Italia 3 - 0 Cyprus (282771451)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 12000 that came out to James Arena. Italia had chosen a strategic 2-5-3 formation. The following players took the field: Ardolo - Omenazzo, Cogliati - Carbone, Metta, Scattino, Chirizzi, Ragusa - Panzieri, Margiotta, Panzacchi.

Cyprus decided to use a 4-4-2 set up. The following players had been chosen: Charitonidis - Nesim, Fantis, Atsalakis, Bilal - Tamara, Mpouratsis, Irkıl, Vangelis - Sayrun, Gogolos.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Cyprus on this day. Italia had a chance to take the lead on Francesco Chirizzi's dazzling drive up the left, but the opportunity fizzled away as his shot went just over the bar after 7 minutes. Italia took the lead 16 minutes in, as Alex Ragusa broke through on the left and put the 1 - 0 shot just beyond the reach of the outstretched keeper. Italia's Pietro Panzieri got himself booked for a foul. Guido Metta sailed high above the opponents as he headed the 2-0 goal in on a corner kick from Pietro Panzieri after 33 minutes of play. Marco Omenazzo had a fantastic opportunity to put Italia up another goal 34 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. Halftime score was 2 - 0. This half belonged to Italia, who controlled the ball 66 percent of the time.

After 46 minutes, Cyprus switched Platonas Vangelis with Yiannis Germanos, hoping for a quick impact on the pitch. Francesco Chirizzi enjoyed the sunshine and demonstrated his stunning technique over and over again. Italia's Pietro Panzieri put in a disappointing effort on a penalty after 63 minutes, firing just wide of the goal. The referee showed Cyprus's Kerim Irkıl the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The home side's Giuseppe Panzacchi came close to extending the lead 65 minutes into the game. His shot came in from the right hand side but Lampros Charitonidis managed to save it with an unbelievable reaction stop. Content with how the game was proceeding, the Italia coach let Marco Caluri replace Giuseppe Panzacchi after 70 minutes. After 71 minutes, a couple of quick and successful challenges followed by a shot from just outside the penalty area by Girolamo Margiotta might have resulted in another goal for Italia. However, Lampros Charitonidis made a spectacular save. With 72 minutes played, Italia put themselves up 3 - 0 when the visiting defenders lost the ball to Oddone Cogliati, who came up from the left and proceeded to coolly round the keeper and knock the ball home. The structure of the game started to change as Italia decided to pull back and meet their opponents in their own half. As Alex Ragusa was substituted 73 minutes into the game, he could take comfort in the fact that his team was in the lead. Ferruccio Oggioni was the replacement. The Italia players could smell victory in the air. Francesco Chirizzi wasn't in a hurry to leave the field as he was substituted for Augusto Ianni after 75 minutes. Italia held the ball, with a clear 68 percent of possession.

Italia's best player was Pietro Panzieri. Oddone Cogliati on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Cyprus player was without a doubt Yiannis Germanos. Recep Nesim turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 3 - 0.