League: Ambrosini decides the playoff final, La Fiorita finish 2nd

At the San Marino Stadium it was the penultimate match of the Sammarinese football season, which – as far as the league is concerned – had already produced all its verdicts even before today, a day devoted to the playoff finals. Already after the second legs of the semi‑finals, both La Fiorita and Tre Fiori were sure of qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League, helped by Tre Fiori’s simultaneous progress to the Coppa Titano final against a side destined for the UEFA Champions League (Virtus, champions of San Marino).

After the opening minutes of sparring, La Fiorita light up the contest through Alex Ambrosini – perfect with his header on 10 minutes, which leaves Nardi with no chance and crowns Affonso’s individual move, finished off with the assist for his strike partner. At the other end the equaliser falls to Pesaresi, who fails to direct his close‑range header on target. Around the half‑hour Ceci’s men threaten again, freeing Riccardi to shoot; his effort takes a deflection but does not trouble Nardi. The subsequent initiative by the other full‑back, Gasperoni, results in a shot‑cross which the Tre Fiori goalkeeper turns away to the side. More anxiety for Nardi on 34 minutes, as Cicarelli’s free kick flashes right across goal and drops just wide. The Fiorentino club show again before the break with Bernardi’s left‑footer from twenty metres – well read by Zavoli.

At the start of the second half there is no spark from Tre Fiori; on the contrary, La Fiorita push to put the game to bed. Toccaceli fires over from medium range, while on 52 minutes Manfroni is decisive with a block at the far post. From the resulting corner Nardi has to get down low to smother a header, before merely watching Gasperoni’s diagonal effort drift wide – all within just three minutes. Nothing, however, compared with Nardi’s stunning save on 58 minutes from Zafferani’s point‑blank header, after an inch‑perfect cross from Affonso on the edge of the six‑yard box. At the other end, Benedettini breaks up a move on the edge of the final third and unleashes a left‑footer from the edge of the area that finishes just wide. A minute later the midfielder feeds the onrushing Manfroni, but the winger’s right‑footed effort hits the wrong side of the net. La Fiorita respond to Tre Fiori’s attempts with a through ball from Mazzotti for Massari, who times his run well to get in behind Tomassini but fails to hit the target. It then takes Nardi’s excellent positioning to deny Affonso a second, the Brazilian coming within a whisker of scoring on 76 minutes. As normal time draws to a close, Tre Fiori protest for a potential handball in the area, but Beltrano – well placed – sees no infringement. In the three minutes of added time allowed by the referee, no further clear‑cut chances are created. The Campionato Sammarinese playoff final thus confirms the balance of power seen in the regular season: La Fiorita second, Tre Fiori completing the podium. 

In the afternoon, Cosmos got the better of San Giovanni thanks to a superb display from Imre Badalassi, who hit a hat‑trick in the 4-2 overall scoreline. The Rossoneri had taken the lead through Ghiggini, before cancelling out the Gialloverdi comeback with Zanni. In the closing minutes the inevitable Badalassi and Rinaldi rounded off the scoring, sealing a win that secures fourth place for Cosmos. 

Campionato Sammarinese 2024-25, Playoff Final | La Fiorita-Tre Fiori 1-0

LA FIORITA (3-5-2)

Zavoli; Mazzotti, Brighi, Santi (23’ Zafferani); Gasperoni, Toccaceli (64’ Semprini), Cicarelli (85’ Leka), Zaccaria, Riccardi; Ambrosini (64’ Massari), Affonso (85’ Zazas Sanchez)

Substitutes: Vivan, Rossini, Vitaioli, Olcese

Coach: Stefano Ceci

TRE FIORI (4-2-3-1)

Nardi; Tomassini, Rea, Pesaresi (57’ Sami), Pini (57’ Guerra); Dolcini, Braschi (57’ Censoni); Manfroni, Benedettini (85’ Djadji), Sensoli (85’ Errichiello); Bernardi

Substitutes: Castagnoli, Ciccione, Domeniconi, Terenzi

Coach: Danilo Girolomoni

Referee: Michele Beltrano

Assistants: Ernesto Cristiano, Alessandro Salvatori

Fourth official: Luca Zani

Scorer: 10’ Ambrosini

Booked: Tomassini, Affonso, Zafferani, Mazzotti, Gasperoni, Sami, Rea

Attendance: 222