Swiss 3 - 0 GCZ (384953629)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 24293 at Swiss Arena today. Adriano Diamanti was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mats Palk and Alexander Castaldo. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Swiss. They fielded: Menzer - Brinker, Vicente Fernandes, Bahrani - Żyła, Cilli, Delaunet, Lamdauer, Rotenburg - Davis, Noble.

GCZ had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Lineup: Mammoliti - Federigi, Rojas Marcos, Cassani, Vinigiu - Oudermans, Rafferty, Bielesz, Adami - Martin, Gertig.

The wings were the focus of most of Swiss's attacks today. For their match strategy, GCZ had decided to use their ability to counter-attack whenever possible. With 10 minutes gone, E. Cassani suddenly found himself completely free on the right wing when a counterattack by GCZ caught their opponents by surprise. Only a great save by the opposing keeper prevented him from scoring. Some great play up the middle by Swiss led to a chance for D. Delaunet to score after 34 minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar. After 39 minutes, D. Delaunet sent the corner kick right to R. Rotenburg who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 0! Swiss managed to extend their lead to 2 - 0 when G. Noble cut in neatly from the left side and struck a fine shot past the away team's goalkeeper. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 0. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Swiss, with 66 percent of the ball.

The crowd roared its approval when D. Menzer somehow managed to block a shot which seemed to be a certain goal by GCZ's M. Bielesz 77 minutes into the game. Swiss increased the lead as J. Davis struck to make the score 3 - 0 after an attack from the left left him unmarked in front of the keeper. By now, the players in Swiss felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. GCZ's L. Adami had to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines, after twisting his ankle with 87 minutes having been played. F. Poleggi was the replacement. M. Bielesz received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 88 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. GCZ's O. Martin got himself booked for a foul. Possession in this half belonged to Swiss, who controlled the ball 63 percent of the time.

The most dominating Swiss player was without a doubt G. Noble. However, D. Menzer made a disastrous appearance. GCZ's top performer was clearly C. Gertig. M. Mammoliti turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 0.