2018 Copa Apollonia
Re: 2018 Copa Apollonia
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
FINALThe Florians kicked off on the front foot and were unlucky not to lead when Cristiano Ramirez hit the bar after a well worked move. Stephan Bayer headed on target for Lamantia but his effort was saved, before Jörg Schwarz's dinked cross almost caught Patrick Marshall out, with the goalkeeper needing a smart punch to stop Lamantia from taking the lead. The Florians did manage to find the net first though, with a lovely flowing attacking move at the beginning of the second period which was finished off by Ramirez. The Florians then seemingly held on for the win, but Lamantia never really threatened in the second period as they held on for a 1-0 win.Spoiler!
Despite riots, a manager resigning and near constant attacks on the team bus, Senya had turned a disasterous start into a finals appearance in a tournament in which they had largely hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. They lined up against surprise package Stormark, who had topped the group of death and seen off Lamantia to ensure their place in the Copa Apollonia final.Spoiler!
However, with a phenomenal pyroshow to kick things off from the Naldas, the better team shone through, and when Alesandrœ Danetskë broke through the Storish defence to slot the ball home under the onrushing goalkeeper, there was only ever going to be one winner. Senya had one of those games where they could have easily hit several more by the break, with Barnaby Hands narrowly placing a free-kick over the bar whilst Jan Maytek hit the crossbar with a header and Minyorletsken hit a 35-yard thunderbolt that was expertly tipped wide by Jean-Marie Le Roux. The second half proved more even as Senya settled, but their defensive shape was strong as they expertly nullified the Storish creative players as they cruised to victory.
The Senyan fans went crazy upon the full time whistle as they celebrated another title, with Barnaby Hands' lifting of the trophy met with a giant roar in Grandbay.