Hammer 3 - 1 United (384122306)

Due to an all-day shower, 33310 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at The Hammer Arena. Vasile Mihali was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Rui Pedro Esteves and Víctor Mazo Calvo. Hammer had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Sommerhalder - Cajot, Bohnstedt, Bonnet - Indahl, Helgesen, Cornea, Finnesand, Eggen - Luzii, Aimard.

United tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. Starters: Tamir - Danninger, Thyen, Peruničić - Serres, Kryeziu, Varela, Quasten, Giustra - Moreno, De Rose.

Hammer seemed to prefer attacking in the middle. A mistake by the home side's central defence after 5 minutes allowed F. Giustra to score for United. The scoreboard now read 0 - 1. After 20 minutes, Hammer's J. Helgesen fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! After 23 minutes, Hammer raised their score by one when I. Eggen's dangerous low cross was cleverly tucked in at the near post by C. Luzii. 1 - 1. O. Moreno had a good try after 26 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. A. Bohnstedt didn't let the weather get him down and made some great moves on the pitch in spite of the rain. 34 minutes into the match and the home team took a 2 - 1 lead after breaking through on the left. The scorer for Hammer was E. Indahl. A. Thyen did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. It was obvious that team Hammer had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. It was 2 - 1 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to United, who controlled the ball 55 percent of the time.

D. De Rose made a run for the goal 53 minutes into the game but the home team's left back managed to sort the situation out in the end. D. De Rose had a hard time on the waterlogged pitch - his trademark technique was nowhere in sight today. The home side's J. Helgesen came close to extending the lead 62 minutes into the game. His shot came in from the right hand side but E. Tamir managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop. An equalising goal seemed certain after 73 minutes when T. Quasten attacked down the left wing, but J. Sommerhalder just managed to make a save to keep the ball out of the net. Hammer solidified their lead at the 76 minute mark, as M. Aimard dribbled the ball through the opposing central defence and scored to make it 3 - 1. Confident in their lead, Hammer's players relaxed and focused more on defending the lead than increasing it. With 77 minutes played, T. Quasten had a fantastic opportunity to reply but his shot flew harmlessly into the side-netting of the goal. United enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 55 percent of possession.

Hammer's best player was A. Bohnstedt. I. Eggen was a disappointment, however. M. Kryeziu performed admirably for United. G. Danninger turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 1.