Praga-płd 5 - 2 sambdoria (387416066)

Due to an all-day shower, 9557 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Praga-płd W-wa Arena. Kjell Tornwald was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mitko Bozhinov and Donato Mastrota. Praga-płd started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. They fielded: Durand-Wever - Radzio, Domènec, deBruyne, Gutierrez - Falát, Fetto, Miśkowiec, Rechenauer - Reis Freitas, Griffiths.

sambdoria had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. Lineup: Valdecañas - Armiński, Vasilescu, Ceglarz, Jachimski - Stefański, Martín, Alecrim, Mijares - Boni, Partl.

Praga-płd used their skill at pressing to cut off the attack angles of their opponents all over the field. sambdoria were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. sambdoria's V. Vasilescu gave the visitors a 0 - 1 lead after 13 minutes with a superb strike from the right. W. Stefański was, after 16 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors' lead with a well placed diving header after the ball had looped into the centre, but the home side's keeper E. Durand-Wever made the save. V. Rechenauer's experience almost gave Praga-płd a goal after 19 minutes but the keeper made a great save. Due to some great work on the right wing Praga-płd's N. Reis Freitas was able to even the score after 20 minutes to make the score 1 - 1. V. Rechenauer of Praga-płd received a yellow card after 31 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. sambdoria made it 1 - 2 as T. Partl got a touch to the floated corner kick and flicked the ball to V. Vasilescu who whipped a low drive in off the far post. With 34 minutes played, Praga-płd's N. Reis Freitas found an opening in the visitors' left side defence, but his shot was handled easily by the keeper. After 35 minutes of game time, N. Armiński had an excellent opportunity to add to the visitors' lead, clipping a volley hooked in from the right, but E. Durand-Wever was in the right place and tipped the ball over for a corner. T. Griffiths showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 37 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 2 - 2 equaliser away. 44 minutes into the game, sambdoria wanted to bring some new energy to their game. P. Valdecañas gave M. Amichai a quick hug as he left the field. Halftime score was 2 - 2. Praga-płd enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

sambdoria's W. Stefański could have put the guests one up after 47 minutes after chasing a through ball from the right, but E. Durand-Wever was as fast as a snake, grabbing the ball from under his nose. After 50 minutes, the sambdoria coach wanted to see a new face on the pitch, waving T. Partl off the field. M. Mur took his place. A questionable penalty 53 minutes in gave the home side the lead, 3 - 2. The visitors' goalie didn't stand a chance as M. deBruyne knocked the ball home. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave V. Vasilescu from sambdoria a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 55 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Praga-płd's M. deBruyne was shown a yellow card after 58 minutes for slicing down an opponent. With 60 minutes played, the sambdoria coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. B. Gumola came on, A. Alecrim had to leave the fray. A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Praga-płd to 4 - 2 as S. Fetto finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. Praga-płd's L. Falát was dominating his wing and kept sending fine balls into the opposition's box - T. Griffiths managed to volley one of them into the net to make it 5 - 2 after 72 minutes. Praga-płd's T. Griffiths had an excellent opportunity after 75 minutes, shooting after receiving a pass from the right hand side, but he missed the goal by miles! When M. deBruyne made yet another studs-first tackle after 84 minutes, the referee was obliged to book the Praga-płd player for the second time, sending him off the pitch. Praga-płd had most of the ball, with 52 percent of possession.

T. Griffiths performed admirably for Praga-płd. L. Falát turned in a dismal performance, however. The most dominating sambdoria player was without a doubt H. Martín. However, M. Amichai made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 5 - 2.