Basmati 2 - 1 Marillion (368755981)

A brilliantly sunny day had enticed a crowd of 39791 to Basmati Crew Arena. Alessandro Pellegrini was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jörg Werner and Vladica Zdravkovic. A 3-5-2 alignment was the formation of choice for Basmati. The following players took the field: Thomann - William, Bruchweg, Álvarez Sánchez - Schötz, Frankenstein, Pimentel, Montefusco, Heimstätten - Adamíra, Gerathewohl.

Marillion started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. They fielded: Silbach - Repp, Hötschl, Picchianti - Sherlock, Loidl, Taskin, Thelen, Hnátek - Otis, Okanaya.

They were singing the praises of O. Adamíra 5 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 1 - 0 to Basmati. Cheers filled the stadium as G. Frankenstein broke through the visitors' central defence to put away the ball to increase the lead to 2 - 0 to Basmati. By now, the players in Basmati felt that victory was guaranteed and began to play it safe, focusing on defence and not risking too much going forward. A. Kihlmar was called on to replace Marillion's I. Sherlock after 28 minutes following a nasty collision. Given a free kick close to the byline, Marillion tried a move that loyal fans may recognise from training. A pass to the side pulled the defence out of position which let T. Okanaya slip through on goal. He didn't have to break his stride, and slipped the ball past the keeper to make it 2 - 1, 29 minutes into the game. The visitors' equaliser seemed sure to come after 30 minutes, following a one on one situation around the left hand side of the goal area, but E. Thomann got the best of it, blocking the shot from T. Okanaya. It was 2 - 1 at the break. Basmati enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 54 percent of possession.

An equalising goal seemed certain after 57 minutes when G. Picchianti attacked down the left wing, but E. Thomann just managed to make a save to keep the ball out of the net. The sun seemed to put F. Hnátek in a great mood, and he showed off his technical skills all match long. Basmati had a magnificent opportunity after 69 minutes as V. Montefusco hit the ball hard from the edge of the penalty box. However, the shot went wide. Marillion's C. Otis got himself booked for a foul. P. Hötschl found it hard to catch his breath today in the stifling heat. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Basmati, with 52 percent of the ball.

O. Adamíra performed admirably for Basmati. However, A. Schötz made a disastrous appearance. Most important Marillion player was C. Otis. A. Kihlmar on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 1.