandes, Vicinanza, Bakels, Castaldo - Baszak, Tsetis.

Mangiapuffi had chosen a strategic 5-2-3 formation. Starters: Sudnitz - Majstorović, De Benetti, Bertucci, Ottaviano, Tumminia - Pacchioni, Ferfelea - Lavatelli, Casarini, Corazzesi.

Mangiapuffi clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. Slack defending gave __Gladiator__ a chance to take the lead with 2 minutes played, but L. Ropek's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. W. Tsetis, who often relies on his speed, had a rotten day on the drenched grass. J. Brichta made one of his many fine passes from the wing into the middle 17 minutes into the match. S. Baszak bravely attempted to execute a diving header and the ball was met firmly with his forehead for __Gladiator__. 1 - 0. Mangiapuffi had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 24 minutes, but W. Casarini's shot from the left sailed high over the bar. The goal to make it 1 - 1 was scored by G. Majstorović after 27 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by Mangiapuffi. S. Baszak caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 29 minutes. This gave __Gladiator__ the 2 - 1 lead. 33 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as S. Castaldo broke through, making the score 3 - 1 for __Gladiator__. It was 3 - 1 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to __Gladiator__, who controlled the ball 82 percent of the time.

M. Bakels left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 46 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. M. Messner was the replacement. With 60 minutes played, __Gladiator__ put themselves up 4 - 1 when the visiting defenders lost the ball to P. Brandes, who came up from the left and proceeded to coolly round the keeper and knock the ball home. After 62 minutes Mangiapuffi tried to exploit their counterattacking skills, unfortunately, M. Lavatelli's shot sailed wide after his break down the right. After a short break after 65 minutes, __Gladiator__ seemed to change their tactical approach a bit. R. Vicinanza of __Gladiator__ was booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of __Gladiator__ to 5 - 1 as S. Baszak finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. That made three goals for S. Baszak and he was marked down for the hat trick. Mangiapuffi needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 88 minutes V. Pacchioni made way for G. Ursic. After 88 minutes, Mangiapuffi switched B. Ferfelea with G. Ronchi, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by __Gladiator__, with 82 percent of the ball.

J. Brichta performed admirably for __Gladiator__. On the other hand, W. Tsetis's play was disheartening. The most dominating Mangiapuffi player was without a doubt W. Casarini. G. Ronchi turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 5 - 1.