NAGUTLEBI 1 - 2 Kuba (392662969)

40848 punters turned up at VELTIS Arena, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Uffe Pinstrup was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Clement Fangemann and Aris Toulikas. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for NAGUTLEBI. Starters: Wortelboer - Hesselbjerg, Ovadia, Tabatadze - Bertola, Adelbratt, Pelitli, Kline - Al-Abdul, Stavrev, Bin-Byait.

Kuba tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. Lineup: La Motte - Ortombina, Castellani, Mandato, Barbagli, Murru - Santaera, Carosio, Almansa, Porta - Maione.

NAGUTLEBI focused on getting players in position for long range shots. M. Mandato sailed high above the opponents as he headed in a corner kick from D. Santaera after 8 minutes of play, making the score 0 - 1. Kuba mounted an inspired counterattack down the right wing after 34 minutes, but A. Maione was unable to convert from short range. Halftime score was 0 - 1. NAGUTLEBI had most of the ball, with 54 percent of possession.

With a shot curled in from just outside the middle of the penalty area after 67 minutes played, E. Tabatadze of NAGUTLEBI made the score 1 - 1. NAGUTLEBI's A. Kline had a good first touch on the flank, but was crowded and, after a change of plan, sent the ball to F. Al-Abdul who somehow managed to curl the ball wide. With the scoreboard clock showing 88 minutes, the inexperienced NAGUTLEBI team fell into disarray. NAGUTLEBI enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 55 percent of possession.

After the regular 90 minutes, the agony of extra time followed. The NAGUTLEBI players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a excellent organisation when the game started again. Some quick footwork on the left side of the field 96 minutes into the match left Kuba's A. Maione completely free to score. 1 - 2 for the visitors. Extra time over, Kuba were the victors! The most dominating NAGUTLEBI player was without a doubt I. Ovadia. On the other hand, K. Bin-Byait's play was disheartening. Kuba's top performer was clearly C. La Motte. M. Murru turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 2.