Brigante 3 - 4 Optima (392621246)

Clear skies welcomed the 613 spectators who had made their way to Carlito Arena. Thomas Comer was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Loke Gyring and Hannfried Ranseier. Brigante decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Emery - Berge, Heitz, Pazushka - Irzyk, Cáceres, Lione, Kruszewski, Fioletti - Francescoli, Speciale.

Optima started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Tricot - Olichwier, Hack, Xercavins - Giani, Pobłocki, Semiramis, Sánchez, Manolache - Meléndez, Lepuschitz.

Brigante were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. Optima's K. Pobłocki managed to lose the defenders as he advanced down the right wing and scored, putting the visitors ahead after 12 minutes. 0 - 1. A. Cáceres sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from P. Fioletti after 22 minutes of play, making the score 1 - 1. The visiting N. Lepuschitz was booed thoroughly by the home crowd 23 minutes into the game, after he broke through the middle and scored, resulting in the visitors taking the lead. 1 - 2 was the score. After 25 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for N. Lepuschitz who increased Optima's lead to 1 - 3. After 32 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Optima found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to passable. The home crowd cheered when, after 34 minutes, A. Olichwier's charge up the middle resulted in the keeper making one of his best saves of the day. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, V. Francescoli got himself booked. The manager of Brigante was not happy. T. Berge challenged the visitors' central defence eagerly, producing a good chance 36 minutes into the game as he went for a through ball. But, as so many times before, the guests' defensive efforts got the best of it. Halftime score was 1 - 3. Optima enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 51 percent of possession.

The Optima players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a solid organisation when the game started again. After 59 minutes, a mistake by the home side's left defence allowed N. Lepuschitz to get through. He outclassed the home side's keeper, adding another goal for the visitors. 1 - 4. That made three goals for N. Lepuschitz and he was marked down for the hat trick. Although the whole team were struggling to impress, Brigante's A. Cáceres was singled out as being the problem as he was called off the pitch after 62 minutes. W. Cieloch was given a chance to change things around. Brigante's V. Francescoli got the home crowd going when he finished off a left wing charge, reducing the away team's lead to 2 - 4. B. Irzyk of Brigante received a yellow card after 68 minutes for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Brigante needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 69 minutes V. Francescoli made way for L. Fodri. At 74 minutes into the game, Brigante's B. Lione deftly knocked the ball home after an impressive run down the left, reducing the visitors' lead to 3 - 4. The Optima players could smell victory in the air. G. Manolache wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for A. Ginekas after 74 minutes. The coach of Optima was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 75 minutes, K. Sidenfeldt came on for A. Olichwier. With 80 minutes played, the Brigante coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. M. Buha came on, P. Fioletti had to leave the fray. B. Irzyk rose like a salmon, and was very close to scoring with a header after a corner, but sent the ball just over the bar. Optima's A. Ginekas missed a penalty shot 86 minutes into the contest. The shot produced was way too weak, allowing the keeper to collect it at his own leisure. Optima had most of the ball, with 55 percent of possession.

Brigante's top performer was clearly G. Speciale. L. Fodri on the other hand, had a terrible day. C. Sánchez performed admirably for Optima. J. Tricot turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 4.