Molare 2 - 4 Topsofthetoptopper (381681387)

Fairly good weather for football had drawn a crowd of 28921 to Pro Molare Arena. Karl-Heinz Simon was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Ned Cahill and Jouko Henttala. Molare had chosen a strategic 5-4-1 formation. Lineup: Pagura - Lotz, Marastoni, Van Tuyne, van Witsen, Barnøe - Saarman, Scaramozzino, Alberani, Séron - Amado.

Topsofthetoptopper decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Andreani - Cantaro, Talker, Winker - Troyer, Masciadri, Vecchi, Santoro, Mallett - Torngård, Paredi.

For their match strategy, Molare had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. Topsofthetoptopper's goal to make the score 0 - 1 came via a questionable penalty, but D. Vecchi struck it home without a second thought. Molare's A. Alberani put his head to a high ball coming in from the right after 22 minutes, but the ball went wide. A well placed corner kick from D. Vecchi was followed by B. Talker's hard but accurate header. The well executed routine resulted in a goal for Topsofthetoptopper, the score now 0 - 2. After 27 minutes, C. Scaramozzino had a good opportunity to reduce the scoreline for Molare with a chance created through the middle, but wasn't cool enough. The ball went miles over the bar. 0 - 2 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to Topsofthetoptopper, who controlled the ball 57 percent of the time.

After 65 minutes, the defensive line of Molare created a counterattack through the middle that gave E. Marastoni a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. L. Santoro left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 70 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. A. Rensonnet was the replacement. After 70 minutes, the Topsofthetoptopper players received new instructions from their manager on how to keep in control of the game. With a penalty awarded after 76 minutes, Molare's A. Alberani placed the ball low and to the keeper's right, impossible to block. 1 - 2. The goal to make it 2 - 2 was scored by M. Amado after 78 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by Molare. 81 minutes into the match, Topsofthetoptopper's F. Mallett demonstrated his famed speed as he raced past his marker and passed the ball to F. Paredi who chipped it in for 2 - 3. Some fine movement on the left led to a Topsofthetoptopper goal after 82 minutes, making it 2 - 4. F. Mallett was noted down as the scorer. At this point, it was obvious that the players of Topsofthetoptopper lowered the tempo and became more defensively oriented. Topsofthetoptopper claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 60 percent.

M. Amado performed admirably for Molare. However, A. Barnøe made a disastrous appearance. Topsofthetoptopper's best player was D. Vecchi. B. Talker was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 4.