oktopod 4 - 3 Banchen (393243377)

2699 spectators arrived at kraljevska arena, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Slobodan Vujović was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Basilio Di Benedetto and Giuliano Ferrario. oktopod tactics involved an interesting 3-4-3 combination. Starters: Moroşan - Shaposhnik, Anguiano, Örs - Johansson, van Wijhe, Wolfson, Pérez - Retterath, Schäche, Kaplan.

A 4-5-1 alignment was the formation of choice for Banchen. Lineup: Fernandes - Luovi, Frison, Pużyński, Pakarinen - Melin, Maglio, Novello, Kiesinger, Virtanen - Gürth.

oktopod were mostly trying to use their skill at attacking on the flanks. Some things can only be learned through experience, and K. Pakarinen should take his lesson to heart after nearly gifting oktopod a goal with 5 minutes of the match played. oktopod took the lead 9 minutes in, as E. Retterath broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Banchen levelled the score after 25 minutes to make it 1 - 1, as R. Gürth struck home after a fine midfield combination through the centre, which left him completely unmarked. The opposing supporters gave the referee an earful when he only gave A. Shaposhnik from oktopod a yellow card after a mistimed challenge from behind 29 minutes into the game. That was far too lenient! The visitors could have taken the lead from a free kick after 32 minutes, if it wasn't for the jaw-dropping save by M. Moroşan. After 37 minutes of play, R. Johansson gave the home team a 2 - 1 lead after an attack coming in from the right. An equalising goal seemed certain after 40 minutes when K. Virtanen attacked down the left wing, but M. Moroşan just managed to make a save to keep the ball out of the net. Having just succeeded in blocking a dangerous counter attack, the defending team was outwitted by the follow-up oktopod free kick. The routine was expertly executed as the ball was shifted quickly to one side of the box, then back to the other. E. Retterath appeared on cue near the post, and steered it past the goalie. 3 - 1, after 41 minutes. The teams went for the halftime break at 3 - 1. Possession in this half belonged to Banchen, who controlled the ball 56 percent of the time.

The unexpected cross pass from Banchen's W. Kiesinger after 83 minutes opened up the defence and was received by R. Gürth who finished off for 3 - 2. After 84 minutes, E. Retterath put oktopod ahead 4 - 2 when he rose to head in a cross from the right wing. This third goal completed a hattrick for E. Retterath. The referee showed oktopod's R. Johansson the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. 87 minutes into the game, Banchen seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion and they fell to a inadequate level of organisation. An awe-inspiring free kick by E. Maglio of Banchen resulted in a goal 88 minutes into the game! 4 - 3 was the new score. Banchen's E. Maglio's long shot really ought to have found the net 89 minutes into the match, but it fell just wide of the target. Banchen were close to putting the equaliser away after 89 minutes as the opposing defence lost control of the ball to R. Gürth in a scuffle towards the left of the goal, but in the end the ball was cleared over the dead ball line. After 89 minutes Banchen's W. Kiesinger had to be carried off on a stretcher in agony. A. Suokas came in to replace him. A. Frison was the new captain of Banchen - handed the armband by the departing player. Banchen claimed to have seen most of the ball, and the statistics agreed with them - possession being 57 percent.

Most important oktopod player was E. Retterath. However, M. Moroşan made a disastrous appearance. Banchen's best player was A. Frison. L. Melin was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 3.