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Speculation about the "one-goal final" in the Scottish Cup did not come true - the silver medals in the country's "Premier" league were won by Edinburgh's "Hearts" after a very intense, dramatic, and nerve-wracking penalty shootout in the 11-meter series, defeating the third-strongest team in the Scottish division and the cup tournament sensation, the "Gretna" club.
1 - 1 "Gretna" (11-meter series 4-2) 39` [1 - 0] Rudi Skacel 75` [1 - 1] Ryan McGuffie 120` Paul Hartley ("Hearts") sent off from the field The match was started by the "Hearts" team coached by Valdas Ivanauskas with their usual lineup. Nerijus Barasa was not registered for the match, Saulius Mikoliunas remained on the bench, while Lithuanians Deividas Cesnauskis and Edgaras Jankauskas took to the field. It was Cesnauskis and Jankauskas who first threatened the opponent's goal - at the beginning of the match, Cesnauskis came very close to scoring, but his shot from 20 meters hit the post, and Jankauskas' shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by "Gretna" goalkeeper Alan Main. "Gretna" responded with a dangerous shot from Gavin Skelton, and demonstrating his mastery, "Hearts" goalkeeper Craig Gordon managed to deflect the ball. Later, in a dangerous counterattack by the Edinburgh team, Skelton managed to stop Rudi Skacel, and a header by Czech striker Roman Bednar to the far post did not cause any major problems for the goalkeeper. In the 39th minute, "Hearts" finally took the lead - Robbie Neilson crossed the ball into the penalty area from the flank, the defenders managed to win the battle "in the air" against Jankauskas, but the ball ended up with Skacel and he scored the first goal with a precise shot into the corner of the net. The goal scorer Czech removed his shirt, revealing farewell words written on it "I will never forget the Hearts. Thank you Jambos." thanked the fans, seemingly confirming that he was preparing to leave the team.
After the break, Steve Tosh had a good chance to equalize, but after receiving the ball near the penalty area, he shot wide. "Gretna" gradually took control and tried to attack, while "Hearts" had more opportunities to counterattack - in one swift move, Jankauskas set up Bednar one-on-one, but his attempt to chip the goalkeeper from distance was off target. Minutes later, "Hearts" almost paid for a missed opportunity, as David Graham managed to find a gap in the Edinburgh team's defense and, after dribbling past Ibrahim Tall, the "Gretna" player entered the penalty area, evaded goalkeeper C. Gordon, but lost his footing and in the last moment the danger was cleared by "Hearts" defender R. Neilson.
However, Valdas Ivanauskas' proteges did not heed the warning, and in the 75th minute, Cesnauskis carelessly tripped John O'Neil in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty kick and although Ryan McGuffie's shot was saved by C. Gordon, the ball rebounded to the "Gretna" defender and on his second attempt from a few meters he sent the ball into the net.
