This was a huge match- judgment day for Greece, whose terrific performance thus far would become irrelevant if they failed to overcome the outrageous talent of Switzerland. For the Swiss, a loss would end their dream of winning three consecutive titles. Tipsters could not separate the two teams, Greece in slightly better form but Switzerland with an historical edge in the Konami Cup. A tense opening 15 minutes saw few chances, with tension at an all time high in the embattled Greek camp, having seen their side fail so often in the Cup.
Tension turned to jubilation in the 19th minute, when Arsenal split the Swiss defence with a through-ball, and Martin Denyer finished the move with a cool finish. This was to be the only goal of the first half, and as the minutes ticked by in the second it seemed a replay of the round robin was on the cards. After all, when the 80-minute mark was passed, Greece had kept Switzerland scoreless for 170 minutes in their two games. However, Switzerland was starting to threaten, and chinks in Greece’s defence started to appear. Right on cue, in the 83rd minute it was time for Assmaster, Bob providing the quality cross and Assmaster doing what he does best with an unstoppably powerful header. It seemed Greece had choked again, as Switzerland looked likely to go into extra-time with the wind in their sails. Greece lifted themselves for one last attack, but after 90 minutes the scores were tied at 1-1 and golden-goal extra-time begun. 8 minutes into the first period of extra-time Greece won a free-kick 25 yards from goal and the stage was set for free-kick specialist The Rock to seal a glorious victory. However, Greece took a surprise option with Arsenal laying the ball off to Fabio Fatasskiss, and the crowd held their collective breaths as he struck the ball with his flashing left foot. The rasping low drive thundered just inside the far post, Tubby was beaten, and Greece had won. The Swiss were dejected but it was a deserved victory for Greece. They now faced quite possibly the biggest day in their football history- a Konami Cup final against either France, or the old enemy Jamaica.
Greece 2 Switzerland 1 |
