Coppa Titano BKN301: Zabre leads Libertas rout, into quarter-finals with La Fiorita, Folgore, Domagnano and Fiorentino

Domagnano and Libertas book their places in the Coppa Titano BKN301 quarter-finals, overturning predictions that had Murata and Juvenes-Dogana as favourites. The latter, after a brilliant start to the league campaign, endured a nightmare evening from start to finish, collapsing under the clinical finishing of the Granata – devastating down the Morelli-Zabre axis. On 15 minutes the strike partnership breaks the deadlock: the Rimini-born forward does well to reach the byline and pick out his team-mate at the near post, ruthless with the close-range finish. Sperindio’s men make the most of the momentum and Juvenes-Dogana’s careless possession, as the ball is lost in their own defensive third and they are punished on a quick transition, started by Sapori and refined by Morelli for the inevitable Zabre. Juvenes-Dogana squander two chances to get back into the game, denied on 27 minutes by Elia Benedettini – outstanding in parrying Sottile’s right-footed effort despite a slight fever that had put his participation in doubt until shortly before kick-off. The 22-year-old striker completes his hat-trick on 56 minutes, again from a brilliant assist by the experienced playmaker: Morelli nutmegs Meluzzi on the edge of his own penalty area and then carries the ball 50 metres before releasing Zabre into space. A thunderous right-footed strike at the near post puts qualification on ice for the Borgo Maggiore club, who then find a fourth from the spot through Santoni. To make the night even more emphatic, a grave mistake by Gentilini – who had earlier conceded the penalty – is ruthlessly punished by Nicholas Di Meo for the final 5-0 scoreline. The Granata will face the winners of tonight’s blockbuster tie between Cosmos and Tre Penne in the quarter-finals (this evening in Montecchio, 20:45). Their next opponents will be no easier for Domagnano either, as they will face title holders Virtus, who have done nothing but win since the magical night when Bizzotto’s men lifted their first Coppa Titano BKN301. The Wolves, however, will go into it convinced they have found the right path to turn around a complicated start to the season. After their first league win, secured against Libertas, Paolo Rossi’s men claim another major scalp in the shape of today’s formidable Murata side. The key episodes that tilt the balance towards Domagnano come just after the half-hour mark: first the opening goal scored by Ceccaroli, made possible by a cheap loss of possession by Cicarelli in midfield. Then, some 120 seconds later, Affonso’s sending-off, which forces Angelini’s side to play an hour with ten men as they chase the goal that would have meant extra time. Earlier, Murata had gone close from two consecutive corners that forced Colonna into heroics. The San Marino goalkeeper is the key man behind the Wolves’ decisive clean sheet, denying Ura as well. Despite the extra man, Domagnano are happy to cede the initiative, with Murata close to levelling through Gaiani and Ura. At the other end Gueye reacts sharply to a corner in first-half stoppage time. After the interval it is Domagnano who are quicker out of the blocks, going within a whisker of 2-0 through Gozzi. With nothing left to protect, Murata pour forward into the attacking half, only to be repeatedly denied by a superb Colonna who – when finally beaten – can rely on Nanni’s perfect positioning, crucial in heading Peters’ effort off the line. After a spell of defending deep, the Wolves land the killer blow on 86 minutes, when Gregori escapes a double-team in midfield and leads a five-on-four break, timing his pass perfectly for Crescentini, who celebrates in style his 19th birthday last Friday, sending Domagnano through to the quarter-finals. Goals rain down at the “Ezio Conti” in Dogana, where Folgore overwhelm Pennarossa, helped by the early dismissal of Lazzarini, the Biancorosso goalkeeper. The resulting penalty, awarded by Ucini, allows Sartori to open the scoring and set Falciano’s side – narrow winners in the first leg – firmly on the right track. Five minutes later the chance becomes a near-certainty, when Simeoni signs the second. The lead is stretched to three on 41 minutes by Samuel Pancotti, just a few minutes before Turrà pulls one back for Pennarossa. The tempo drops after the break and, after coming close to conceding a fourth, Nobile’s side make it 2-3 through Alessandro Conti – on the pitch for ten minutes at that point. There is no fairy-tale ending for the Chiesanuova club, who would have needed two goals in twenty minutes with a man down to force extra time. The final word is written by Francesco Gori, son of the late Massimo, who will surely have had a special thought as he celebrated his first goal of the season. Folgore’s opponents will emerge from the Faetano–Tre Fiori tie, to be decided this evening in Acquaviva (20:45). The pairing between La Fiorita and Fiorentino is already confirmed, both sides having won home and away against Cailungo and San Giovanni respectively. Montegiardino’s Gialloblù achieve maximum reward for minimum effort, repeating the 1-0 scoreline from the first leg against Iencinella’s team. After a balanced first half, in which La Fiorita have the better of the play without scoring, it is Alex Ambrosini who dispels any doubts with the definitive 1-0 goal on 58 minutes. Cailungo threaten from set pieces, especially with a Zonzini free-kick that forces his compatriot Zavoli into a save down to his side. As mentioned, Manfredini’s men will now have to deal with Fiorentino. Camillini’s side manage the sizeable advantage from the first leg (4-1), while the sporting miracle San Giovanni needed briefly looked on the cards after Aprea’s early goal, converting a penalty after just four minutes. Fiorentino keep their composure and restore order a quarter of an hour later: from Simoncini’s long clearance, Gimenez misjudges the interception on Stefanelli and opens the door of the penalty area to the San Marino forward. Nothing De Angelis can do as he is beaten by the left-footed finish of the Rossoblù number nine. Inevitably, Tognacci’s men push more and more players forward as the minutes tick by, exposing themselves to the pace and counter-attacking qualities of their opponents. Several crucial saves by De Angelis cannot prevent defeat for San Giovanni, who finally succumb on 89 minutes: Niang’s driving run and dribble in the box are devastating, and he is brought down just as he pulls the trigger. Vandi has no doubts and sends the same winger to the spot to make it 2-1. Here is the full schedule of the Coppa Titano BKN301 2023-24 Round of 16 first fixtures, all broadcast live and free via streaming on Titani.tv (Italian commentary): *matches played at the “Ezio Conti” stadium in Dogana will not be available via live streaming due to ongoing renovation works at the venue. Note: teams in bold have qualified for the quarter-finals. To view the bracket, click here.

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