Special Cup: Albano Primavera triumph on penalties

After two days of competition, passion and great fun, the 2026 edition of the San Marino Special Cup has also been consigned to the history books. The seamless organisation of the event was made possible thanks to the contribution of the San Marino Football Federation, the Federazione Sammarinese Sport Speciali and Special Olympics San Marino. The tournament was further enhanced by the presence of Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, H.E. Alice Mina and H.E. Vladimiro Selva, who took the ceremonial kick-off on Saturday.

Ten teams took part, made up entirely of athletes with intellectual and relational disabilities, who produced a weekend of fair play and intense sporting battles on the artificial pitch at the federal centre in Montecchio. Saturday was devoted to the group stage, which delivered the results needed to determine the pairings that – on Sunday morning – led to the five fixtures that decided the final standings. Albano Primavera claimed the title, repeating their 2023 triumph. Runners-up spot for Castellarano, beaten only on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Also on spot kicks, Calcio Veneto secured third place, overcoming the Special Olympics side from the Principality of Monaco, whose participation gave the tournament an international flavour.

San Marino finished in mid-table, giving way to Fuorigioco after a narrow defeat in the match that offered fifth place. Just behind the Biancazzurri came Parma, 2-1 winners over Insuperabili. Sport In Veneto avoided the wooden spoon, consigning Samba Rimini to the foot of the table after a spectacular 4-3 victory in their head-to-head clash on the final day. The federations and sports organisations involved in staging the event wish to extend special thanks to the many volunteers who supported the initiative: without their invaluable contribution and tireless dedication, none of this would have been possible.