Futsal, no surprises in the semi-finals: the top four from the regular season still in the hunt

The league play-offs have confirmed the balance of power shown over the regular season: only the top four sides in the standings remain in contention for the San Marino futsal title. No slip-ups for Fiorentino, who handed another 5-1 defeat to Libertas – bringing to an end a season that was more than positive for the Granata. It was Penserini’s team who broke the deadlock through Francesco Rossi on 3 minutes, before a brace from Maiani put Fiorentino in front. The Rossoblù struck again midway through the second half via Busignani – who later hit the post from the spot with the chance to make it four. No great harm done for the defending champions, who padded the scoreline in the final five minutes thanks to clinical finishes from Stacchini and Serra. A derby now awaits, as Tre Fiori also confirmed their superiority in the second leg against Juvenes-Dogana. The 3-0 win in the first leg was more than just a strong indication and the Gialloblù defended that advantage through a goalless first half. The restart was lit up by a goal from Baldelli, but for the Serravalle club it would prove to be a flash in the pan. Strikes from Esposito, Toccaceli and Andreani in the final quarter of the match brought the curtain down on Juvenes-Dogana’s run, who bid farewell to the season with a brace from Baldelli – on target again on 60 minutes to make it 3-2. A superb Massimiliano Bernardi dragged Folgore through the second leg against Virtus. After the 4-4 draw in the first leg, the tie promised to be balanced and entertaining, and that was exactly how it played out on the pitch. Chezzi opened the scoring, followed by a seemingly decisive second from captain Bernardi; however the 2-0 advantage lasted just a minute, thanks to a strike from Aruci – up to this point the top scorer in the post-season with 6 goals. Midway through the second half Folgore pulled away again through the inevitable Bernardi, but Antonelli gave Virtus ten minutes of hope with a fine finish to make it 3-2. Unfortunately for the Neroverdi, Bernardi was in irresistible form and the move that completed his hat-trick – on 55 minutes – effectively settled the match and the question of qualification. The San Marino runners-up will face Murata, who successfully came through the La Fiorita test. Having won the first leg 3-1 and boasting the better regular-season record, the Bianconeri were able to dictate the tempo. Gianni Galli’s men needed to win by three clear goals, but after taking the lead late in the first half through Cappelli, the Gialloblù were hit by a couple of red cards that shattered their hopes. Cappelli was dismissed on 37 minutes, followed five minutes later by Bernardi, leaving the pitch early. Murata did not make the most of the ensuing four minutes of numerical superiority, keeping their blow for the closing stages, when De Angelis struck to seal a 1-1 draw that was enough to book a semi-final place against Folgore. The first legs will already be played on Monday, with the returns scheduled for 30 May. Both semi-finals will be played on the artificial pitch in Fiorentino: Murata and Tre Fiori are obliged to win at least one of the two matches. A perfectly level aggregate score over the two legs would send Fiorentino and Folgore through to yet another showdown with silverware on the line.

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