League play-offs: Tre Fiori and La Fiorita celebrate Europe regardless of the final

San Giovanni needed something special at Dogana to overturn the narrow first-leg defeat to Tre Fiori, who this evening could also afford to lose by a single goal thanks to their better position in the regular season. In fact, the clash in Dogana was the pivotal tie of these play-offs, since a Tre Fiori win through to the play-off final would have stripped Saturday’s match of any real meaning: in that scenario, both Girolomoni’s side and the other finalist would have been able to celebrate qualification for the next UEFA Conference League. The reason lies in the fact that the Gialloblù have also reached the Titano Cup final against Virtus, who are already assured of a place in the Champions League thanks to their victory in the Campionato Sammarinese. Regardless of the outcome of the 24 May showdown at San Marino Stadium, then, the third-placed team in the league would also have secured European qualification. And that is exactly how it turned out.

At the Ezio Conti in Dogana it is Tre Fiori who start the brighter, going close on 12 minutes through Pini, whose right-footed volley from close range fails to hit the target. San Giovanni grow into the match around the half-hour mark, trying to threaten down the Aprea–Augusto Garcia Rufer axis: the latter fires a low angled drive from the heart of the box that Nardi blocks on the ground. After the restart it is Tognacci’s men who create first, with Stefano Sartini’s header from a corner scrambled away by the Tre Fiori backline. At the other end Benedettini is beaten to the ball by Starna coming out low. Time begins to run out for San Giovanni’s comeback, and in the 65th minute they cannot capitalise on a pinball situation in the box triggered by Michelucci’s left foot. The match opens up shortly afterwards, just as in the first leg, seconds after the introduction of Nicko Sensoli: the San Marino international breaks the deadlock only moments after coming on, beating Starna with a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the area after an immaculate first touch. A minute later San Giovanni find the equaliser through Michelucci, who produces an acrobatic finish to settle a scramble in the Tre Fiori area. The Rossoneri try to build momentum and free up Nicola Sartini to shoot from 20 metres, but although the forward’s right-footed effort is powerful it drifts wide of the far post. In a frantic finale of San Giovanni attacks, Tre Fiori never really come under threat and see out the draw that seals their return to Europe.

In the other semi-final, played simultaneously in Montecchio, La Fiorita come flying out of the blocks and go close twice to taking the lead inside the opening two hundred seconds. First Massari is unable to steer Gasperoni’s cross towards goal, then the assistant’s flag spares Beninati from a sensational own goal on Riccardi’s delivery. The ball had in fact completely crossed the touchline before the San Marino full-back connected with it. Cosmos’ reply comes through Badalassi, who powers a header from Pastorelli’s corner and forces Vivan into an outstanding save. At the other end Affonso appeals for a penalty after a challenge by Beninati, which is deemed fair. In the 38th minute Massari has no such excuses as he wastes a splendid move involving Riccardi and Olcese, shooting tamely and centrally from close range and allowing Semprini an easy save. Almost twenty minutes pass after the interval without a real chance, before a mix-up between Mazzotti and Vivan invites pressure from Ben Kacem, who squares into the middle only for Zazas Sanchez to clear the danger. In response, La Fiorita have the chance to land the knockout blow on 75 minutes through Affonso, who breaks the line in an onside position behind Grandoni but drags his angled drive wide from a promising position. Tension rises in the closing stages as Cosmos throw everything forward: attempts in quick succession by Grandoni and Errico are both blocked by Gialloblù defenders. At the other end Mularoni produces a superb intervention, getting in the way of Ambrosini’s left-footed angled effort from the centre of the area at the culmination of a counter-attack orchestrated by Cicarelli and Zaccaria. Then, on 89 minutes, Vivan is monumental in keeping out Grandoni’s angled strike, created by a brilliant piece of play from the big former Cosmos man, Danilo Rinaldi. La Fiorita’s goalkeeper would likely have had no chance, however, with Pastorelli’s left-footed effort from point-blank range, after he was picked out at the far post by a powerful ball from Ben Kacem. In the lengthy added time there is another opportunity for Ambrosini, who attempts a difficult lob over Alessandro Semprini from a tight angle. La Fiorita do not end up ruing his decision-making because Andruccioli spots a foul on Vivan, perhaps clipped by Badalassi as he came out. The loose ball had been tucked away by Pastorelli, who saw his finish ruled out. A final scare for Ceci’s side, who can nevertheless celebrate a second consecutive 0-0 draw with Cosmos – a result that takes them into the play-off final and, above all, guarantees their place in the next UEFA Conference League.

Here is the full schedule for the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Campionato Sammarinese play-offs, all available free live and on demand on Titani.tv: