GAS Line-up:

Fully aware of this problem, we wanted to prove otherwise and win this one after beating the Swiss two weeks ago.

Looking back at our first encounter with the Hotspurs last August, we expected another tough battle with a compact British team. It was not going to be a walk in the park, but we were ready and willing to get it on.

We had to shift around our defense and midfield since all four of our regular defenders were not available for this game.

No changes in goal though where Zafer had the mandate to keep a clean sheet. Defense was formed by Heiko Jeremies and come backer Matthias Pfluegler with Marcus Beckenbauer as last man. Thomas Effenberg and Kerim van der Vart worked the center midfield while Sascha Ballack and Cyrill Barnetta covered the wings. Volker Overath, Chris Bierhoff and Michael Odonkor were our guys upfront.

The game started as usual. Not even five minutes were played and GAS were down by one. Confusion in the GAS defense was smartly utilized by Hotspurs' veteran striker who made it 1-0 Hotspurs. So here we were again trailing way too early in the game. The above mentioned lack of consistency certainly doesn't apply to this situation...

GAS tried to shake it off, but had problems to get used to the small and narrow pitch. So it took a while for us to get into the game - after about 15 minutes we managed to do so and started to create chances. Meanwhile we had to substitute Kerim who twisted his ankle and was replaced by Mike Yeboah.

After those first 15 minutes which were dominated by the Hotspurs GAS took control of the game and should have tied the game on chances from Michael and Volker. But it took another 15 minutes until Volker did so. Sascha recovered the ball on the left wing and delivered a nice cross into the box where Volker just had to tap the ball in.

The recipe for success in this game became clearer as the game continued. The Hotspurs fullbacks were very solid on long balls, so we had to use a quick passing game in midfield preferably along the wings to create danger. This worked rather well for some twenty minutes, but then for some strange reason we gave it away and allowed the Hotspurs to come back again: Seemingly out of nowhere - with one minute left to play in the first half - Hotspurs scored the 2-1. Zafer was unable to control a sharp cross from the right wing and their striker had no problems converting the deflection for the lead.

So it was 2-1 Hotspurs at halftime.

No changes were made during halftime and we were confident to turn this thing around.

The story of the second half can be told in a few words:

GAS kept on pushing for the equalizer but wasted half a dozen of clear chances. The game was dominated by the Germans, but Hotspurs remained dangerous with their two strikers (great mix of experience and serenity - esprit and quickness). Frustration grew among the Germans because it seemed as if the Spurs goal was locked and sealed! But we never gave up and seemed to be awarded for our patience.

Time was running out two minutes before the final whistle when the Germans got another corner. Sascha delivered it into the box and Volker reached for it - and then the football gods showed some compassion: Volker's header actually went in for the late yet hugely deserved equalizer. 2-2 it was and two minutes to go. The Germans decided that this was not good enough and wanted to get it all. Driven by their coach they threw everything in front and wanted to score the game-winning third goal. Consequently, GAS set up another run (with everyone heading forward) when suddenly the ball was fumbled on the center line and those very football gods showed their cruel face: A nice Spurs fastbreak followed resulting in that very game-winning third goal... but on the wrong end of the field!

Well, maybe we should have been happy with the late equalizer and settled for shared points. But hell, no! We should have won this game and so it was right to go for it even with only two minutes to go!

Anyways, thanks to the Spurs for a fair game and a lesson in utilizing defensive mistakes!

Man of the Match honors go to Volker who scored twice, had a number of other good opportunities and was the starting point of most of our attacks.

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