Ticino Amateur team guide

Country: Switzerland

How they reached the finals:
Switzerland's Ticino Amateur reached the UEFA Regions' Cup finals after emerging triumphant in Group 9, winning all three of their games in Slovenia.

Tough draw
Despite being drawn against hosts MNZ Murska Sobota Amateur in their opening game in Krizeveci on 17 September 2002, Denis Guerra scored after just eight minutes to give Ticino a 1-0 win and put them on course for the finals.

Early goal
Guerra found the target after only two minutes in the Swiss side's next qualifying game against Liechtenstein Amateur in Murska Sobota two days later, but this time, Ticino managed to add to their lead. Francesco Ardemagni doubled their advantage after 63 minutes and he scored again 15 minutes later to give Piergiorgio Grassi's side a 3-0 lead. Manuel Ritter pulled a goal back for Liechtenstein with seven minutes remaining.

Final showdown
Those two wins lined up a winner-takes-all showdown with Bosnia-Herzegovina's Entity Amateur, who had also won their opening two games, on 21 September. The match at the Krizeveci stadium was to live up to its billing.

Entity comeback
Once more Ticino took an early lead, with Andrea Bellini finding the target after just three minutes, but Entity were to prove tough opponents, with Haris Alispahic scoring in the 19th and 24th minutes to give the Bosnians the lead.

Two penalties
However, Guerra was on hand again to cool Swiss nerves, scoring a minute before half-time, and in the second half, indiscipline cost Entity, as they conceded two penalties, both of which were converted by Ümit Senkal.

Dangerous Guerra
Ticino's knack for early goals is something that their opponents will have to be on the lookout for at the Regions' Cup finals, and in Guerra they also have one of the most prolific scorers in the competition.

Top scorers:
Denis Guerra (3)
Francesco Ardemagni (2)
Ümit Senkal (2)