League: Prandelli strikes late, strong starts for Folgore and Domagnano

Tre Fiori, Folgore and Domagnano get their league campaigns off to a flying start thanks to wins over Cosmos, Cailungo and Pennarossa respectively. In the three matches played today on the opening day of the 2025-26 Campionato Sammarinese – which will be completed tomorrow with the big clash Virtus-La Fiorita – there were clear wins for the sides coached by Lasagni and Amati, while Girolomoni has the ever-reliable Prandelli to thank for a late winner.

We begin with the Acquaviva encounter between Tre Fiori and Cosmos. The first chance falls to the Fiorentino side, with a shot from the edge of the box by Dolcini that is cleared off the line by new Cosmos defender Mercurio. The game is evenly balanced and, shortly before the break, it takes a double save from Nardi on Rinaldi to ensure it remains goalless at half-time.

The start of the second half, however, does not smile on Cosmos: Benedettini is stopped on the counter by Grieco, and for referee Klein the challenge is so harsh it warrants a straight red card. Selva’s team then has to deal with a second dismissal when new signing Luca Ceccaroli is shown a second yellow for a foul on Sami. Down to nine men, Cosmos dig in and have Semprini to thank when he denies substitute Mema to keep them level. In the 86th minute, though, Tre Fiori finally break through: Sami swings in a cross and Prandelli – last season’s top scorer – picks up where he left off, heading in against his former club. That proves enough for Tre Fiori to defeat Cosmos.

It was a far more straightforward win for Folgore over Cailungo. The Falciano club take the lead inside two minutes: a perfect corner routine sees Cateni provide the assist for Ura, who bags the first goal of the season. On the half-hour mark it is Ura who sets up the second, with a delightful run in behind to find Pancotti, who drills a left-footed effort across goal to make it 2-0. Lasagni’s side are in total control and add a third before the interval: new signing Augusto Garcia Rufer – set up by Sartori – produces a superb downward header, steering it right into the corner. After the break Lasagni’s men manage proceedings without any real trouble and run out 3-0 winners over Sarti’s Cailungo.

There is also a first win of the season for Domagnano under new head coach Manuel Amati, thanks to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Pennarossa. It takes just five minutes for Simone Santi – formerly of the Academy Under-22 and Cosmos – to score his first goal in Giallorossi colours: down the left flank, Simone Nanni picks out the San Marino forward, who drives in from the left channel and finishes clinically across goal with his right foot. Pennarossa respond in the 38th minute with a fine left-footed effort from Dulcetti, but Alessandro Maggioli produces an excellent save. The new Domagnano goalkeeper – who arrived in the summer – is crucial again on 43 minutes when he comes out bravely to block Pintore’s attempt.

After the restart Pennarossa push for an equaliser, but this time it is Filippo Valentini who preserves the lead, getting in the way of a powerful left-footer from Albini. Domagnano, though, are determined to put the result to bed and within two minutes (from the 70th to the 73rd) Amati and his men can celebrate. The match-winner is Babboni with a brace – first converting a cross from Bonetti, then finishing from an Amati assist. The Giallorossi are still not satisfied and Bonetti provides his second assist of the afternoon, this time for Tommaso Famiglietti – facing his former club – who unleashes a powerful right-footed strike from inside the box to wrap things up. Famiglietti’s goal seals a 4-0 win for Domagnano, with all four goals scored by San Marino players.

Tomorrow at 17:30, at the Ezio Conti Stadium in Dogana, the opening day of the Campionato Sammarinese concludes with the must-watch clash Virtus-La Fiorita, which will be streamed live on Titani.tv.

Here is the schedule and results from the first round of league fixtures after today’s matches: