Futsal: Virtus and Murata target breakaway, Tre Penne chasing a fourth straight win

With Matchday 8 in the books, the San Marino Futsal Championship is straight back in action tomorrow evening with the ninth round of fixtures. After Monday’s draws, which left the gap at the top unchanged, leaders Virtus and closest challengers Murata are both looking to pull clear of the chasing pack. Virtus, still unbeaten, are two points ahead of the Bianconeri and will take to the court in Dogana tomorrow (20:15) against Juvenes-Dogana. Michelotti’s side, however, will have to beware of Cellarosi’s men, who are in good form: they sat out the last round but come into this one on the back of two consecutive wins. The reigning champions Murata, meanwhile, will be in Domagnano at 21:45 to face Faetano. Spada’s Bianconeri, also unbeaten in the league, start as favourites, but Faetano – coached by Selva – have picked up two wins (one of them on Monday evening) in their last four outings. Just behind the leading pair, Tre Penne are determined not to lose ground: as things stand, Penserini’s Biancazzurri are the form side in the league, with three wins on the spin and only three points off top spot. Next up for the City-based club is San Giovanni (Domagnano, 20:15), who are in the midst of a deep crisis: the Rossoneri are bottom of the table and come into the game on a run of six straight defeats.

La Fiorita will be out to hold on to fourth place when they take to the court tomorrow (20:15) in Dogana against Folgore. Pietrangeli’s Gialloblù are fresh from an excellent draw which halted the leaders Virtus, while the Falciano side earned a precious win over Libertas that lifted them up the standings. The Giallorossoneri are level on points with Domagnano, who need to bounce back after Monday’s defeat to Tre Penne. Gasperoni’s Wolves will try to do just that tomorrow evening against Cosmos (Fiorentino, 20:15). It is a difficult spell for the Gialloverdi, with just one win in their last five. The moment is not particularly positive for either Fiorentino or Libertas either: the two sides meet tomorrow in Fiorentino (21:45) both seeking redemption. Fiorentino have lost three in a row, while Libertas have suffered four consecutive defeats – although they are still four points better off in the table. An evenly balanced contest is also expected on the Acquaviva court between Tre Fiori and Cailungo (kick-off 22:00). The Gialloblu come into the game off the back of their first win of the season, achieved against San Giovanni, while the Rossoverdi, two points ahead in the standings, have not won for a month (20 October, 3-1 against San Giovanni). Pennarossa will, finally, sit out this round of fixtures.

Here is the full programme for Matchday 9 of the San Marino Futsal Championship: