Samba 1 - 0 Disgrazia (381684347)

Due to an all-day shower, 36153 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Sambodromo. Gouke Haagen was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Erling Jakobsen and François Laroche. Samba tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Lineup: Strohmeier - Provenzano, Lima, Manno - Fenner, Mlącki, Knap, Mateo, Iturberoaga - Labunda, Carrillo.

Disgrazia had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. They fielded: Pierri - Ingraudo, Pind, Lazzari, Felentzer - Cecchi, Truglio, Potesta, Praolini - Urut, Conticini.

Some great play up the middle by Samba led to a chance for J. Lima to score after 12 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. With 15 minutes played, the home side managed to get a 1 - 0 lead as R. Fenner flipped the ball in after a cross from the right. With 21 minutes played, P. Manno of Samba fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. Disgrazia were close to putting the equaliser away after 25 minutes as the opposing defence lost control of the ball to K. Urut in a scuffle towards the left of the goal, but in the end the ball was cleared over the dead ball line. It was 1 - 0 at the break. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Samba, with 59 percent of the ball.

Samba's R. Carrillo saw his fine effort strike the top of the bar following some good work up the middle by his teammates after 58 minutes. D. Mateo did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. A counterattack by Disgrazia after 78 minutes could have resulted in a goal, but M. Truglio, coming in on the left, couldn't get the shot off. The muddy pitch made the game a gritty affair, which seemed to suit F. Knap just fine. Samba enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 59 percent of possession.

Most important Samba player was R. Carrillo. On the other hand, A. Provenzano's play was disheartening. Disgrazia's best player was G. Cecchi. However, F. Felentzer made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 1 - 0.