League Play-Off

Metel
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Elsenbach FC's David Wilbert started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Tom Ballack took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sascha Pfeffer, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 5th minute, Peter Walser hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. David Wilbert fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 7th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marlon Petershagen having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Roland-Nicolas Bedrna during the 8th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Roland-Nicolas Bedrna hit a great freekick 8 minutes into the match. When Chris Gross came up free with the goalie in the 13th minute, the Elsenbach FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Chris Gross couldn't finish the play. After some fancy dribbling in the 15th minute, Gerhard Meibeck managed to get in a good position for a shot. Metel's supporters rose to their feet, but Gerhard Meibeck was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tom Ballack breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tom Ballack took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sascha Pfeffer, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. With a couple of smart ball manuevers David Wilbert in the 18th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marlon Petershagen saved Metel from getting behind. If David Wilbert had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 21st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 23rd minute, Alexander Ebmonts hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Steffen Beyer, 24 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. 27 minutes into the game, Sascha Pfeffer recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Tom Ballack. Sascha Pfeffer showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. After 31 minutes, Alexander Deckert mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Metel and the Elsenbach FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Tim-Florian Metzner's long shot made the audience stand up and applaude when it rumbled by Marlon Petershagen on his right side and into the goal. 32 minutes into the game it was 1-1. Ralf Hutmacher hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. Tom Ballack made a fantastic save in the 39th minute, when Gerhard Meibeck sent off a good shot on target. Chris Gross's late challenge caught a Metel's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Chris Gross helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Metel booed when Elsenbach FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Chris Gross didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 43 played minutes Elsenbach FC got a freekick which was hit by Peter Walser. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

Tom Ballack made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sascha Pfeffer in the 53rd minute of play. After 54 played minutes Elsenbach FC got a freekick which was hit by Peter Walser. Chris Gross could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 59th minute of the match, but Marlon Petershagen made a huge save. After 63 minutes of play, Elsenbach FC's Chris Gross made it 1-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Marlon Petershagen was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 65th minute, Christopher Merker hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Elsenbach FC's David Wilbert got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. David Wilbert was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 76th minute. Elsenbach FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Gerhard Meibeck sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 83 minutes into the match, Elsenbach FC's Tim-Florian Metzner broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. After some careless play in the Metel defense, Chris Gross kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Marlon Petershagen. The Metel fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Marlon Petershagen should have stopped the shot. When the final whistle sounded Elsenbach FC left the ground with the victory after a much better performance than Metel.