Two classy goals in NAT San Marino 1-1 Vojvodina: Pancotti answers Popov

Luigi Bizzotto’s NAT San Marino marked their maiden appearance in the UEFA Regions’ Cup Finals in front of their own fans, who turned up in numbers at 21:30 in Acquaviva to back the Biancazzurri in their opener against Serbia’s FA of Vojvodina. Two draws had already been recorded in the afternoon, with Aragón and Länsi-Vantaan Ylpeys both pegged back after taking the lead from the penalty spot. Nurmi scored for the Scandinavians, Sanagustín Cacho for the Iberians. Despite having the upper hand for large spells, the regional sides from Finland and Spain were forced to settle for a point after their opponents hit back through Lagumdžija and Novotný. Over in Rijeka, there was also a late red card for Bogdanić in stoppage time. The woodwork count was perfectly level as well, with one strike apiece from Saksinen and Zulic.

The match involving San Marino was finely balanced in the opening stages. Apart from a scuffed effort by Jelić, the main highlight was a free-kick won and taken by Pancotti which, on 17 minutes, sent a shiver through the Acquaviva crowd. The Serbs also stood out for their aggression, prompting the referee to brandish two yellow cards in the first twenty-three minutes. Towards the end of the half Vojvodina threatened through Vemić, but the San Marino backline reacted promptly and effectively to block his effort. From the ensuing corner a scramble developed in the box and, although De Angelis was unable to claim the cross, the Serbs failed to capitalise. Deep into added time NAT San Marino pushed again, protesting for a penalty after a possible handball in the area, then going close to the opener in the continuation of the move through Pancotti. The San Marino winger let fly with a curling left-footer that Petrović managed to tip onto the crossbar in extremis with his fingertips.

After the restart Šponja tweaked his three-man midfield, introducing Popov. It proved an inspired change, as it was the substitute who broke the deadlock on 49 minutes with a superb right-footed volley from the heart of the area after a cross from Marković. The Biancazzurri replied immediately through another incisive run from Pancotti, who burst through and unleashed a left-footed strike that the Serbian keeper gathered at the second attempt. It was the warning shot before the gem that brought the 53rd-minute equaliser: Benincasa won a free-kick from twenty metres out and Pancotti curled it into the top corner, getting the ball up and over the wall and leaving Petrović with no chance. The Biancazzurri then regained control of the contest, creating another scare with yet another Pancotti raid, his left-footed attempt this time deflected behind for a corner. In the middle part of the second half Vojvodina began to come out of their shell, underpinned by impressive fitness levels: De Angelis had to come off his line to smother a low cross from the left, with the defence then completing the clearance without undue trouble.

On 72 minutes NAT San Marino had a golden chance, following a handball right on the edge of the penalty area, in a central position. Over the ball stood Sartori, Ciacci and Pancotti, offering both power and finesse options. Sartori, the first of the trio, took responsibility, gambling on Petrović’s movement; the keeper did well to hold his ground and then spring across in time to parry wide in style. San Marino’s first substitutions came a quarter of an hour from time, with Bottoni and Riccardo Colonna entering the fray. Shortly afterwards, the Biancazzurri again appealed for a penalty for a possible foul on Benincasa, who had darted in behind the two centre-backs. Hamiti, however, saw nothing untoward. Bizzotto sought to further fuel his side’s attacking intent, sending on Ura and Sartini to freshen up the front three. In the 85th minute it was Corinti’s turn to come on, completing San Marino’s fifth and final change. There was to be no further drama, and the third 1-1 scoreline of the opening day was thus confirmed. The only side to win their opener were Dolnośląski. The Poles made the most of a stunning Olek goal on 38 minutes to finish the first ninety minutes in Group B alone at the top. The striker decided the match against Vaud’s Swiss selection with a moment of pure brilliance: a back-heel control on the edge of the box and a delightful lob to lift the ball over the goalkeeper and secure all three points. The Swiss will now have to do without Lippo, who was sent off on 90 minutes.

UEFA Regions’ Cup San Marino 2025 | NAT San Marino – FA of Vojvodina 1-1

NAT SAN MARINO (3-4-3)

De Angelis; Guglielmi, Gori, Senja (75’ Bottoni); Sartori, Ciacci (75’ R. Colonna), Gaiani, Lisi (84’ Corinti); Pancotti, Benincasa (79’ Sartini), Bernardi (79’ Ura)

Substitutes: D. Colonna, Tomassoni, Terenzi

Coach: Luigi Bizzotto

FA OF VOJVODINA (4-3-3)

Petrović; Marković, Topić, Vuković, Grbić; Mojsilović (68’ Vukmanović), Viola, Barić (59’ Paroški); Milanović (46’ Popov), Jelić, Vemić (59’ Bursać)

Substitutes: Damjanović, Vukas, Gluvić, Milošević

Coach: Vladimir Šponja

Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti (ALB)

Assistant referees: Ilir Tartaraj (ALB), Martin Venev (BUL)

Fourth official: Nikola Popov (BUL)

Scorers: 49’ Popov, 53’ Pancotti

Booked: Mojsilović, Topić, Gaiani, Senja, Gori, Marković, R. Colonna, Paroški, Sartini, Viola

Notes: 323 spectators