Futsal, league: Fiorentino complete the double with comeback win and fly to Europe

Fiorentino complete the double. A month on from lifting the Titano Futsal Cup, Matteo Michelotti’s side also claim the San Marino Futsal Championship in the grand final against Folgore. On the court of a packed Multieventi, the Rossoblu secure their fifth title (the fourth in the last five seasons) and in doing so also book their place in the preliminary round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League. The brighter start, however, belongs to Max Spada’s Folgore, who take the lead after just a few minutes: a free-kick on the edge of the box, captain Massimiliano Bernardi steps up and finds the perfect bottom corner, leaving Mattia Protti with no chance. Fiorentino respond with their heads down and full throttle, with Moretti and Ercolani testing goalkeeper Geri’s reflexes. Among the Giallorossoneri from Falciano, Bernardi is the liveliest. On 18 minutes comes an incident that could change the game: Cevoli shoots from the right, the referees judge that Pellegrini diverts the ball with his arm and point to the spot. Danilo Busignani steps up but Gian Luca Geri guesses right and Folgore preserve their lead. Fiorentino refuse to lie down and shortly afterwards carve out another good chance to equalise: Busignani bursts down the left and squares for Zafferani, whose effort is again denied by Geri; on the rebound Ercolani attempts an overhead kick but sends it wide. The Rossoblu goal does arrive soon after: a brilliant move sees Moretti exchange passes with Ercolani and then dart into the middle, is picked out by his team-mate and calmly slots home the leveller. Folgore respond soon after with the ever-dangerous Bernardi, but Protti is equal to it. Right at the end of the half Fiorentino twice go close through Maiani: first the number six is unable to get enough power on the ball from close range, then around the 30-minute mark he tries again from an Ercolani assist but Geri closes the angle well. The sides go into the break level at one goal apiece. Little happens at the start of the second half, with both defences keeping the opposing attacks well under control. On 42 minutes Bernardi looks to exploit his pace and tries a diagonal effort towards the far post, the ball finishing not far wide of the target. Fiorentino hit back with a fine move initiated by Ercolani, shifted quickly by Zafferani to Moretti, whose shot is well struck but hits the side-netting. The minutes tick by until, on 50 minutes, comes the decisive moment: Busignani isolates Chezzi down the left, beats his man and from a tight angle unleashes a thunderbolt that gives Michelotti’s side a priceless lead. It is the perfect way for Busignani to make amends for his earlier penalty miss and his 70th goal of the season could hardly have come on a better night. Folgore try to react and shortly afterwards have a good opportunity from a Bernardi free-kick, but Protti is again alert. The match heads into its closing stages. On 57 minutes, after a wonderful solo run, Ercolani has the chance to put the game to bed but is denied by the outside of the post. At the start of stoppage time Folgore also threaten, as Chezzi hammers a free-kick on goal but once more Protti beats it away. Spada then opts for the flying goalkeeper. In the second minute of added time a huge chance falls to Folgore’s own goalkeeper, who stays high after a throw-in; Bernardi spots him perfectly but, from inside the area, Geri fires over. Folgore keep pushing and soon win back a good ball; it reaches Bernardi – their standout performer – who drives at goal but again Protti is decisive and shuts the door. On the ensuing counter-attack Bernardi himself fouls Ercolani, Folgore are over the foul limit and so it is a double penalty for Fiorentino. Moretti makes no mistake, scores for 3-1 and the Rossoblu celebrations can begin. Before the grand final, there was also the third-place play-off. La Fiorita step onto the podium with a 4-2 victory over Tre Fiori. The scoring is opened on 5 minutes by Giacomo Bernardi for the Montegiardino side: assist from Jacopo Giuccioli and a tap-in from the middle of the area that slips between goalkeeper Bizzocchi’s legs. The second for Davide Ghiotti’s men arrives on 20 minutes: a set piece played to Andrea Franciosi, who strikes from distance; his shot surprises Bizzocchi, goes through him and makes it 2-0 to La Fiorita. At the start of the second half, though, Tre Fiori produce a strong reaction, pulling one back early on through Michael Simoncini, who shoots from the flank and finds a way through Marchetti’s legs. A few minutes later, on 41 minutes, comes the equaliser for Alex Bugli’s team: Simoncini plays the ball across and Lorenzo Cecchini turns it in from close range. La Fiorita hit back and on 46 minutes nose in front again: Giuccioli first strikes the post but, as the move continues, his diagonal effort this time finds the net for 3-2. The goal that definitively seals the contest arrives on 49 minutes: from the free-kick won by Giuccioli – the outstanding player on the night – Fabio Belloni steps up, beats the goalkeeper and makes it 4-2.

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San Marino Futsal Championship 2022-23, Play-off Final | Fiorentino - Folgore 3-1 FIORENTINO Protti, Maiani, Moretti, A. Ercolani, Busignani Substitutes: Bollini, Gasperoni, Ceccoli, Rossini, Zafferani, Carlini, Giacobbi, Serra, Cevoli Coach: Matteo Michelotti FOLGORE Geri, Pasqualini, De Angelis, Bernardi, Pellegrini Substitutes: Stefanelli, Pelliccioni, Giardi, Chezzi, Iuliani, M. Ercolani, Allasia   Referee 1: Raffaele Delvecchio Referee 2: Nicolò Lerza Referee 3: Cristian Tonelli Booked: A. Ercolani, Busignani, Geri, Pellegrini Scorers: 2' Bernardi, 23', 60'+3 Moretti, 50' Busignani  

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