Rhegium 1 - 2 Laval (381772473)

It had rained all day, but 11981 hardy fans still made it out to Spartan Arena. Erben Kirchner was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Atanas Púrvanov and Jordi Boogert. Rhegium tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. The following players had been chosen: Solís Zuleta - Manuali, Heideman, Smoter - Öztanır, Antonsen, Heier, Aguiar - Goyén, Pavlić, Pérez.

Laval had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. They fielded: Dordoni - Pirrò, Spagnulo, Losurdu - Hemeter, Nizzolo, Dei Rossi, Pogliaghi - Turino, Picchio, Gardini.

Down the middle came P. Pirrò, making a fantastic play that nearly had Laval take the lead after 2 minutes, but J. Solís Zuleta preserved the tie. L. Nizzolo came close to putting the visiting team one up 9 minutes into the match, following a solo raid down the middle, but J. Solís Zuleta managed to tip the ball to a corner. Laval took the lead 25 minutes into the game, making the score 0 - 1 after some elegant movement down the middle. U. Turino was the scorer. B. Pavlić showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 35 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 1 - 1 equaliser away. Halftime score was 1 - 1. Possession in this half belonged to Laval, who controlled the ball 53 percent of the time.

This was a good period for the visitors, with several opportunities to take the lead, particularly when E. Gardini slipped through the defence on the right to come up alone against J. Solís Zuleta, but the home side's keeper showed his lightning reflexes. After 80 minutes, G. Losurdu sent the corner kick right to Q. Pogliaghi who headed it sharply past the keeper. 1 - 2! 81 minutes into the game, Laval worked the left side industriously creating several opportunities to add to their lead, but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. Rhegium mounted an inspired counterattack down the right wing after 82 minutes, but B. Pavlić was unable to convert from short range. Laval claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 58 percent.

Most important Rhegium player was B. Pavlić. However, Å. Heier made a disastrous appearance. M. Picchio performed admirably for Laval. G. Losurdu turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 1 - 2.