Futsal: Virtus reclaim fourth place, five-star Pennarossa

The most eagerly awaited clash of the 25th matchday of the Sammarinese Futsal Championship was Pennarossa-Tre Penne. The league’s second- and fourth-placed sides met on the Fiorentino artificial pitch, where the Biancorossi underlined the technical gap that currently separates the top three from the chasing pack. Braces from Toccaceli and Oddone, after Verri’s early opener, allowed Novembrini’s side to defeat Tre Penne 5-1. For the Biancazzurri, the consolation goal was scored by Ercolani right at the death.

Virtus, one point behind Tre Penne before yesterday’s matches, did not let slip the chance to climb back into fourth place. The Neroverdi almost hit double figures, overwhelming Faetano 9-3. It was actually the Gialloblù who broke the deadlock through El Attar on 20 minutes, but Michelotti’s men produced a fierce reaction and went into half-time 6-2 ahead. A brace from Biordi, along with goals by Pasqualini, Di Maio, Stolfi and Pazzaglia, created a sizeable gap in the score, with Caruso partially reducing the deficit. After the break the Acquaviva side further padded the scoreline, with Morganti and – again – Pasqualini and Stolfi all getting on the scoresheet. El Attar also completed his brace for Faetano.

The tightest contest was the one between Juvenes-Dogana and San Giovanni, where the Rossoneri claimed a precious win which – helped by Faetano’s defeat and Cailungo’s rest day – keeps alive Franchino’s team’s hopes of reaching the postseason. It remains a very difficult task, but San Giovanni at least showed they are ready to seize any opportunities that come their way. The deadlock was not broken for two thirds of the match, with Juvenes-Dogana also missing a penalty through Mularoni. Serravalle’s side did eventually take the lead on 41 minutes thanks to Cavalli. But late on came the turnaround: Volpinari levelled with five minutes remaining, and in the 59th minute Severi struck the winner. The victory was not further embellished by Francioni, who failed to convert a 10-metre free-kick at 60+2’. San Giovanni are now six points behind Cailungo, currently occupying the last available playoff spot.

There were also big wins for Domagnano and Tre Fiori. The Gialloblù, who have recently been alternating defeats and victories, beat Folgore 5-1 in Domagnano. Esposito’s brace set Pollini’s men on their way to three points, while Casali’s goal at the start of the second half briefly raised Falciano’s hopes. Zanotti replied immediately to restore the two-goal cushion, which eventually swelled to a five-goal tally by the final whistle. Credit goes to Tamagnini and Maiani, who also found their way onto the scoresheet. In the disciplinary column, there is a note of the two yellow cards shown to Romano on 54 minutes. The operation to catch Juvenes-Dogana in ninth place is complete, with Serravalle’s side having now suffered four defeats in their last five outings.

The round of early fixtures was completed by Libertas-Domagnano. As expected, the Lupi prevailed against the bottom side, snapping a run of two defeats. By half-time Gasperoni’s men had already effectively settled the contest, changing ends with a 4-1 lead. Tamagnini’s goal for Libertas briefly made it 2-1 after strikes from Filippo Dolcini and Bollini, before captain Menghi’s brace completed the first-half scoresheet. After the restart Tonini’s early goal gave the Granata fresh hope, but they were then forced to pick the ball out of their net three more times, as three different players found the target. Davide Dolcini, Bonfini and Villa all scored to seal the 7-2 final scoreline.

This evening brings the first of two indoor late fixtures: at the Multieventi the league leaders Murata face Cosmos, eager to test themselves against the top side at a time of good overall form. Tomorrow it will be the turn of La Fiorita-Fiorentino, scheduled on the court of the Acquaviva sports hall. Both matches will kick off at 21:45.