Futsal Week: Osimani’s Titans defeated despite scoring in both matches

Two goals – one in each match – are not enough to prevent defeats against Montenegro and Zambia for the San Marino futsal National Team, who have spent this week in Poreč (Croatia) competing in the Futsal Week September Cup. The first test for Roberto Osimani’s Titans came last Friday against Montenegro. The deadlock was broken after just a few minutes by the Balkan side, who struck in the 3rd minute through Vukcevic, on the end of a long throw from captain Corovic and finishing first time past Protti for the opener. The second goal arrived right at the start of the second half: Kostic won the ball in his own half, accelerated into space and fired a powerful, precise diagonal shot that beat Protti for 2-0. In the 34th minute came San Marino’s reaction: Belloni picked out the run of Luca Zafferani and tried to serve him, but Montenegrin goalkeeper Sekulic brought down the Fiorentino player in the area: penalty to San Marino. Andrea Ercolani stepped up to the spot and, after scoring in the Futsal Champions League last month with Fiorentino, was clinical again on this occasion, converting to pull one back for 1-2. The Titans pushed, but the team foul bonus worked against them and, late on, Montenegro were awarded a 10-metre free-kick that could have killed the game; Protti, however, denied Puletic and kept the scoreline at 2-1 with just over three minutes left. San Marino could not find the decisive spark and Montenegro ultimately edged it by a single goal, 2-1. In the second match, played this afternoon, Osimani’s Titans succumbed to Zambia but had taken the lead in the first half through Andrea Ceccoli, quickest to react after Ercolani’s penalty was saved. The equaliser came right at the end of the half (18') through Chinyama, who made the most of a throw-in from the right and finished from close range past Pazzini. Zambia went in front in the final minute of the first period with Phiri, after a fine piece of play by Chinyama. The Africans’ third goal came in the second half, with Mwila driving down the right, skipping past Zafferani and squaring for Banda, who made no mistake from two yards. Zambia’s fourth, which put the contest to bed, arrived on 30 minutes with a powerful, accurate diagonal strike from Kaampwe that left Pazzini no chance. With this 4-1 victory, Zambia also clinched the tournament.  

---

Futsal Week September Cup 2023 | San Marino – Montenegro 1-2 SAN MARINO Protti, Pasqualini, Maiani, Zafferani, Ercolani. Substitutes: Bizzocchi, Pazzini, Cavalli, Belloni, Franciosi, Cecchini, Ceccoli, Mularoni, Barbano Head coach: Roberto Osimani MONTENEGRO Djurkovic, Delic, Vukcevic, Puletic, Corovic. Substitutes: Sekulic, Calasan, Koprivica, Bulatovic, Kostic, Tafic, Vidakovic, Milicic, Davidovic Head coach: Sveto Ljesar   Referee 1: Alen Bozic Referee 2: Mark Kucic Timekeeper: Dragan Župan Booked: Franciosi, Ercolani Scorers: 3' Vukcevic, 21' Davidovic, 34' Ercolani  

---

Futsal Week September Cup 2023 | Zambia – San Marino 4-1 ZAMBIA Chitungu, Chileshe, Phiri, Simwami, Chinyama Substitutes: Mulolo, Kaampwe, Lungu, Mwila, Chama, Banda, Mwamba, Nyirenda, Ndhlovu Head coach: Andrea Cristoforeti SAN MARINO Pazzini, Maiani, Franciosi, Zafferani, Ercolani Substitutes: Protti, Bizzocchi, Cavalli, Belloni, Cecchini, Ceccoli, Mularoni, Barbano, Pasqualini, Bizzocchi Head coach: Roberto Osimani   Referee 1: Mark Kucic Referee 2: Alen Bozic Timekeeper: Dragan Župan Booked: Lungu, Phiri Scorers: 5' Ceccoli, 18' Chinyama, 20' Phiri, 26' Banda, 30' Kaampwe

---