Titano Futsal Cup: Murata crowned champions after stunning comeback against Pennarossa

The two top futsal sides in San Marino, at least based on what has been seen so far this season, meet at the Multieventi. Murata and Pennarossa serve up the best possible Titano Futsal Cup final, with the Bianconeri entering as favourites – not least because of their solitary march in the league and their head‑to‑head record with the Chiesanuova club, which can nevertheless boast of being the only team to have denied the much‑fancied opponents a victory.

The contest is intense, played with commitment and aggression by both fives, and the technical areas opt not to make any changes for about half of the opening period. In the meantime, Busignani creates the best chance of the early stages, working a left‑footed diagonal that drifts just wide. At the midway point of the first half, defences are on top. That changes thanks to Oddone, who beats Protti with a powerful left‑footer on 14 minutes: the first shot on target of the final also produces the opening goal. The Bianconeri respond with an effort from Busignani, dealt with by Bizzocchi and Maiani. Pennarossa have the opportunity to double their lead through Toccaceli, who is off target at the end of a counter‑attack sparked by Stefanelli’s recovery on Busignani. The game is now wide open and Belloni restores parity in the 19th minute: seconds after the timeout, Busignani finds Ghiotti with a vertical pass. The lay‑off for Belloni’s run is perfect, as is the toe‑poke finish from Belloni, giving Bizzocchi no chance. The Pennarossa goalkeeper is then monumental in denying De Angelis the goal that would have put Murata in front on 23 minutes: the transition leads to an Ercolani assist to the far post, where the former Folgore man finds the keeper’s superb reflexes in his way. Before the break Moretti clips the woodwork, while Bizzocchi again comes out on top against Ercolani. At the other end, Pennarossa work an interesting corner routine, but Ceccoli fails to hit the target.

On the restart there is work for Protti as well, who shows sharp reflexes to keep out Verri on 32 minutes. Murata reply through Busignani, inaccurate with his shot, and above all with a set piece from Mattioli that brings the best out of Bizzocchi. No less impressive is the subsequent intervention from his opposite number Protti, outstanding in thwarting a move of real quality from Verri, who manages to adjust his body and shoot with great agility in two touches. The balance of the match is hanging by a thread, which is cut by a risky exchange between Maiani and Ceccoli: they lose the ball near Bizzocchi’s area and Busignani makes no mistake. The all‑rounder in black and white almost doubles his tally just seconds later, shortly after nearly gifting Oddone the equaliser with some sloppy play in his own penalty area. The clearest opportunity, however, comes on 44 minutes, when Pennarossa counter quickly but lack accuracy with Maiani’s final pass – intercepted by Protti when the hard work seemed already done. Murata then launch a counter‑attack of their own, ending with a low, skidding diagonal effort from De Angelis that finishes just wide.

It is not strictly match report material, but it is worth highlighting the act of fair play by Moretti midway through the second half. With Verri struggling after an accidental knock, the Sammarinese winger gave up the chance to attack and deliberately put the ball into touch. The match appears to dip in intensity, before the one‑two that ushers in the final ten minutes and effectively settles the contest. From a corner, Busignani punishes the lax marking of Pennarossa, and moments later Belloni is on hand to finish with a winning tap‑in at the end of another Bianconeri move. It is still not over, because Ercolani also gets his name on the scoresheet, putting Murata’s victory firmly in the bag. In the 58th minute Protti denies Verri the joy of scoring in a final, something that is certainly not lacking for Ercolani – who completes the third brace of the night for the Bianconeri, capitalising on a magnificent solo run from De Angelis. Pennarossa feel the impact of the quick‑fire goals and risk collapsing altogether, having to rely on Bizzocchi and the woodwork (twice) before the final buzzer.

Thus ends a final which, despite what the scoreline suggests, was actually finely balanced for more than fifty minutes. Pennarossa’s limited rotation options and Murata’s overall superior quality, along with their ability to keep their nerve at the decisive moment, ultimately tilted the match in favour of Spada’s side. The 6-1 final scoreline features braces from Belloni, Busignani and Ercolani, after Oddone’s early opener. Murata lift the Titano Futsal Cup again thirteen years on from their only previous triumph in the competition. 

Titano Futsal Cup 2024-25, Final | Murata-Pennarossa 6-1

MURATA

Protti, Moretti, Busignani, De Angelis, Ercolani

Substitutes: Capicchioni, Littera, Ghiotti, Mattioli, Albani, Belloni

Coach: Massimiliano Spada

PENNAROSSA

Bizzocchi, Maiani, Verri, Toccaceli, Ceccoli

Substitutes: Guidi, Baldani, Carlini, Colonna, Stefanelli, Brighi, Oddone, Giacobbi

Coach: Settimio Novembrini

Referee 1: Nicolò Lerza

Referee 2: Laurentiu Ilie

Referee 3: Alessandro Vandi

Referee 4: Mattia Mazza

Scorers: 14’ Oddone, 19’ Belloni and 52’ Belloni, 40’ and 51’ Busignani, 54’ and 59’ Ercolani

Booked: Ercolani, Mattioli