Ciuda 7 - 2 Linfa (382890490)

57535 punters turned up at Coliseo Ciudabilístico Balompédico, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Anvars Bleideļs was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Dreas Coghe and Josip Dubel. Ciuda had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Laín Entralgo - Groszmann, Sahin - Herbst, Mínguez, Pluhař, Sapov, Kamp - Urquizu, Helbing, Gerverdinck.

Linfa decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Andronescu - Trust, Lech, Brandt - Sandu, Echauri, van Teijens, Michalík, Zima - Nipuli, Amori.

R. Herbst was the first to reach the corner kick, but his header was blocked by the keeper. However, Ciuda's I. Pluhař managed to get hold of the rebound and tucked the ball into the empty net. 1 - 0 I. Andronescu was caught napping as S. Urquizu lifted a ball over him following a free kick, but the ball hit the bar, rebounding into the keeper's arms. 21 minutes into the game Linfa's C. Amori found a gap in the home side's central defence and scored with a fabulous shot, making it 1 - 1. The home side put themselves ahead 2 - 1 after 36 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from D. Sapov, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. Ciuda managed to extend their lead to 3 - 1 when J. Kamp cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. The players of Ciuda now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. Linfa's K. Trust had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 40 minutes having been played. C. Varela was the replacement. Cheers filled the stadium as S. Urquizu broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 4 - 1 to Ciuda. Halftime score was 4 - 1. Ciuda claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 59 percent.

After 50 minutes, Linfa switched C. Brandt with V. Hissa, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. A bit later, Linfa's R. Zima easily reduced the lead to 4 - 2 after a misunderstanding in the home side's central defence. Ciuda increased the lead as R. Mínguez struck to make the score 5 - 2 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. The coach of Ciuda was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 60 minutes, J. Álvarez came on for B. Helbing. R. Herbst was the new captain of Ciuda - handed the armband by the departing player. P. Echauri neatly controlled the ball after a short corner, and knocked it on to V. Hissa who had the whole net open before him, but only managed to hit the post. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. S. Urquizu squirmed through their central defence after 62 minutes, increasing the lead to 6 - 2. R. Herbst wanted to play on, but the Ciuda coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 70 minutes into the game by R. Clos. The Ciuda captaincy was handed to D. Sapov. 76 minutes into the match S. Urquizu put Ciuda ahead 7 - 2 with a truly marvelous free kick. By then S. Urquizu had scored three goals - a hat trick! S. Urquizu had a fantastic opportunity to put Ciuda up another goal 80 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. Ciuda had most of the ball, with 64 percent of possession.

S. Urquizu performed admirably for Ciuda. On the other hand, C. Groszmann's play was disheartening. The most dominating Linfa player was without a doubt A. Nipuli. C. Varela was a disappointment, however. The match ends 7 - 2.