League Play-Off

Saagerberg Sportfeld
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Tom Burgstaller got the match started through his kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Middlesbrough's zone, Björn Eiterer stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Niclas Mierzwa came out of the goal and Björn Eiterer tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Niclas Schlagbauer in the 10th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Niclas Mierzwa prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Andre Jennen had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Niclas Schlagbauer struck a weak shot in the 18th minute. Niclas Mierzwa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Cruz Grande. After having played for 24 minutes, Tom Burgstaller managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Middlesbrough's supporters crossed their fingers, but Tom Burgstaller was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 27th minute Niclas Schlagbauer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Niclas Mierzwa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 37 minutes of play, Cruz Grande's Björn Eiterer made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Niclas Mierzwa was left in no man's land by his defense there! Josef Arendt kicked well hit freekick during the 39th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Middlesbrough's Tom Burgstaller got a free kick in the 41st minute. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Niclas Schlagbauer to make the kick off. When Johannes Kofler fell near the penalty area in the 51st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Middlesbrough's protests and gave Johannes Kofler a yellow card for diving instead. After 52 played minutes, Cruz Grande's Jannick Nussli shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Niclas Mierzwa came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Cruz Grande reached it. Niclas Schlagbauer recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Niclas Mierzwa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Björn Eiterer, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Kevin Probst during the 59th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Kevin Probst kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. Dennis Uhde sent away a hard shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 67 minutes, Niclas Schlagbauer managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Cruz Grande's supporters crossed their fingers, but Niclas Schlagbauer was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Niclas Schlagbauer in the 68th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Niclas Mierzwa saved Middlesbrough from getting behind. In the 69th minute Niclas Schlagbauer shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Niclas Mierzwa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Niclas Mierzwa came out of the goal in the 71st minute to try and stop a shot by Cruz Grande's Björn Eiterer. But to his dismay, Björn Eiterer quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-1. In the 75th minute, Björn Eiterer made a precise shot to the right of Niclas Mierzwa. Middlesbrough's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 4-1. During the 77th minute of the match Josef Arendt completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Josef Arendt a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. Josef Arendt hit a great freekick 78 minutes into the match. In the 81st minute, Torsten Gerber hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tom Burgstaller sent away a hard shot on goal in the 84th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Björn Eiterer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 90th minute. Niclas Mierzwa tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Middlesbrough's zone, Michael Köppl stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Niclas Mierzwa came out of the goal and Michael Köppl tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Cruz Grande's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.