Kostas 2 - 2 Amial (386256220)

The 40890 fans in attendance at Kostas Team Arena were roasting in the hot sun. Gregor Löwensprung was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Adelino Alves Nunes and Carlos Salvador Bécar. Kostas tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. The following players had been chosen: Forte - Aubert, Hazevoet, Sinkko - Brixtofte, Bois, Börjesson, Evenboer - Haberl, Tufekdžić, Georgiev.

A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Amial. Starters: Quinteros - Strauss, Vinterström, Sommariva - Ramos, Donea, Anolli, Magnusson, Moul - Koponen, Havsteen.

Kostas mostly ignored the flanks in favour of their ability to attack in the middle. Some good play on the left wing created an opportunity for the visitors 2 minutes into the match, and R. Strauss wasn't about to let it go by. He got past the defenders and fired a shot that the keeper just missed. 0 - 1 for the visitors. After 33 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed P. Sommariva to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 0 - 2. The players of Amial now seemed to think the job was done and acted more defensively, just waiting for the ref to blow the final whistle. Kostas's S. Sinkko cut towards the middle after 34 minutes, receiving a brilliant pass and slicing through the visiting team's central defence, reducing the lead to 1 - 2. It was obvious that team Kostas had instructions to attack in the middle instead of on the wings. After 36 minutes, I. Georgiev made a dash down the middle past the away team's defenders to score the goal that made it 2 - 2. The referee showed Kostas's S. Sinkko the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The teams went for the halftime break at 2 - 2. Amial had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave P. Anolli from Amial a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 63 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! After 65 minutes, the Amial coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving R. Strauss off the field. E. Picasso took his place. The coach of Amial wanted to try to change things around after 65 minutes, and gave new tactical instructions. After 66 minutes, the Kostas coach had a quick word about the tactical set-up and decided to try another approach. 70 minutes into the match, the Amial manager wanted to try a new tactic, and the players loyally obliged. As usual, M. Koponen tried to use his strength and hard work for the benefit of the team, but the heat hit him hard and he couldn't keep pace at all. The visitors were very close to gaining the lead with a marvellous free kick after 79 minutes, but L. Forte made a beautiful one-handed save. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Amial, with 54 percent of the ball.

Kostas's best player was T. Haberl. On the other hand, L. Forte's play was disheartening. P. Anolli performed admirably for Amial. However, A. Quinteros made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 2 - 2.