Futsal, dream national side: 1-1 with Israel in opening match

The clash between Israel and San Marino opens the programme of Group B in the Preliminary Round of Qualifying for Futsal EURO 2026. Four years ago, in the previous edition of the continental tournament, the Biancazzurri made it through the group stage before bowing out in the two-legged play-off against Denmark. They did so at the expense of Bulgaria, whom they meet again this year in Eisenstadt. The Austrian debut presents, on paper, the toughest assignment for the Titans, with Israel the highest-ranked side in the group. Yet on the pitch, it is an even contest. In fact, San Marino look the more convincing team in both halves of the court. The first chances fall to Maiani. The Fiorentino winger first gets in to challenge Khrypunov, who had been tested by Busignani; then – picked out by his captain – he brings down a difficult ball but has to surrender to the reflexes of the opposing goalkeeper. Israel fail to take advantage of a disputed free-kick, later calling Protti into action through Adani. More dangerous is the move involving the pivot on 12 minutes, when a passing move with Protti out wide opens up a shooting chance that is promptly blocked. San Marino go close to taking the lead from a set play: the routine devised by Busignani is meant to find Ercolani, who fails to connect cleanly with only Piven guarding the goal. On 18 minutes Franciosi produces a superb intervention, stepping in to win the ball and launch the counter before threading it to the far post, where Busignani slides in but arrives a fraction too late. The deadlock looks set to be broken seconds before the interval, when Israel – from a corner – hit the post after a blatant handball in attack. In the continuation of the move, however, they commit their sixth foul, giving San Marino a 10-metre free-kick. Moretti steps up to the spot, wearing a conspicuous head bandage after a rugged challenge, but opens up his foot too much and sends the ball wide. In the closing moments Busignani and Pasqualini also try their luck, but it is above all Moretti – after winning the ball high up the court – who forces Khrypunov into the most important save of a half that ends goalless. That status quo is broken two minutes into the second half. Credit goes to captain Busignani, who exchanges passes with Pasqualini from a kick-in before unleashing a right-footed rocket of extraordinary power and precision that almost rips the net. Earlier, the same Busignani had fired over at the end of a two-on-one break created by Pasqualini’s successful pressing. With this goal, Danilo Busignani has now scored in three consecutive European qualifying groups. It is a deserved lead, which San Marino protect in the 24th minute thanks to a fine reflex save by Protti from a Tamir Shkolnik effort. The San Marino keeper repeats the feat shortly afterwards to deny Piven. The winger is Israel’s most dangerous man, beating Ercolani cleanly on 28 minutes before once again being thwarted by an outstanding Protti. At the start of the following minute, San Marino squander a glorious chance to double their advantage through Zafferani, who scuffs the ball from just a few metres out. The Titans are immediately punished for the miss, conceding Israel’s equaliser with the clock showing 29:02. It comes from a fine piece of wing play by Bar-El, who skips past Maiani; Protti gets something on the left-footed diagonal but cannot prevent the tap-in finish from Adani, who fires in from close range. The match is now played on a knife edge of nerves and tension, with every ball on the court red hot. The final five minutes begin with Diedunov’s stunning strike against the post, after he is freed by an effective Israel corner routine. The Titans now struggle to keep possession, with fatigue setting in, and the opponents are able to sustain their pressure more consistently. Protti is called into action again on 37 minutes, when Tamir Shkolnik’s thunderbolt looks destined for the top corner. At the other end, San Marino have a chance to regain the lead through Moretti, sent clean through by Pasqualini: Khrypunov produces a spectacular spread save to preserve the draw with 90 seconds remaining. Coming out of their time-out with a minute to play, Israel opt for the flying goalkeeper. It is once again Piven who threatens, his powerful diagonal drive shaving the upright. That proves to be the last flash of drama in a contest that, for San Marino, marks a return to a positive result, something that had been missing since qualifying for Futsal EURO 2022.

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Futsal EURO 2026, Preliminary Round – Matchday 1 | Israel-San Marino 1-1 ISRAEL Khrypunov, Diedunov, Bar-El, I. Shkolnik, T. Shkolnik Substitutes: Moiseev, Mutas, Gnieslaw, Piven, Taha, Harambam, Adani, Cohen, Noyman Head coach: Avi Kalif   SAN MARINO Protti, Pasqualini, Busignani, Moretti, Ercolani Substitutes: Pazzini, Geri, Maiani, Franciosi, Mattioli, Zafferani, Ceccoli, Belloni, Toccaceli Head coach: Roberto Osimani   First referee: Admir Zahovič (SNV) Second referee: Darko Boskovic (SUI) Third referee: Mislav Džeko (CRO) Timekeeper: Daniel Stauber (AUT) Scorers: 22:07 Busignani, 29:02 Adani Booked: Moretti, Adani Note: on 18 minutes Moretti missed a 10-metre free-kick

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