Kickers 4 - 3 Hennes (368740618)

58741 punters turned up at Kolosseum des Schreckens, and despite threatening clouds on the horizon, no rain came. Franz Rechberger was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Laurits Lønholdt and Filip Côté. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Kickers. Lineup: Ermisch - Holland, Later, Santisteban - Mothe, Dovensee, Velss, Ozeri - Predieri, Heerlen, Kraul.

Hennes had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. The following players took the field: Grohnert - Berneuchen, Lubega Mbidde, Weevers - Sajedi, Guettel, Rivière, Loss, Gaona - Curtis, Gaias.

After 8 minutes of play, P. Heerlen gave the home team a 1 - 0 lead after an attack coming in from the right. P. Heerlen had a fantastic opportunity to put Kickers up another goal 15 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. B. Loss of Hennes seemed to be floating in the air as he elegantly headed in to make the score 1 - 1 after a corner kick that was nicely executed by L. Gaias. After 33 minutes, D. Predieri came in from the right, feinted, then sped past the off-balance defender to make the score 2 - 1, giving Kickers the lead. A. Sajedi finished off a quick charge from the left of the field by chipping the ball just past the home side's keeper, making the score 2 - 2 38 minutes into the match. The home side put themselves ahead 3 - 2 after 41 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from I. Later, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. L. Gaias could have made it all square after 42 minutes, if only his free kick had been a few inches to the other side of the post. Halftime score was 3 - 2. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Kickers, with 57 percent of the ball.

A magnificent combination in the middle resulted in Kickers's J. Kraul increasing the lead to 4 - 2. By now, the players in Kickers felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. Hennes certainly deserved a goal after some stunning play down the left, but H. Guettel just wasn't able to finish. 59 minutes in, an amazing pass from the left side resulted in a goal for the visitors, as T. Rivière anticipated the through ball and scored, reducing the deficit to 4 - 3. There was concern in the stands when, at the 64 minute mark, Hennes's T. Rivière hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. The bench was restless, and with 65 minutes passed Hennes's coach gave E. Kiekebarg the opportunity the player had been hoping for. A. Sajedi reluctantly left the field. R. Lubega Mbidde was handed the Hennes captain's armband. D. Predieri's curling free kick almost found the goal for Kickers, but the visitors' keeper somehow managed to get ahold of it. With 69 minutes played, Kickers's D. Predieri almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net. Hennes needed a fresh pair of legs on the field, and after 75 minutes J. Grohnert made way for C. Alves. Kickers enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 59 percent of possession.

The most dominating Kickers player was without a doubt J. Kraul. R. Holland turned in a dismal performance, however. Hennes's best player was R. Lubega Mbidde. F. Berneuchen on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 4 - 3.