Futsal Week: Moretti and Ercolani secure second place for San Marino

A performance, spread over four days of international competition, to remember for a long time for San Marino’s Futsal National Team and for Sammarinese sport in general. After suffering their first and only defeat against Denmark, Osimani’s men immediately bounced back in their final outing of the Futsal Week – February Cup. Their opponents yesterday in Labin were Greenland. The Titano side need just 20 seconds to break the deadlock. Moretti wins the ball on the right flank and drives straight at goal, beating Moller-Lund with a powerful diagonal finish. The opposition goalkeeper is then the one who restores parity, exploiting the space in front of him to carry the ball over halfway and unleash a powerful, angled left-footed shot past his San Marino counterpart, Jacopo Pazzini. For Osimani, no possibility of counting on Protti and Belloni against Greenland, both carrying knocks. ©FutsalWeek | the players at Osimani’s disposal for the match with Greenland The sides go into the break level, but right at the start of the second half San Marino find a quickfire double that all but secures their second win in just over 72 hours. Ercolani makes the most of a perfect assist from Moretti and slots past Moller-Lund in a one-on-one as the clock ticks into the 23rd minute. Less than a minute later it is Geri – between the Sammarinese posts for the second half – who triggers the all-rounder in light blue and white. Ercolani’s first touch is excellent; he does well and has a bit of luck to hold off Abelsen in the physical challenge before the ball breaks back to his feet. The delicate finish that leaves Moller-Lund helpless is of the highest quality and puts San Marino 3-1 up. The Titano side protect their two-goal cushion without fuss, at least until the final two minutes, when one of the very few errors by Busignani allows Reimer – who comes out on top in the ensuing rebound – to beat Geri. With 110" of playing time left on the clock and the fly goalkeeper on court for some time, Greenland try to make the most of the momentum. San Marino tighten up again, though, and after a huge scare six seconds from the buzzer, they finish strongly by repelling one last free-kick – struck with the clock showing 39'59". The set piece came from a late challenge by Pasqualini who, already booked, left the Labin court early. There, however, the Biancazzurri claimed their second win of the tournament, in which they collected 7 points from three matches. Switzerland and Malta – who will share the Preliminary Round of the 2026 Euros with San Marino next April – each managed one win from two games. There was individual recognition for Danilo Busignani, named top scorer of the Labin tournament. It was also an unforgettable experience for Laurentiu Ilie, making his first appearance as an international futsal referee and involved as third official in San Marino’s final outing in Croatia. San Marino were presented with the trophy for second place in the Futsal Week - February Cup. There is also news looking ahead to the upcoming European qualifiers for Roberto Osimani’s team: after an online meeting between the four federations involved, Austria was drawn by UEFA as the host country for the mini-tournament. The Titano side will also face Bulgaria and Israel – a genuine group of death. The final schedule and match dates will be announced shortly.

---

Futsal Week – February Cup | San Marino – Greenland 3-2 SAN MARINO Pazzini, Pasqualini, Busignani, Moretti, Ercolani Substitutes: Geri, Protti, Toccaceli, Franciosi, Cavalli, Zafferani, Ceccoli, Belloni, Mattioli, Bacciocchi Head coach: Roberto Osimani   GREENLAND Moller-Lund, Reimer, Frederiksen, Berthelsen, Davidsen Substitutes: Bajare, Andersen, Broberg, Thorleifsen, Petersen, Abelsen, Thyssen, Kreutzmann, Eriksen Head coach: Rene Olsen   Referee 1: Daniel Vigtogt Sorensen Referee 2: Marko Bošković Referee 3: Laurentiu Ilie Timekeeper: Dragan Župan Scorers: 0'20" Moretti, 5'50" Moller-Lund, 22'09", 23'02" Ercolani, 38'09" Reimer Booked: Pasqualini, Moretti, Moller-Lund, Reimer Sent off: Pasqualini (second yellow card)

---