In the ‘Liebenau’ stadium, which can accommodate almost 17 thousand spectators, the Lithuanian champions had to concede to the home team’s superiority at the very end of the match, 1:2 (0:1).
Despite the defeat – the decisive events moved to Šiauliai, where on September 2nd at 12:00 PM, the return leg of this pair’s confrontation will take place, after which it will become clear which team will advance.
Already at the very beginning of the match, the yellow-blacks had a great opportunity to take the lead. Striker Kristina Pereviznyk, having broken away alone against the opposing goalkeeper, tried to send the ball into the net with a technical shot, but the ball flew over the goal.
In the 13th minute of the match, ‘Gintra’ goalkeeper Alla Herasymchuk had serious work, saving a dangerous attempt by the opponents.
Despite the opponents having more set-pieces in the first 20 minutes, the representatives of the Sun City were the first to take the lead in the match. In the 20th minute, K. Pereviznyk disarmed the opposing goalkeeper with a cunning long-range shot and put the Lithuanian champions ahead – 1:0.
Although the home team controlled the ball for most of the time, the Gintra players successfully stuck to their game plan and not only defended successfully but also created dangerous counterattacks. No more goals were scored by either team in the first half of the match.
During the break, two substitutions were made in the Šiauliai ranks. Elizabeth Mideva, who replaced Justina Blaževičiūtė, and Julia Dias, who took Gracie Knutzen’s place, appeared on the field.
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In the second half, the situation on the field essentially did not change. The home team continued to dominate with the ball, but the organized defensive actions of the Gintra players prevented the opponents from scoring.
In the 75th minute of the match, the opponents had a chance to restore the status quo, but ‘Gintra’ goalkeeper Alla Herasymchuk, playing reliably, did not allow them to do so.
Nevertheless, in the 81st minute, ‘Sturm’ midfielder Lena Breznik managed to score the equalizer. With an accurate shot from about 16 meters, the opponent sent the ball into the net – 1:1.
The energized Austrians began to create one dangerous moment after another as the match drew to a close, but A. Herasymchuk continued to demonstrate enviable composure.
At the very beginning of the match, with the last minute of added time ticking away, the ‘Sturm’ footballers nevertheless managed to get the gathered fans on their feet. After a corner kick, L. Breznik herself scored a goal with a header and marked a brace, giving the victory to the hosts – 2:1.
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