The spherical of 16 match of the SOCCA Champions League between Eintracht Spandau and Magufana from Greece was anticipated to be an easy affair – however it become a soccer thriller proper as much as the final second.
📸 Julian Meusel
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Disjointed Sport with Tough Situations
From the very starting, it was clear that this is able to not be a stroll within the park for Spandau. The outdated synthetic turf in Crete additionally brought about issues for each groups – gamers saved slipping on the considerable granules, and the stream of the sport was always disrupted.
Nonetheless, Spandau bought off to the higher begin: Within the fifteenth minute, it was Mazreku who cheekily nutmegged his opponent to make it 1-0. Simply earlier than halftime, he even bagged a brace, slotting in on the far submit to make it 2-0.
Spandau went into the break with a comfortable-looking, however not at all safe, lead.
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A Dream Begin – and Then the Shock
Simply 18 seconds after the restart, Telli elevated the result in 3-0 after a powerful ball roll and a scientific end.
Every part pointed to Spandau selecting up proper the place they left off within the group stage – with dominant, high-scoring performances.
However Magufana didn’t hand over. Pushed on by a loud Greek fan base, the match grew to become heated – with loads of trash speak, feelings, and a few tense conditions.
The Greeks’ Comeback
After successful the ball within the twenty fourth minute, Magufana launched a lightning-fast counterattack. Fortuna broke by on the left and slotted the ball exactly into the far nook – now simply 3-1.
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Within the thirty sixth minute got here the following setback for Spandau: Nemitanu dribbled previous three defenders and fantastically curled the ball into the nook with the surface of his foot – 3-2.
Then, only one minute earlier than the ultimate whistle, the equalizer truly got here: As soon as once more, it was Fortuna who scored his second aim to make it 3-3 – and instantly, all the pieces was huge open once more.
Because the SOCCA Champions League goes straight to a penalty shootout within the occasion of a draw, it was clear: Now, nerves alone would resolve.
Within the penalty shootout, the taker runs from the midway line in the direction of the goalkeeper and tries to beat him with a shot or a dribble.
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Pure Drama
Telli stepped up first for Spandau, having already rounded the keeper, however then tried to complete too casually, permitting the goalkeeper to get better. However Magufana additionally missed their first try.
Then Weggen stepped up and confidently made it 1-0, however the Greeks instantly responded – 1-1.
Each groups missed their third makes an attempt, earlier than Haitz took accountability: he coolly slotted the ball into the underside proper nook – 2-1 Spandau.
Magufana took their final penalty, dribbled from the midway line, took the shot – and hit solely the submit!
Big celebrations for Spandau: In an actual thriller, they advance to the quarterfinals.
📸 Julian Meusel
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A Herculean Effort on the Proper Time
An actual take a look at – and maybe precisely what Spandau wanted at this stage of the match. After their assured performances within the group stage, this spherical of 16 thriller was an vital wake-up name and a sport that introduced the group even nearer collectively.
📸 Julian Meusel
There’s not a lot time to catch their breath: The quarterfinals kick off tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. The opponent shall be decided later this night.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.