League

Nalchik Stadium
Spectators: 8110 (Terracing: 6000, Seating: 1942, VIP seats: 168) Saratov HC's Andrey Novikov 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. In the 5th minute of the match Gleb Anikeichik sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Iosif Kosterkin skillfully saved the ball. Iosif Kosterkin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Andrey Novikov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. A long shot from Valentin Antonov in the 13th minute of play was well struck, but Leonid Irdebenev made a really good save at the right post. Leonid Irdebenev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vitaliy Butyrskiy in the 15th minute of the match. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Andrey Novikov in the 20th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Iosif Kosterkin prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Roman Arshavin during the 23rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of FC Nalchik booed when Saratov HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 23 match minutes in a wonderful position. Roman Arshavin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Sergey Yakushev could shoot a difficult shot in the 25th minute, which Leonid Irdebenev however easily saved by the left post. Leonid Irdebenev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Vitaliy Butyrskiy in the 30th minute of the match. Vitaliy Butyrskiy recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 32nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 37 minutes into the game, Saratov HC's Dmitriy Urazov nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Iosif Kosterkin made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-2. An unexpectedly hard shot by Vitaliy Butyrskiy in the 40th minute of play forced Saratov HC's goalkeeper Leonid Irdebenev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After the first half Saratov HC were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Vitaliy Butyrskiy to make the kick off. The audience was convinced that Sergey Yakushev's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Leonid Irdebenev was relentless in the 52nd minute of the game. Saratov HC's Leonid Irdebenev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vitaliy Butyrskiy in the 54th minute of play. In the 56th minute of the match, Dmitriy Urazov got a very nice opportunity to score, but Iosif Kosterkin was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Vitaliy Butyrskiy scored 1-2 in the 66th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Leonid Irdebenev, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Vitaliy Butyrskiy in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Leonid Irdebenev saved Saratov HC from getting behind. In the 79th minute Sergey Yakushev shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Leonid Irdebenev saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 81 minutes into the match, Saratov HC's goal looked a bit too open when Vitaliy Butyrskiy came free, but Leonid Irdebenev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Saratov HC's zone, Sergey Yakushev stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Leonid Irdebenev came out of the goal and Sergey Yakushev tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Dmitriy Urazov in the 91stth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Iosif Kosterkin, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save.