Train 1 - 0 Delmenhorst-Bottrop (384520260)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 18681 at Black Ice Arena today. Paul-Werner von Ellm was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Rodrigo Saborido and Sergio Nicastro. Train tactics involved an interesting 5-3-2 combination. The following players had been chosen: Olaya - Kurlat, Le Guennec, Dürkop, Mpoourekidis, Hollo - Rouaud, Kiesau, Grassere - Calado, Clavero.

Delmenhorst-Bottrop decided to use a 5-5-0 set up. Starters: Leguet - Lai, Kropfhammer, Grebenau, Jouin, Lennartsson - Labio, Adamsen, Nybrant, Meerdink, Gritskov -.

Train clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. Delmenhorst-Bottrop used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. With 12 minutes gone, P. Clavero suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by Train caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. Train were able to mount several counterattacks, such as the impressive one after 15 minutes, but H. Kiesau lofted a free kick over the crossbar. The pressing tactics used by Delmenhorst-Bottrop were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. Delmenhorst-Bottrop's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. After 22 minutes, Train's A. Kurlat fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! 24 minutes into the game, Delmenhorst-Bottrop had difficulty finding their positions and their organisation dropped to weak. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 0. Delmenhorst-Bottrop had most of the ball, with 51 percent of possession.

The Delmenhorst-Bottrop players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a passable organisation when the game started again. 46 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Train substitution. H. Melchart came on for W. Rouaud. At this time in the match, Delmenhorst-Bottrop were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. After 60 minutes, the Train coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving M. Mpoourekidis off the field. R. Eresch took his place. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, L. Jouin got himself booked. The manager of Delmenhorst-Bottrop was not happy. 63 minutes into the game, Delmenhorst-Bottrop seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to weak. D. Calado would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. R. Radinardi entered the game for Train as the match clock showed 70 minutes. M. Dürkop caused the crowd to go mental with his goal up the middle after 76 minutes. This gave Train the 1 - 0 lead. After a short break after 77 minutes, Train seemed to change their tactical approach a bit. In the lead, Train adjusted their style of play with 77 minutes gone. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave S. Kropfhammer from Delmenhorst-Bottrop a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 86 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! After 87 minutes Delmenhorst-Bottrop's M. Grebenau contracted a slight foot injury, but didn't want to leave the game. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Train, with 53 percent of the ball.

P. Clavero performed admirably for Train. P. Olaya turned in a dismal performance, however. The most dominating Delmenhorst-Bottrop player was without a doubt Y. Gritskov. E. Leguet on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 1 - 0.