Kotka 4 - 1 Thåström (392488428)

31550 punters turned up at Bernt Björk arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Marin Mateev was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Giuseppe Maggio and Evaristo Abal. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Kotka. Lineup: Torres - Cagnoni, Marr, Sunthirarat - Brussmann, Troshanov, Brogna, Fernández Mesa, Hoxhallari - Orrù, Geenens.

Thåström started off with a 3-4-2 lineup. Starters: Jurgiel - Sipos, Perič, Escajadillo - Tarnacki, Silletti, Brach, Jespersson - Kullener, Lewér.

Thåström used their ability to concentrate their attacks in the middle of the pitch, rather than on the wings. 13 minutes into the game, Thåström seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a poor level of organisation. Kotka fans held their breath as J. Geenens scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 1 - 0! A speedy charge from the left side of the field increased the lead of Kotka to 2 - 0 as M. Orrù finished it off competently, firing in from an acute angle. 38 minutes into the match, the visitors' central line of defence had to look on as J. Marr broke through, making the score 3 - 0 for Kotka. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. P. Fernández Mesa squirmed through their central defence after 39 minutes, increasing the lead to 4 - 0. Confident in their lead, Kotka's players relaxed and focused more on defending the lead than increasing it. With 41 minutes played, J. Marr of Kotka fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. A. Lifblad was called on to replace Kotka's J. Geenens after 42 minutes following a nasty collision. The referee showed Kotka's A. Brussmann the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. 4 - 0 was the halftime score. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Kotka, with 56 percent of the ball.

Despite his frustration resulting in the smashing of a few teacups, the coach of Thåström was able to get his message across, and raised Thåström's organisation to passable. A bit later, Thåström's N. Sipos easily reduced the lead to 4 - 1 after a misunderstanding in the home side's central defence. Kotka put in a good effort on the right, but M. Orrù saw his volley fly wide of the mark 83 minutes into the game. Kotka's P. Cagnoni got himself booked for a foul. L. Kullener's knee will be throbbing for days, but thankfully for Thåström, he bravely continued in the match. 86 minutes into the game, Thåström seemed a little tentative in their play as their organization fell to inadequate. H. Jespersson had a couple of good opportunities to reply, but the home team's keeper E. Torres was simply unbeatable. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave A. Troshanov from Kotka a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 88 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! 89 minutes in, Thåström appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only weak. Kotka claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 52 percent.

The most dominating Kotka player was without a doubt M. Orrù. On the other hand, E. Torres's play was disheartening. Thåström's best player was H. Lewér. J. Jurgiel on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 4 - 1.