Championship: fireworks in Cosmos-Cailungo

A match of extraordinary intensity at the Ezio Conti in Dogana, where Cosmos and Cailungo went head-to-head. After an early, wayward attempt by Labas, it was the Gialloverdi who struck first via the all-Sammarinese axis Mularoni-Grandoni: the winger arrived at the far post to power home a header for 1-0 inside the first 300 seconds. Sarti’s side did not stand by and watch: they threatened through Hirsch, who mistimed his effort on a through ball from Labas. On the half-hour Conti tried his luck from distance, going close to scoring a second wonder goal in the space of a few days. At this point Cailungo took control of proceedings and earned a fully deserved equaliser on 39 minutes with a textbook header from Costa, set up by Hirsch. Moments before the break, Cailungo also had the chance to turn the game around, but Di Meo produced a vital block. The comeback was completed at the start of the second half when Conti beat Semprini from a set piece – probably helped by a deflection off Grassi who, at best, screened his own goalkeeper’s view and wrong-footed him. Andy Selva’s Cosmos responded with real aggression, sending on Ben Kacem: the former Libertas forward pushed the ball too far ahead of himself, allowing Gallinetta to come out on top in a one-on-one on 65 minutes. The Serravalle side had to wait another six minutes to draw level, again via a header – this time Badalassi finishing off a pinpoint cross from Grandoni. The final twenty minutes were explosive: Semprini was alert and brave when rushing out at Hirsch’s feet, and was then left helpless by the chip from the former Sammarinese international, which crashed against the inside of the upright. At the other end Grandoni went close to a brace without managing to hit the target, while Conti saw another free-kick diverted away when he seemed set for a second goal. Before the end, Fermi sent a third-time effort over the bar from a promising position. It finished 2-2 in Dogana after a lively and entertaining contest. In Montecchio, Virtus racked up yet another win. It was a much tighter affair, with Cordioli – the new signing for Juvenes-Dogana – forcing De Angelis into action from a dead ball on 7 minutes. The opening spell went in favour of Fabbri’s side, but they were caught open on a break led by Pecci and Benincasa, with the latter denied by a crucial intervention from Bakalyar. Virtus grew into the game and Gentilini began to pull the strings: he dealt comfortably with Lombardi’s left-footed effort, and in stoppage time the forward failed to hit the target from range. The Juvenes-Dogana goalkeeper was outstanding in the second half to keep out Pecci’s shot from mid-range, and even more spectacular on Lombardi’s volley on 65 minutes. Age is just a number for the keeper, who flew to the top corner to tip the ball onto the woodwork. However, the Neroverdi pressure was relentless and five minutes later it led to the opening goal from Pecci, teed up by an assist from Elia Ciacci. Two minutes on, the Sammarinese midfielder got on the scoresheet himself, acrobatically finishing off a goalmouth scramble to effectively put the three points on ice. From there to the final whistle, Bizzotto’s team managed their two-goal lead without major scares and almost added gloss to the scoreline when Lombardi bent a right-footed effort just over. The reigning champions stay top of the table, moving temporarily six points clear of La Fiorita, who play tomorrow against Tre Fiori. It was all straightforward for Girolomoni’s Gialloblù, who went ahead on 13 minutes with a header from Errichiello following a cross from the right by Manfroni. The striker sent the chance to double the lead over the bar a quarter of an hour later, and his lack of composure resurfaced on the half-hour when he failed to make the most of a fine assist from Benedettini. On the counter, Libertas squandered a golden chance to make it 1-1 through Vivilecchia, who did well to follow up on Nicolini’s move but failed to apply the finishing tap-in after Nardi’s save. The first half ended with a fine stop by Manzaroli to deny Falzetta, but at the start of the second half the Sammarinese keeper could do nothing about Bernardi’s free-kick on 50 minutes. Tre Fiori’s victory was effectively sealed, even though they survived a scare when Moretti’s deflected effort came back off the crossbar. The Fiorentino club then put the game out of reach with a splendid passing move on the deck involving Bernardi and Benedettini in the build-up, finished impeccably by Manfroni in the heart of the area. Girolomoni’s men kept their foot on the accelerator and won a penalty on 72 minutes for a foul on Errichiello: from the spot, Benedettini got under his kick and struck the bar. No major harm done for Tre Fiori, who made it four in stoppage time through Djadji – expertly picked out by Prandelli, who started on the bench today. The final fixture of the advance schedule was the meeting between Fiorentino and San Marino Academy, staged in Montecchio. For the Rossoblù there was the late headache of Benedettini’s withdrawal: Berardi started in goal, making his third league appearance. Both sides tried their luck from distance early on: Santi and Dimasi gave the goalkeepers their first touches, while on 19 minutes Giacopetti hit the post with the goal gaping, failing to capitalise on Santi’s work even on the rebound, when he fired straight at Diagne. Earlier, a superb Borasco had denied Omar Diop from close range. At the other end, Giacopetti produced a wonderful solo run, beating two opponents but failing to hit the target from a great position. Cervellini fared no better on 27 minutes, heading wide from short range. Fiorentino responded with an effort from Abouzziane, beaten away by the alert Borasco, who was less convincing soon after when he came up against the Moroccan winger again, this time allowing him to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark. Before that, the Academy had survived two situations at the very last moment. Seven minutes later it was all square again: Riccardi threaded a pass through for Nicolò Sancisi, who did brilliantly to nod the ball forward and then finish with his right foot. An awkward intervention from Berardi, unfortunately for Fiorentino, did the rest: on 39 minutes it was 1-1, a scoreline that held to the interval. That was because Bara was judged offside when he stole a march on the defence to turn in the tap-in after Borasco had saved from Dimasi. Early in the second half, Casadei tried his luck but failed to hit the target from 20 metres; the Rossoblù reply, however, was decisive: Boubacar Diop needed two attempts to finally beat Borasco and restore Fiorentino’s lead. A minute later, Tarini’s men had the chance to kill off the game from the penalty spot: Belward took responsibility, but was denied by Borasco’s reflex save with his foot. The duel resumed on 78 minutes in open play, and once again the Sammarinese keeper came out on top. The exploits of the game’s outstanding player kept the Under-22s in contention, but they lacked the killer touch. Fiorentino thus returned to winning ways and climbed the table with their tenth victory in seventeen outings. Here is the partial picture from Matchday 18 of the Campionato Sammarinese, all of which is broadcast live and free via streaming with full Italian commentary on the Titani.tv platform: Click here for the updated standings.

---