Calcio Estate 2025: the Crystal Ball goes to Samuel Pancotti

The San Marino Stadium once again hosted Calcio Estate – the summer showcase dedicated to Sammarinese football, featuring individual prizes and awards linked to the season that has just ended. Futsal took centre stage, also thanks to the evening commitments scheduled by Roberto Osimani. The Head Coach himself opened the ceremony by presenting an award to Massimiliano Spada – winner of the Futsal Panchina d’Oro (Golden Bench) after a superb season in charge of all-conquering Murata. Murata were also behind the Futsal Best Player award, which went to Danilo Busignani – who also claimed the Bombardino d’Oro thanks to his 64 goals during the season. The best Sammarinese Under-23 player in the small-sided game, recipient of the Futsal Talent award, is young Nicholas Cola, who played for Tre Penne last season.

The focus then shifted to the Sammarinese refereeing corps, and acting as a bridge between the sporting disciplines promoted by the FSGC was Nicolò Lerza, who received the Futsal Fischietto d’Oro (Golden Whistle). The equivalent award for 11-a-side football, for the 2024-25 season, went to Antonio Ucini. Among the assistant referees, it was Ernesto Cristiano who stood out: the San Marino international assistant referee was awarded the Bandierina d’Oro (Golden Flag). In recent years, the honour and responsibility of telling the story of Sammarinese football at the coalface has fallen to the commentators of Titani.tv. From their ranks came the winner of the Communication Award: the accolade went to Paolo Santi – a long-serving commentator who began his career on radio before moving to television.

Turning to matters on the pitch, the evening opened with the centre forwards. Matteo Prandelli, Tre Fiori striker, claimed the Bombardino d’Oro for the second time in his career (21 goals scored in the last Sammarinese Championship), while the top scorer in the most recent Coppa Titano was Loris Tortori (4 goals in the competition) – a winger for all-conquering Virtus, who managed to score in every final. This was also one of the reasons why he was chosen as the winner of the Koppe Prize – awarded to the best non-Sammarinese or non-resident player of the past sporting season. Alongside quantity, quality was also recognised: the Goal of the Season went to Adolfo Hirsch for his delightful lob at the end of a coast-to-coast run. Among the goalkeepers, the favourite of FSGC followers – and also of the technical jury – was once again Gennaro Del Prete.

For the third year running, Ivan Buonocunto – Virtus playmaker – was recognised as the best provider of assists in Sammarinese football. His 17 decisive passes for team-mates over the past season earned him the Assist Award. Among the most heartfelt and meaningful prizes, the Career Oscar – intended to honour long-serving club officials who have devoted years and years to Sammarinese clubs – was awarded to Paolo Nanni, a historic club official at Tre Penne.

Moving on to the women’s game, the players recognised as the best in the first team and youth sectors respectively were Giorgia Miotto (Top Woman) and Arianna Forcellini (Top Girl). The Golden Boy, reserved for the best Sammarinese Under-23 player, can also in part be associated with San Marino Academy: Alberto Riccardi, who began the season with the Under-22s before moving to La Fiorita, took the prize in the year of his debut for the National Team and in UEFA club competitions. Completing the list of Academy awards was Roberto Di Maio: in charge of the Under-17 – Serie C side during the 2024-25 season, he was named San Marino Academy Best Coach.

When speaking of awards for coaches, it is impossible not to mention the Duilio Felici Trophy, which is designed to honour the fairest coach. It was certainly a great pleasure for Adrian Ricchiuti – at Faetano last season – to receive this accolade. As for results achieved, there were no doubts: Luigi Bizzotto, who guided Virtus to a treble in 2024-25, could only be rewarded with the Panchina d’Oro. Last but not least came the Crystal Ball. The trophy reserved for the best Sammarinese or resident player went to Samuel Pancotti. The Folgore winger, who also impressed in the shirt of the National Team – scoring both in the Preliminary Round and in the Final Tournament, hosted for the first time in the Republic of San Marino – can celebrate his first Crystal Ball of his career.