At dawn on Wednesday (18th), in the first round of the Championship promotion play-offs, Nottingham Forest, who had a one-goal lead, lost 1-2 to Sheffield United at home, and the two-legged tie was finally decided through a penalty shootout. In this crucial matchup, Forest's goalkeeper, Bais Semba, played a heroic game, saving three consecutive penalties to help his team advance to the final. They will play Hattersfield on the 29th for a place in next season's Premier League.
Forest started the game strongly, with Bylan Johnson breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute to make it 2-0, but Sheffield United didn't give up, and coach Higginbottom inspired his side to score twice in the second half to make it 2-2. Extra time was a scoreless affair, with both sides having to settle for penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Bysimba was once again instrumental, saving three penalties to help Forest win 3-2. After the game, the home fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate, with one fan even hitting Sheffield United striker Billy Schaub in the head, resulting in an injury and stitches. Forest's opponents in the promotion play-off final were Hattersfield, who knocked out Luton in the other semi-final.
