Futsal: Murata and Virtus make strong starts in first-leg semi-finals

Murata and Virtus get off on the right foot. The Black and Whites and the Green and Blacks claim victory in the first legs of the Campionato Sammarinese futsal semi-finals played last night, bringing the grand final on 3 June closer into view. Also present at the Multieventi yesterday for the two clashes were two Maltese referees, involved in the usual exchange programme with other European federations: Sara Kankaras joined Tonelli and Zani for Murata-Tre Penne, while Andrea Naudi was appointed – together with Ilie and Penni – for the later Pennarossa-Virtus tie. First onto the pitch was Murata, who laid down a marker with a clear 6-1 win over Tre Penne. The reigning champions showcased their quality already in the first half thanks to goals from Moretti and a brace from Busignani, plus a strike from goalkeeper Protti. Tre Penne’s only goal of the night arrived on 27 minutes when Bernardi capitalised on a defensive error by the Black and Whites, scoring from the halfway line into an empty net. The sides went in at the break with Murata 4-1 up. Spada’s men kept their foot on the accelerator and struck twice more early in the second half through another goal from Moretti (making it a brace) and Busignani completing his hat-trick (taking the league top scorer to 45 goals). The Black and Whites showed no signs of easing off and in the following minutes hit the woodwork three times, as well as being denied by a goal-line clearance from Sabatino. It finished 6-1 to Murata, who now head into the second leg – scheduled for tomorrow at 21:45, again at the Multieventi – with a commanding advantage. To reach the final, Tre Penne will need to win by at least six goals.

Far more hard-fought was the second semi-final – also staged at the Multieventi – between Pennarossa and Virtus. The first half was evenly balanced, with the Green and Blacks coming very close to breaking the deadlock on 18 minutes, but Timpani was decisive with a goal-line clearance. Michelotti’s side did, however, go in front shortly afterwards: Zafferani whipped in a cross towards Cevoli and a clear deflection off Gasperoni resulted in an own goal and the Green and Blacks’ opener. Despite being without Verri and Maiani, Pennarossa hit back through Angelini, who levelled matters on 28 minutes. After the restart, just over a minute in, Cevoli put the Acquaviva side back ahead. Pasqualini’s strike against the crossbar was the prelude to Virtus’ 3-1, which arrived on 45 minutes courtesy of Morini. Novembrini’s team tried to get themselves back into it and came extremely close when Ceccoli fired from point-blank range – after Geri had denied Angelini – but this time it was Cevoli who cleared off the line. The match ended 3-1 to Virtus: Michelotti and his players now have two results out of three in their favour to clinch a place in the final. The second leg will be played tomorrow evening at the Multieventi (kick-off at 20:00), with Pennarossa needing a mandatory three-goal win if they are to return to the final as they did last year.

Below is the picture from the first legs of the Campionato Sammarinese futsal semi-finals: