Respect Cup 2022: red team triumphs in two days of celebration

In the 2022 edition as well, the Respect Cup was once again a colourful celebration. Four teams made up of a total of 60 girls and boys faced off in Montegiardino over two matchdays reserved for players born in 2010, those preparing to leave the Under-12 category and the grassroots sector to join the ranks of the San Marino Academy. The coaches usually involved in the Under-12 league were also part of the event, being distributed among the four teams taking part in the tournament alongside the coaches from the CEF Project. The DAY 1 – Tuesday 17 May curtain-raiser was the clash between the White team led by Bizzotto (CEF), Manzaroli (Serravalle Football Academy) and Nicolini (Scuola Calcio Serenissima), and the Blue team entrusted to the duo Sartori (Juvenes-Dogana) – Semprini (CEF). The goal-filled match went the way of the Blues, who prevailed 4-3 thanks to a brace from Ceccoli and goals from Marini and Lozzi, overcoming the three White goals scored by Mazza (brace) and Gozzi. The second game ended in a draw between the Red team of Valentini (Titano Academy) – Rizzo (CEF) and the White-Grey team of Giannini (Cailungo) – Di Spirito (CEF). Red took the lead through Michelotti and held it until the 24th minute, when Rossini struck to make it 1-1, which proved to be the final score. The third fixture pitted the White team against the Red team, with a 3-2 win for the Whites: they went two up through Mazza and Achilli before the Reds managed to wipe out the deficit with goals from Ceccoli and Testoni. Achilli’s second of the game ultimately tipped the balance in favour of the Whites. The first day of games concluded with the meeting between the White-Grey and Blue teams. The former won 3-2 thanks to goals from Montebelli, Simoncini and Rossini, which effectively cancelled out the Blue goals scored by Gasperoni and Mularoni. On the basis of the opening four matches, the overall standings were as follows: White-Grey in first place on four points, Blue and White joint second on 3, and Red fourth on 1. Friday was dedicated to the last two group matches, followed by the final and the third-place play-off. The White-Grey team confirmed their leadership by beating the White team 2-1; Mazza’s goal was not enough for the Whites, as the leaders scored through Rossini and Volpinari. The White-Grey side therefore advanced to the final to face the Red team, who achieved the only result that could overturn the table. They beat the Blue team 4-0, who succumbed to goals from Hazem, Testoni and a brace from Michelotti. The third-place play-off saw the Blues take on the Whites. Parity reigned right up until the final moments, when Mazza found the goal that sealed victory and a podium finish for the Whites. Up to that point the score had been 3-3, with goals from Marini and a brace from Ceccoli for the Blues, and from Gozzi and a brace from Achilli for the Whites. Then came the grand final, which brought a clear victory for the Reds thanks to goals from Hazem and Scanni and another brace from Michelotti, while the White-Grey team at least had the satisfaction of a consolation goal from the penalty spot, converted by Rossini. Victory for the Reds, certainly, but in truth a victory for everyone. Just like the previous matchday and past editions of the Respect Cup, the final day of games was marked by the purest competitive spirit and, above all, by the deepest sense of Fair Play. A formative and enjoyable experience to support the young female and male footballers of the Titano in taking the next, crucial step in their sporting development.

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