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Zarica Kranj v Svoboda Ljubljana

19 May 2012
Slovenia, 3.SNL Zahod
Zarica Kranj 1 Svoboda Ljubljana 1 (att 50)

My first ever game in Slovenia was a third division match with visitors Svoboda in need of points at the wrong end of the table.

They would have left Kranj with all three where it not for a harsh penalty 15 minutes from the end. The visiting keeper punched bouncing ball straight into the face of a Zarica forward, who went down in pain. I can only assume the referee missed the involvement of the ball and thought the keeper had punched the player, although that offence would surely have earned more than the yellow card he got.

The home side's spot kick equaliser was a fair reflection on what had been an even game. It was played at a sedate, and in truth an often dull, pace on a very hot afternoon. Much of the football was neat and precise, but control and finishing were poor. Svoboda first half goal came after they sprung an offside trap and the scorer kept cool and rounded the keeper.

Kranj is a pleasant town about about 30 minutes by train from Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. Zarica's ground is about two miles south of the town, and tennis vies with football as the venue's main sport.

Having overestimated the time it might take to walk to the ground I arrived early for the 5pm kick off, and was pleased to see the modern clubhouse doubles as a pizzeria. Just as well I had plenty of time, as the pizza I ordered to accompany a pre-match beer was huge.

There's no spectator access on clubhouse side of the football ground, but on the far side four steep rows of terracing, with uncovered plastic seats, are built into the hillside. Entrance, for 4eu, is via the corner, from where the left hand end has flat open standing. the far end backs onto a training pitch.





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