Zlín leave Württemberg in a spin

Zlín Region ensured there would be a tense finish to UEFA Regions' Cup Group A as they came out on top in a physical encounter with Württembergischer FV on a windy evening in Fao.

Tomáš Stojaspal's 78th-minute strike settled the contest in favour of Petr Zapletal's men, who recovered from their opening-day defeat by Braga. The result means both teams have to win their final group game on Sunday – Zlín meet Yednyst Plysky and Württemberg face Braga – to have any chance of reaching Tuesday's final in Barcelos.

There was no doubting the commitment of both sides as they played out a tight first half. Přemysl Beňo's early attempt apart, both teams were restricted to speculative long-range efforts, with Württemberg's only shot of note being a hopeful strike by Benjamino Molinari from the edge of the box.

The second half started in the same manner as the first, with neither side affording the other time or space on the ball. Yet the game had to open up at some point, and shortly after the hour Patrick Krätschmer's precision cross found Manuel Grampes in a rare pocket of space, but the striker's angled header trickled wide of the far post.

As the half progressed, Zdeněk Matějka became increasingly influential for Zlín and only the crossbar prevented him from opening the scoring. However, it was team-mate Stojaspal who eventually found the back of the net, the midfielder skipping past Krätschmer in the area before firing a low, angled shot through a crowd of players.

As Württemberg pressed for an equaliser, Patrick Faber tried his luck from long range, and Grampes was thwarted by the onrushing Adam Hájek, but Zlín would not be denied.