Botev 2002 0 - 2 FCBurgas (382592218)

The 52420 fans in attendance at botev arena were roasting in the hot sun. Jean Gilles was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Cosimo Interdonato and Stephane de Rougemont. Botev 2002 had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Garben - Vidal, Łopaciuk, Koch - Maresca, Kúrkov, Gúlúbov, Iliev, Chobanov - Porubszki, Buchev.

FCBurgas started off with a 5-3-2 lineup. Lineup: Valdivieso - Crom, Dumand, Nikali, Suttner, Pehlivan - Spaletta, Pilnáček, Mutin - Magalhães Alves, Dijoux.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for FCBurgas. After 15 minutes, the defensive line of FCBurgas created a counterattack through the middle that gave T. Nikali a good look at the goal, but his shot glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. A counterattack by FCBurgas after 27 minutes could have resulted in a goal, but A. Dijoux, coming in on the left, couldn't get the shot off. A. Gúlúbov received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 34 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. At 36 minutes played, A. Iliev came in from the right with the intention of giving Botev 2002 the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. FCBurgas almost scored after a swift counterattack 37 minutes into the game, but L. Dumand put the shot from the left flank just outside the goal. 0 - 0 was the halftime score. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Botev 2002, with 69 percent of the ball.

Botev 2002 made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in on the right hand side left A. Iliev completely alone with keeper R. Valdivieso, who made a spectacular block. Botev 2002 were very close to putting themselves one up after 78 minutes as E. Kúrkov got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. FCBurgas were able to draw a foul with their counterattacks, but the shot from R. Mutin went into the arms of the keeper. It was a hot and sunny day, and several players seemed worn out. Maybe this was why A. Dijoux found an unusual amount of space for his snappy footwork. After a fine move down the middle B. Koch nearly gave the home side a goal after 81 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. FCBurgas's A. Dijoux had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 82 minutes having been played. V. Peychev was the replacement. The goal to make it 0 - 1 was scored by M. Crom after 84 minutes, following an opportunistic counterattack down the middle by FCBurgas. 85 minutes in, Botev 2002's B. Koch received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. M. Crom sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from R. Mutin after 87 minutes of play, making the score 0 - 2. Botev 2002 enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 68 percent of possession.

Most important Botev 2002 player was I. Porubszki. However, S. Chobanov made a disastrous appearance. T. Nikali performed admirably for FCBurgas. R. Valdivieso on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0 - 2.