Futsal, the cup play-offs are back: quarter-finals tomorrow

After a two-year enforced break due to the pandemic, the final stages of the Titano Futsal Cup are back. The clubs had last met in December 2021 – except for the rescheduled match on 7 March 2022 between San Giovanni and Cailungo, which had no impact on the standings – with the first round then frozen a few months later, due to the difficulty of fitting the return fixtures into an already packed schedule and following the break imposed by a spike in infections. At that time, the two groups were led by Folgore on one side and Juvenes-Dogana on the other. While the Giallorossoneri – who had put together a perfect run of six wins in six games – boasted a sizeable lead over the second-placed side, the Biancorossoazzurri finished level on points with Fiorentino and Virtus, claiming top spot thanks to a better number of goals scored in the head-to-head clashes. As a result, the two Serravalle clubs will, under the regulations, enter the play-offs directly from the semi-finals, scheduled for next Monday. Tomorrow, instead, will be quarter-final night, with the third-placed sides facing the runners-up. Holders Fiorentino, who finished the group stage behind Juvenes-Dogana, will take on Domagnano, third in Group A. The two teams meet again exactly seven days after their last encounter: on that occasion the match was played in Acquaviva and there was nothing tangible at stake, as both had already secured their positions in Championship Group A. Fiorentino won, thereby levelling the seasonal head-to-head record. Tomorrow, there will be far more on the line and no second chances. The winners will face Folgore in the semi-finals, another group "companion" from the league campaign and, in the case of the Wolves, also from the cup run. Fiorentino are chasing their second Titano Futsal Cup, Domagnano their first. The other quarter-final, which will open the evening in Fiorentino, pits Virtus – third in Group B – against Tre Fiori, who finished the regular season as runners-up behind the dominant Folgore. Here too, the most recent meeting this season was exactly seven days ago. On that occasion Virtus won, effectively securing – and making history in the process – their place in the league play-offs, which was then definitively and officially celebrated the following Monday. Waiting for the outcome of this clash are Juvenes-Dogana. Virtus already lifted this trophy in 2009, in its third edition, and are aiming for a second triumph, while Tre Fiori have their sights set on drawing level with San Giovanni at the top of the tournament’s roll of honour: at present the Rossoneri lead with four titles to the Gialloblù’s three. Here is the quarter-final line-up for the Titano Futsal Cup:

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