Stjerne 3 - 4 Hotshot (389526449)

11922 fans braved the pouring rain at Brune Stjerne Egholm Park. Humphrey Horsting was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Zarpas Sagrera and Igor Parada. Stjerne decided to use a 2-5-3 set up. Lineup: Tomsen - Bødker, Nielsen - Lunding, Jensen, Klode, Stougaard, Steenberg - Johansen, Grinden, Jokanović.

Hotshot tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. The following players took the field: Møllebjerg - Primdal, Krøyer, Klærke, Rysgaard, Amdisen - Hinrichsen, Berthelsen, Hemmingsen, Mørup - Bjørn.

The wings were the focus of most of Stjerne's attacks today. Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Hotshot. Stjerne broke through on the left 20 minutes into the game, with T. Jensen firing in from an acute angle to give the home side a 1 - 0 lead. In a rapid move 24 minutes into the match, N. Hinrichsen of Hotshot lost his man and passed the ball to the unmarked R. Bjørn who easily hit it home to make it 1 - 1. Luckily the ref didn't see him taunting the opposing fans in celebration - naughty boy! Stjerne had a chance to take the lead after G. Grinden's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled out as his shot went just over the bar after 33 minutes. After a fine move down the middle T. Johansen nearly gave the home side a goal after 34 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. S. Rysgaard stunned the crowd with a brilliant counterattack from the left, giving Hotshot the goal to make it 1 - 2. After 37 minutes, T. Jensen got through on the right and was very close to equalising for the home side, but didn't get the shot away. S. Rysgaard was first to reach a ball launched long through the center from Hotshot's defence 38 minutes into the game. He managed to keep his cool and beat the goalkeeper to make the score 1 - 3. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 3. Stjerne enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 64 percent of possession.

L. Berthelsen, who often relies on his speed, had a rotten day on the drenched grass. 56 minutes into the match, Stjerne's T. Johansen collected a ball sent down the right and put it in the back of the net, narrowing the score to 2 - 3. While defending the Hotshot lead, S. Rysgaard got a new role. 64 minutes in the game, his coach ordered him to change positions with N. Hinrichsen. The coach of Hotshot was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 65 minutes, C. Tomasson came on for S. Rysgaard. The Stjerne coach was desperate to reverse his team's fortunes in the game, and ordered his team to change strategy. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Hotshot coach let J. Falk replace J. Hemmingsen after 70 minutes. The Stjerne players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. M. Mørup left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 75 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. H. Holt was the replacement. After 75 minutes, Stjerne switched T. Johansen with R. Singh, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. Some things can only be learned through experience, and K. Krøyer should take his lesson to heart after nearly gifting Stjerne a goal with 75 minutes of the match played. Stjerne equalised after 81 minutes after a brilliantly placed penalty by T. Bødker. Slack defending gave Stjerne a chance to take the lead with 81 minutes played, but L. Stougaard's cross from the left flank was fumbled in front of the goal and easily dealt with by the opposition. A quick counter attack by Hotshot forced the opponent's defender to give away a freekick. J. Falk was allowed to take it quickly by the referee, much to the dismay of the goalkeeper who wasn't prepared. 3 - 4! 84 minutes in, Hotshot's R. Bjørn received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. Possession in this half belonged to Stjerne, who controlled the ball 66 percent of the time.

T. Klode performed admirably for Stjerne. M. Tomsen on the other hand, had a terrible day. Hotshot's best player was K. Møllebjerg. On the other hand, H. Holt's play was disheartening. The match ends 3 - 4.