Melcice 3 - 0 Nerdebrillene (393846773)

1997 spectators had found their way to Devils Arena, despite the heavy rain. Leonard C. Häggbo was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Nikola Golem and Francisco Bielva. Melcice tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Lineup: Azevedo - Otrubčák, Mihai, Żmiejko - Posluch, Kvietok, Igliozzi, Gocoľák - Zeytuni, Kepša, Farkas.

Nerdebrillene decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. Starters: Holden - Kivi, Helderman, Shirazi - Galizzi, Adelblom, Dalheim, Overå, Coustenoble - Kajavalta, Allergoth.

It was obvious that Melcice were using their pressing skill as their primary tactic. The wings were the focus of most of Nerdebrillene's attacks today. Melcice fans held their breath as M. Farkas scampered down the left side. He successfully avoided all challenges and cracked home the shot for 1 - 0! Things were going to get worse for the visitors. M. Farkas squirmed through their central defence after 12 minutes, increasing the lead to 2 - 0. By now, the players in Melcice felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. M. Farkas should probably have put his team up another goal after 22 minutes, but some great goalkeeping by J. Holden kept the visitors in the game. The pressing tactics used by Melcice were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. J. Kvietok had a fantastic opportunity to put Melcice up another goal 24 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. 2 - 0 was the halftime score. Melcice enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 77 percent of possession.

Content with how the game was proceeding, the Melcice coach let D. Machovec replace E. Kepša after 46 minutes. The coach of Melcice was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 46 minutes, K. Tvrdovský came on for D. Otrubčák. L. Azevedo wanted to play on, but the Melcice coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 46 minutes into the game by W. Fransen. C. Posluch increased the lead for Melcice to 3 - 0, getting a head onto a hooked ball from the right. The ball looked to have taken a deflection on the way in, but he's claiming it! Melcice pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. 63 minutes in, Nerdebrillene's E. Overå received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. Thighs bulging, L. Coustenoble charged past the weaker players, seemingly oblivious to the rain. Given a free kick in a difficult position after 68 minutes, Melcice tried a variation that they had practised in training. The kick was sent into the area just in front of the keeper. However, the defence were on their toes and allowed no space for a finish. Nerdebrillene's R. Kajavalta got himself booked for a foul. K. Tvrdovský received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly 72 minutes into the match, probably out of lack of experience, and almost let an opponent score. At this time in the match, Melcice were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. Possession in this half belonged to Melcice, who controlled the ball 76 percent of the time.

Most important Melcice player was L. Zeytuni. C. Posluch was a disappointment, however. Nerdebrillene's top performer was clearly E. Overå. However, Ø. Dalheim made a disastrous appearance. The match ends 3 - 0.