BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese: Tre Penne crowned champions for the fifth time!

Sunday 23 April 2023 is a date that will be indelibly etched in the history of Tre Penne, who have laid their hands on the San Marino league title for the fifth time in the club’s history. A long campaign, over twenty-eight matches, at the end of which Stefano Ceci’s side proved stronger than the rest – and above all than the relentless challenge of Cosmos. It was a gruelling and energy-sapping duel, from the first to the last matchday, in a season that saw Virtus, Tre Fiori and La Fiorita fall away from the title race – just a month and a half ago – sides we will meet again in the play-offs, where the chase for a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League will begin. The key moments came in early April: Virtus held Cosmos to a draw, allowing Tre Penne to overtake them at the top thanks to a simultaneous 3-2 victory over San Giovanni. Once they had moved into first place, Ceci’s team did not falter again, starting with the head‑to‑head with the Gialloverdi which finished 2-2 thanks to a last‑gasp goal by Sapucci. That was followed by three straight wins without conceding, which rendered futile Cosmos’ attempts to put pressure on Tre Penne, who celebrated their fifth national title in Acquaviva and booked a place in the next UEFA Champions League. In Acquaviva they faced a Faetano side flirting with elimination, should Pennarossa do better than Girolomoni’s men in their simultaneous fixture with Virtus. Tre Penne started on the front foot, going close through Nigretti and Gai before actually breaking the deadlock from a corner. In the scramble, the decisive touch came from Vandi – his second league goal of the season. The crossbar came to Faetano’s rescue on the quarter hour, while Pieri’s tap‑in lacked accuracy. So too on 20 minutes, when he pounced on a loose ball in the box only to miss what looked a certain goal. In between, Badalassi also failed to hit the target after Porcellini had only half cleared Righini’s set piece. On their first real foray forward, Faetano almost scored: Ferrario was played onside behind the centre-backs, went round Migani but found a monumental Lombardi blocking his path on the goal line. A similar situation unfolded in the opposite box when Pieri drove into the area, cleverly teeing up Barretta on the edge of the six‑yard box, only for his shot to be smothered at the crucial moment. Before the break Gai and Badalassi both went close to doubling the lead, which the striker then squandered sensationally at the start of the second half. On 47 minutes Ceccaroli sent him clear: one‑on‑one with Porcellini, he had to bow to a miraculous save from the opposing goalkeeper. Tre Penne kept pushing for the goal that would settle their nerves, and it arrived on 53 minutes: Gai played a vertical ball to Pieri, who instantly released Badalassi, flawless this time in his one‑on‑one with Porcellini. On 61 minutes Faetano appealed for a penalty after Vandi’s challenge on Fall in the box, but the referee waved play on. After another chance went begging for Nigretti, Faetano almost set up a tense finale when Borioni struck the crossbar. That was the final flashpoint before Tre Penne’s celebrations, applauded by a Faetano side lining up in a pasillo to pay tribute to the new champions of San Marino, who lifted the fifth league title in their history to the sky above Acquaviva and now set their sights on the Coppa Titano final against Virtus. Ceci’s men have one last assignment this season, in just over a month’s time, again on the Acquaviva artificial pitch, as they go in search of the double. The defeat brought no real regrets for Faetano, as Pennarossa also lost their clash with Virtus. Still without a recognised goalkeeper, Bizzotto once again turned to midfielder Ciacci to guard the Neroverdi’s goal. The deadlock was broken by Benincasa, who rose highest to head in a fine cross from Battistini. In almost identical fashion, Pennarossa drew level, with Bahi heading in Mezzadri’s wide free‑kick and taking advantage of Virtus’ questionable set‑piece defending. Yet it was Tortori who tipped the balance in favour of the Acquaviva club, striking twice after the break: first with a header from a Buonocunto corner, then on the counter-attack, coolly beating Marconi at the end of a vertical move. Pennarossa are thus cut adrift from the post‑season, while Virtus finish fourth in the table, overtaking Tre Fiori on the line. This because Selva’s side slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Cosmos. The Serravalle club were obliged to win and to hope for a favourable result for Faetano, which did not materialise. That does not take anything away from the superb league campaign by Berardi’s men, who boasted both the best attack and the best defence in the regular season and now head into the post‑season wearing the favourites’ tag. At Montecchio, Tre Fiori started better, testing Simoncini with a right‑footed effort from Gjurchinoski. The San Marino keeper was nothing short of outstanding on 25 minutes, denying former team‑mate Dolcini with a superb double save. At the first real attempt, Cosmos struck. Just before the half‑hour, Loiodice swung in a cross from the right channel which Nisi guided into the net – aided by Semprini’s misjudged attempt to come out. After the restart Tre Fiori had an extra weapon in Tall: the forward, a product of Roma’s academy, first went close with a header, then produced an overhead kick that shaved the post – though it would have been ruled out anyway for offside. In the closing stages of a tactical, low‑key encounter, Pastorelli first went close to doubling the lead from distance, then finally sealed the 2-0 in the 90th minute plus 7, finishing off an unstoppable coast‑to‑coast run. Having been overtaken by Virtus, Tre Fiori will also have to do without De Lucia for their quarter‑final opener against Libertas: the centre‑back was sent off in the fourth minute of stoppage time. There were emphatic wins for Juvenes‑Dogana and Murata, who both step into the post‑season in favourable positions for Wednesday’s Preliminary Round. Amati’s side ran out 6-1 winners over Cailungo, opening the scoring through Gianmaria Borghini on 15 minutes. Pasolini doubled the lead with a brilliant strike just before half‑time, beating Benedettini with a powerful right‑foot shot from distance. The second half began with Canini hitting the woodwork, but Juvenes‑Dogana had the game firmly in hand: the quickfire goals from Borghini (his brace) and Merli just after the hour were more than enough to secure the points. The playmaker’s moment of magic is one to watch and re‑watch as he scores with a back‑heel from the byline after dribbling past the goalkeeper. In the closing stages Cailungo grabbed a consolation through Canini, before further goals from Stella and Benedetti. In Domagnano, Murata cruised to a 5-1 victory, capitalising on an early defensive lapse from their opponents. Barely 150 seconds had elapsed when Colonna raced out of his area to try and beat Ura to the ball, but instead brought down the forward, who had already skipped past him. Straight red for the goalkeeper, who will almost certainly miss the Preliminary Round tie with Juvenes‑Dogana, and the match became an uphill task for Domagnano. Angelini’s men struck as early as the 10th minute thanks to the Toccaceli‑Ura combination, before doubling their lead via a Baffoni own goal. By the 27th minute it was already 3-0 and a brace for Ura, who pounced on a turnover and Ferraro’s assist to put the result beyond doubt. Domagnano’s response amounted to a penalty, which Fedeli saw saved by Gueye, and a consolation goal that went down as an own goal after a mis‑timed intervention by Matteoni. After the interval the Bianconeri wrapped things up, making it 4-1 through the ever‑dangerous Ura – whose hat‑trick takes him to 15 goals for the season. Late on, Comuniello also got on the scoresheet, opening up his right foot to beat Guidi for a fifth time. With the title race settled today by Tre Penne’s victory, crowning them champions of San Marino 2022-23, the post‑season will already get under way on Wednesday. Four teams will take part in the Preliminary Round, which will decide who faces Cosmos and La Fiorita at the quarter‑final stage. In their respective fixtures with Faetano and Domagnano, Murata and Juvenes‑Dogana will have two results out of three in their favour to clinch a place in the main draw. Girolomoni’s and Ranocchini’s sides, on the other hand, have no alternative but victory. In less than a week, the quarter‑finals kick off. On Saturday, the teams finishing between fourth and seventh in the table will take to the field, while on Sunday Cosmos and La Fiorita will return to action for the first legs of their ties against the winners of the Preliminary Round. This is the full picture from the 30th and final matchday of the 2022-23 BKN301 Campionato Sammarinese:

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