Smrkci 2 - 2 Ljubljana (382733280)

61272 spectators had come to Smrkci Arena this cloudy day. Volker Kaube was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Giampietro Abbate and Iliyan Gruev. Everyone was excited about the upcoming Ljubljana derby and the crowd was divided evenly. Smrkci decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Eckhoff - Messier, Leszkoven, Korolovszky - Puelma, Pezdirc, Bratko, Košenina, Baurer - Fusé, Osmolak.

A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for Ljubljana. They fielded: Bortuzzo - Dominko, Balcazar, Zuccolotto, Westerlaan - Gandini, Stolberg, Prencipe, Petitpas, Blaauw - Šostarka.

Ljubljana clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. With 16 minutes played S. Osmolak almost put the home team one ahead on a cross coming in from the right, but the shot went just wide. After a fine move down the middle S. Osmolak nearly gave the home side a goal after 27 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. Some good play on the left wing created an opportunity for the visitors 29 minutes into the match, and R. Šostarka wasn't about to let it go by. He got past the defenders and fired a shot that the keeper just missed. 0 - 1 for the visitors. The coach of Ljubljana was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 29 minutes, P. Pirhan came on for R. Šostarka. After a short break after 29 minutes, Ljubljana seemed to change their tactical approach a bit. In an effort to secure the lead, Ljubljana changed their tactic after 29 minutes. The Smrkci free kick 31 minutes into the match seemed wasted, as the shot was both short and off target. But was this actually a plan? The ball landed at the feet of S. Košenina, who was completely unmarked in the box. That's 1 - 1! S. Košenina of Smrkci seemed to be floating in the air as he elegantly headed in to make the score 2 - 1 after a corner kick that was nicely executed by G. Puelma. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 1. Smrkci enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

Coming from the right, S. Osmolak almost managed to score another goal for Smrkci, but his header was tipped over the bar by the visitors' keeper. Coming in from the right, Ljubljana had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 48 minutes, but D. Gandini's attempt to finish was easily stopped. The Smrkci players could smell victory in the air. T. Baurer wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for R. Kozole after 56 minutes. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Smrkci coach let F. Boriani replace S. Osmolak after 61 minutes. After 67 minutes a well-practised indirect free kick routine by Smrkci was easily anticipated by the defenders. The players forward were so well marked, they were left with few viable options. G. Puelma 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. J. Defaye was the replacement. Ljubljana were great at switching from defence to attack, and after 81 minutes, J. Dominko swept through the middle on a counterattack, making the score 2 - 2. Possession in this half belonged to Smrkci, who controlled the ball 57 percent of the time.

The most dominating Smrkci player was without a doubt M. Pezdirc. R. Kozole was a disappointment, however. Ljubljana's top performer was clearly P. Pirhan. However, A. Westerlaan made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 2.