Cashmoney 1 - 4 Knutschers (392844238)

Fairly good weather for football had drawn a crowd of 30981 to Cashmoney Brothers Arena. Márió Hanczár was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Mihai Bădescu and Miguel Vieyra. Cashmoney decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Lineup: Katsantonis - Wybrandt, Sainson, Zimmerlin - Rácz, Kędziorny, Ankjær, Sadeniemi, Biasi - Hellstén, Carafa.

Knutschers had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players took the field: Vieira - Sinitsin, Savukoski, Zipkes - Kaysel, Di Capua, Schwary, Valente, Capoferri - Shopski, Mustafa.

The strategy for Knutschers was to use their ability to press. Cashmoney were very close to putting themselves one up after 4 minutes as V. Wybrandt got through on the left, but failing in concentration, he shot the ball wide. After a fine move down the middle C. Kędziorny nearly gave the home side a goal after 10 minutes. However the finishing shot went just wide. The pressing tactics used by Knutschers were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. S. Oddo was called on to replace Cashmoney's F. Biasi after 32 minutes following a nasty collision. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 0. Possession in this half belonged to Cashmoney, who controlled the ball 72 percent of the time.

Cashmoney had to make a substitution after 62 minutes. G. Zimmerlin limped off the field and was replaced by K. Gartner. Cashmoney's P. Sainson left the field after 69 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was G. Pascolo. E. Ankjær was handed the Cashmoney captain's armband. Knutschers's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. Many thought C. Kędziorny ought to have been awarded a penalty 83 minutes into the game, as he went down trying to dribble around A. Vieira after a determined run through the middle. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, K. Gartner got himself booked. The manager of Cashmoney was not happy. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Cashmoney, with 78 percent of the ball.

As neither team was able to break the deadlock before the end of regular play, the teams took to the field again for extra time. Knutschers pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. Cashmoney's G. Pascolo tried to break through in the middle repeatedly, but couldn't get past the visitors' defenders. Cashmoney's I. Rácz was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 119 minutes. Still tied after extra time, the crowd was buzzing as the teams prepared for a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner.

Clearly nervous from the start, Cashmoney's K. Hellstén took a long run up, but could only blast the ball over the bar. The score remains 0 - 0. Knutschers's A. Vieira made no mistake. Y. Katsantonis didn't have a chance. 0 - 1. Cashmoney's Y. Katsantonis didn't look like he was confident as he stepped up, and produced a badly struck penalty - right into the arms of A. Vieira. The score remained 0 - 1. Knutschers's M. Di Capua showed he has nerves of steel when it comes to penalties, easily changing the score to 0 - 2. Cashmoney's O. Carafa was relaxed as he smoothly put the ball in the net. 1 - 2! Knutschers's T. Sinitsin coolly put the ball past Y. Katsantonis. 1 - 3. Cashmoney's V. Wybrandt penalty shot was very well placed but A. Vieira went the right way, blocking it spectacularly. The score was still 1 - 3. Oooh - how unlucky! Knutschers's J. Valente attempt hit the underside of the bar, but rebounded down into the grateful arms of Y. Katsantonis. The score stays 1 - 3. A confident E. Ankjær of Cashmoney put the ball right where he wanted, but A. Vieira was right there for the save. No goal. Knutschers's M. Mustafa kept his cool as he faced down Y. Katsantonis. His composure paid off as he scored easily for 1 - 4. Y. Katsantonis performed admirably for Cashmoney. G. Pascolo on the other hand, had a terrible day. Knutschers's best player was M. Mustafa. M. Di Capua was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 4.