Futsal: Pennarossa through with a scare, Murata, Tre Penne and Virtus also into the semi-finals

Few surprises after the second legs of the quarter-finals in the San Marino Futsal Championship playoffs. In last night’s games, Pennarossa went through with a late scare, knocking out La Fiorita. With the first-leg win in the bag, the Biancorossi only needed to avoid defeat against the Gialloblù to reach the next round. The match in Domagnano was unlocked at the start of the second half by Oddone, putting the Chiesanuova club in front, before Pellegrini hit back to restore parity. The finale, however, had everything. A flurry of fouls and bookings saw both sides reach the foul bonus. Pennarossa were the first to pay the price, having to concede two very costly 10-metre penalties in terms of qualification: Pellegrini and Giuccioli both had the chance to turn the tie around but on each occasion failed to convert. Oddone then followed suit, missing a 10-metre for the Biancorossi as well. The match finished 1-1, sending Pennarossa through to the semi-finals.

Novembrini’s side will now face Virtus. There were no problems for the Neroverdi in the second leg against Domagnano; after their narrow win in the first leg, they also won the return fixture last night. In Fiorentino it was Michelotti’s team who broke the deadlock before the interval through Belloni, who then doubled the lead after the restart. The Acquaviva club took full control and widened the gap thanks to Mularoni and Stolfi. Domagnano’s reaction came late, with a brace from Sensoli merely softening the defeat for the Wolves. The last word belonged to Cevoli, who a few minutes from time sealed a 5-2 victory.

It was straightforward as well for reigning champions Murata. Already with one foot in the semi-finals after the 6-0 home win, the Bianconeri also won the return leg and knocked out Libertas. The match in Fiorentino was nonetheless entertaining and full of goals. Libertas struck first through Selva, but Spada’s side responded with finishes from Busignani (top scorer with 42 goals) and Mattioli. Before the break, Selva again made his presence felt, levelling at 2-2. In the second half Murata once more pulled ahead through Dominella, Zanotti and Aruci, but Libertas refused to lie down and with Giardi and another from Selva (completing his hat-trick) they attempted the remuntada. The champions held firm and won 5-4. Joining Murata in the semi-finals will be Tre Penne. The side from Città lost 2-1 to Folgore, but the Falciano club could not overturn the 3-0 defeat from the first leg. It was a “crazy” match in Domagnano, especially in terms of the scorers. In an extremely rare occurrence, all three goals came from own goals. The first arrived in the fourth minute, with Sabatino putting Falciano ahead. The Giallorossoneri doubled their advantage in the second half (36’) through an own goal by Nicholas Cola. Zonzini’s team then needed two more goals to reach the semi-finals, but yet another own goal on the night – by Rocco Mularoni – extinguished Folgore’s hopes. In stoppage time the Falciano club had a further chance to reopen it, but Ercolani’s miss from the 10-metre mark confirmed the final score of 2-1.

Here is the full picture of the quarter-finals of the San Marino Futsal Championship: