Richmonds 0 - 3 Bulldogi (382738878)

It had rained all day, but 11975 hardy fans still made it out to Richmonds Arena. David Montoya was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Björn Magnusson and Frédéric Bain. Richmonds had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. They fielded: Ayaz - Makota, Stojković, Vergani, Sviggum - Solomun, Marín Valle, Porceddu, Kica, Žmahar - Straka.

Bulldogi started off with a 3-4-3 lineup. Starters: Lambert - Delleré, Wang-Ombe, Nüchter - Czaja, Gilberto, Fancsalszky, Ibrahim - Šuma, Tabak, Marchesini.

Richmonds tried to focus their attacks down the middle. Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Bulldogi. C. Žmahar slipped and slithered in the wet grass. His usual rapid runs were nowhere to be seen today. After 27 minutes, Bulldogi's G. Gilberto made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 0 - 1. Richmonds were determined to attack in the middle, even their wing attacks ended up centrally. Bulldogi came close to extending their lead as G. Czaja delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 37 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. With 38 minutes played, Bulldogi put themselves up 0 - 2 after an attack from the right, caused by a defensive blunder. The scorer was K. Wang-Ombe. The players of Bulldogi now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. 0 - 2 was the halftime score. Possession in this half belonged to Bulldogi, who controlled the ball 54 percent of the time.

The rain made it hard for players like J. Šuma to show their technical control of the ball on this soggy day. G. Delleré left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 60 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. R. Bleiter was the replacement. 66 minutes into the match, the visitors put themselves ahead 0 - 3 as J. Šuma finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick. The Bulldogi players could smell victory in the air. G. Gilberto wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for V. Kravina after 85 minutes. Bulldogi claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

Richmonds's best player was G. Marín Valle. C. Žmahar was a disappointment, however. Most important Bulldogi player was G. Marchesini. However, Y. Lambert made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 0 - 3.