Line Up:

Bergmann        Hermann

Giebitz             Volker

Heussler          Sascha

Klemm            Michael

Jauch               Ralf

Lange              Tim

Mecklenburg   Denis

Berner             Thomas

Von Pein         Philipp

Koehlmann      Andre

Pohland           Heiko

Subs:

Heerlein           Marcus

Binder             Rino

Rohmann         Naem

Geissler           David

The venue for the game changed on short notice to ITE Simei, but both teams managed the logistical challenge well and so the kick off was delayed only by a few minutes. Die Mannschaft looked well prepared and set up for the 3^rd game against Lions this season. The first 2 encounter were lost badly with 6-3 by the German All Stars and so Coach Wolfgang Petri asked for a step change this time around.

The German Tanks started with Tim Wiese in goal. Die Vierkette was played by Philatio Piporino, Denis Eisenherz, Hermann Blase-Am-Fuss and Sascha Heimkehrer. In midfield we had Ralf Kurbjuweit, Thommy Muetze-Glatze, Erzgebirgs-Makalele Heiko and Andre Schweinsteiger. Up front it was the dream Duo Volle Voeller and Klemmi.

The Germans started well into the game with good passing and good control in midfield. 3 – 4 good chances were created, but neither Volle nor Klemmi managed to convert. Around mid of the first half the Lions captain got red carded for a foul in midfield. To be honest I had not seen the tackle myself, but the players said it was a nasty tackle without the ball being nearby. The Lions bench was furious about the decision and looked like considering calling the players off the field. Fortunately the game continued and both teams started to focus on playing football again. The Germans were clearly in control of the game and produced several good chances, but again none of them was converted. With a fast counter attack Lions got a penalty and had a chance to punish the Germans for missing out their chances. Fortunately for the Germans the penalty hit only the post. A few minutes later Volle was brought down in the box and Klemmi made no mistake to convert the penalty. So it was 1-0 for German All Stars, who were in firm control of the game until the break. The second half saw a different direction, as Lions started to push forward putting a lot of pressure on the German defense. The German midfield engines started to get a bit tired and so only a few counter attacks were run. Still some good opportunities were created and after missing a first header, Volle Voeller managed to somehow squeeze in the second one which was helped substantially by the goalie. Being 2-0 up against 10 men the Germans thought that was it, but credit to the Lions who showed good spirit and got back into the game. Sascha Briegel mixed up striking skills with defending skills trying some magic tricks at the own German box and the Lions striker made no mistake. So it was 2-1, 15 minutes to go and the game pretty much open again. Lions continued to put pressure, but somehow the German defense stood tall and survived some nail-biting moments including 3 minutes of extra time. In the end it was all over and the Germans made it to the Plate Cup Final. Credit to Lions who fought until the last minute with 10 men and never gave up. MOM of the German team goes to Andre who had a couple of excellent runs down the left side especially during the first half.

Joerg