Official Cup

Sami Zübeyr Arena
Spectators: 170 (Terracing: 128, Seating: 39, VIP seats: 3) Anatoly Karpov made the kick off and thus started the match. In the 2nd match minute, Aris Salonicco FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Emilio Taranto to maneuver through the defense. Vladimir Kramnik made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Giampaolo Pazzini in the 4th minute of play. Vladimir Kramnik showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Giampaolo Pazzini in the 5th minute of the match. 11 minutes into the match, FC Maci -MM-'s goal looked a bit too open when Giampaolo Pazzini came free, but Vladimir Kramnik reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 24 played minutes FC Maci -MM- got a freekick which was hit by José Capablanca. In the 25th minute, Giampaolo Pazzini got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. A sloppy throw-in by Emilio Taranto in the 29th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by FC Maci -MM-'s Ovidiu Bobeica. Fulvio Campese showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Anatoly Karpov, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Fulvio Campese stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Anatoly Karpov's shot from short distance in the 33rd minute. Vladimir Kramnik took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Giampaolo Pazzini in the 34th minute of play forced FC Maci -MM-'s goalkeeper Vladimir Kramnik to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Vladimir Kramnik took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Giampaolo Pazzini, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The first half was very even, with the score at 0-0 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Giampaolo Pazzini was the one to do the kick off. Fulvio Campese made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Anatoly Karpov in the 51st minute of play. In the 60th minute, Anatoly Karpov left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The FC Maci -MM- fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. When Emilio Taranto fell near the penalty area in the 64th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Aris Salonicco FC's protests and gave Emilio Taranto a yellow card for diving instead. Giampaolo Pazzini in the 69thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Vladimir Kramnik, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. FC Maci -MM-'s Vladimir Kramnik played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giampaolo Pazzini in the 73rd minute of play. FC Maci -MM-'s Vladimir Kramnik played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Giampaolo Pazzini in the 75th minute of play. 77 minutes into the match, Aris Salonicco FC's goal looked a bit too open when Anatoly Karpov came free, but Fulvio Campese reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Anatoly Karpov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 84th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Anatoly Karpov blasted a shot towards the goal in the 87th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Fulvio Campese having to make a save. In the 87th minute Anatoly Karpov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Fulvio Campese saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Fulvio Campese showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Anatoly Karpov in the 88th minute of the match. After 89 minutes Aris Salonicco FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Sabin Miclauș who took care of the corner kick. The corner led FC Maci -MM-'s Sabin Miclauș to fire away a dangerous shot which Fulvio Campese despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 93rd minute, Vali Mitu managed to get in a good position for a shot. FC Maci -MM-'s supporters rose to their feet, but Vali Mitu was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Fulvio Campese breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. FC Maci -MM- made a substitution. Yazeed Al Abdullah replaced Vali Mitu. The referee blew his whistle, and the match came to a close. The players exchanged shirts and headed down the tunnel. The FC Maci -MM- fans cheered their team off the field, for while Aris Salonicco FC had put up a good fight, they were unable to come out of the game with any points to show for their effort.