Uranio 1 - 0 Rheinhessen (393308892)

A scorching day at Uranio 238, where 1484 spectators were in place for today's match. Giuseppe Russo was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Vincenzo Romano and Martin Johansson. Uranio had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Romaggioli - Astrup, Yankulov, Marrani - Nikulahti, Scialla, Mikhailyuk, Brusadelli, Omini - Torpedo, Paoletti.

Rheinhessen tactics involved an interesting 5-3-2 combination. The following players took the field: Heespen - Decaesstecker, Gheorghe, van Eijk, Randazzo, Correia - Bayer, Massing, Mückner - Borgholz, Ormeño.

B. Marrani enjoyed the sunshine and demonstrated his stunning technique over and over again. K. Borgholz had a good try after 9 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. After 12 minutes, there was a bit of a mixup on the field as Rheinhessen found themselves out of position and their organisation level dropped to weak. At 14 minutes played, P. Astrup came in from the right with the intention of giving Uranio the lead, but his rocket of a shot rattled the crossbar. 18 minutes into the game, Rheinhessen seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a poor level of organisation. Uranio had a good opportunity to take the lead as M. Paoletti came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into the arms of L. Heespen. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave Y. Ormeño from Rheinhessen a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 28 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! Uranio could have put themselves ahead after 34 minutes but V. Yankulov missed a volley shot on a ball coming in from the right. After 41 minutes Uranio's V. Yankulov limped slightly after a late challenge, but he was able to continue. The teams went for the halftime break at 0 - 0. Uranio had most of the ball, with 76 percent of possession.

The Rheinhessen players spent the break getting a rerun of the team's tactical organisation and regained a passable organisation when the game started again. Uranio fans held their breath as I. Scialla scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 1 - 0! Some things can only be learned through experience, and M. van Eijk should take his lesson to heart after nearly gifting Uranio a goal with 76 minutes of the match played. With 87 minutes played, F. Torpedo of Uranio fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. There was concern in the stands when, at the 88 minute mark, Rheinhessen's B. Mückner hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. After 88 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by M. Paoletti might have resulted in another goal for Uranio. However, L. Heespen made a spectacular save. 89 minutes in, Rheinhessen appeared unsure on how to play and their organisation was only passable. With 89 minutes played, F. Torpedo could have brought this one home for Uranio as he charged up on the left, but his hooked ball went just a bit too high. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, M. Paoletti got himself booked. The manager of Uranio was not happy. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Uranio, with 70 percent of the ball.

The most dominating Uranio player was without a doubt O. Mikhailyuk. C. Romaggioli was a disappointment, however. Rheinhessen's best player was Y. Ormeño. L. Heespen on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 1 - 0.