THE OLD STARS COMING INTO GREAT FORM OVER THE PAST 4 WEEKS

The previous 3 performances saw the Old Stars playing good possession football, disciplined in carrying the ball forward and supporting with numbers that created many options and chances, never resorting to long balls.

This weekend was no different. In what appeared to be a rain-out, we had the better start into the game, creating 2 clear chances with Kolja in a 1-on-1, missing the lob over the keeper and Alp, who missed a sharp Taka cross in open position when he could not get the foot to the ball.
Those two chances and brilliant passing were almost choking the Exiles in their own half, when Urs decided to spice the game up a bit in what was a heel clearance directed into our own goal - just because Christian did not have enough to do until that point.

The Old Stars then notched it up a bit, with Martin relentlessly winning tackles in midfield and driving the ball up through the centre in a great tandem with Andy, while Taka on the left and Geoffrey on the right were delivering run after run on the wings, with Alp and Kolja splitting the Exiles’ defense time after time.

With the back four playing a rock-solid part - Matt driving the balls up the right, Manni slide-tackling the bejeesus out of whoever showed up against him, sending a few of them packing, and Urs and Roman never getting threatened in the centre, our team was playing like we always talk when we have one too many beers in us in the late hours... :)

That was about the time, around 15mins played, that one colleague on the bench felt he could do better than the rest and, waving his arms, demanded to be subbed in, because, well that’s Kai.
We brought Kai, Knipser and Tuncay on, and they showed what a strong squad we have.
Few minutes in, Tuncay said to himself: “screw this, I am going for it”, and on the second attempt scored a beauty from the edge of the box, cutting in from the left and setting up his right foot and drilling the ball into the low left corner.
1:1
On a roll, he then continued wreaking havoc on their right backs, following up seemingly lost balls, recovering one, crossing it in and Knipser did what he does best: invisible mamba, nowhere to be seen until he scores.
2:1
With the back four up to the centre line, and Martin, Kolja and Andy playing wonderful combinations, Rino was finally warmed up at about 30mins in and came on for Roman, who was a brilliant Centre-back stand in, and kept continuing the coffee chat with Urs, Matt and Manni in the back.

After a great cross from Tuncay Kolja was a bit roughed up during his well-placed header and after making a mental note to have a chat with the opponent at some other time, calmly punished them after a great flat cross from Tuncay for the third of the day:
3:1
We ended the first half amidst lightning warning, spirits up and feeling good, while the Exiles prayed for the game to be over since they had no shot on goal and looked like they needed some serious hugs.
Christian was bored numb in his goal but I am pretty sure enjoying watching us playing the beautiful game.

We went back on after a 20-min break and continued pushing, and about 10mins into the the second half, after a beautifully played combo, Knipser scored his second and the team’s 4th goal of the day, beautifully finishing up from inside the box.
4:1

When a long goal kick from the Exiles bounced above our defense and left their striker open, he lobbed the ball over Christian, who was left no chance. 4:2

Knipser said to himself that he can do that as well and was a few minutes later in place to lob their keeper for his first Hattrick of the season, killing any last-minute hopes of the Exiles.
5:2

A never-tiring Tuncay on the right settled the final score when he tanked through the right, somehow poked it away and after happily bouncing off and through a number of legs the ball decided it was worth finding the net and so we settled the game 6:2, with all the goals coming from our strike-squad - well done!

First and long overdue win with a calm display of great football, spirit and positive attitude that allowed us some fun after the game, until our no-nonsense Return-to-the-ground-Rino called our enthusiasm to order for having too much excitement - because that is the way in Switzerland. :)

Man of the Match: Kolja, for distributing the ball, playing through 80mins and scoring himself and setting up countless dangerous attacks.
Honorable mentions: Tuncay, who started the comeback with a goal, then another and two assists; Knipser, because a Hattrick is a Hattrick, and Martin in the Centre, who tackled, distributed and held the game in a great tandem with Andy.
Manni, your opponents are still crying.

Handbag of the Match goes to Kolja for fluffing the lob and Alp for failing to put his right to the perfect cross from Taka. Aaaaaaargghhhh!

Enjoy your well-deserved break.
Alp out.