Women’s Under-16: penalties deliver Piva’s Titane their first historic victory

After the first ever match for the experimental Women’s Under-16 National Team in the UEFA Development Tournament against Georgia, Giacomo Piva’s Titane immediately write their names into the history books thanks to a penalty shoot-out win over Estonia. In the second fixture of the tournament – played this afternoon once again in Acquaviva – San Marino started strongly, with a fine ball in behind from Zanotti for Elisa Terenzi – fresh from her hat-trick in the opening match – who immediately bore down on the Estonian goalkeeper Ivanona, but it was all brought back for an offside against the No 10. The Titane, however, continued to press in the opposition half, enjoying more possession. The Biancoazzurre’s pressure produced the first clear chance: once again it was Elisa Terenzi proving the biggest threat and in the 16th minute her right-footed effort came back off the post. It was a good spell for the Titane, who soon went very close again: from a Terenzi free-kick, Estonian keeper Ivanona failed to hold the ball and on the rebound Asya Yazici had a go, but this time Ivanona redeemed herself and denied the goal. Estonia began to shake themselves and started to show up around Arianna Forcellini’s area, as in the 29th minute when, in a crowded box, Parnik tried her luck but the San Marino goalkeeper held firmly. After a balanced phase, right at the end of the half (43’) Estonia came very close to taking the lead: a vertical through ball released Matson, who raced towards goal and, once in the box, managed to get her shot away, but Forcellini produced a great save and shut the door. In the single minute of added time awarded by the referee, San Marino created another opportunity from a corner in their attempt to break the deadlock, but Paone was unable to get the shot away. The sides went in at the break at 0-0 in Acquaviva. The start of the second half smiled on the Titane, who came out flying: after several attempts, Piva’s girls managed to take the lead through Anna Benedettini, who scored directly from a free-kick, beating the opposing goalkeeper. San Marino then had to defend their first lead of the tournament and soon did so in style: another vertical pass for the Estonians put the newly introduced Vaarsi (who scored twice in the previous match against Luxembourg) through on goal, but Forcellini again showed great reflexes and denied the equaliser. The game remained in the balance, with Estonia pushing to get back on level terms. They went very close just after the half-hour mark when, from a corner, the ball found the head of Kaalma, whose header crashed against the angle of post and bar. It would not have counted anyway, as the corner had been taken before the whistle of referee Andruccioli. After sustained pressure, however, the Estonians finally found the equaliser in added time: on a long ball over the top, Vaarsi powered through and went one-on-one with Forcellini; Cristina Carli tried to cover but only succeeded in diverting the ball into her own net. After seven minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew for full-time. A draw was not an option, so the match went straight to a penalty shoot-out. Here, the Titane were flawless as all five of their chosen takers scored: Benedettini, Yazici, Terenzi, Paone and even goalkeeper Forcellini. The Estonians also kept pace, but with the fifth and decisive penalty Haavistu struck the crossbar, sending the crowd in Acquaviva into raptures. It’s all true: San Marino’s Women’s Under-16 National Team have beaten Estonia.

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Women’s Under-16, UEFA Development Tournament 2024, DAY 2 | San Marino – Estonia 1-1 (6-5 pens) SAN MARINO Forcellini; Benedettini, Carli, Paolini, Stifani (from 87' Maresi); Zanotti (from 52' Moroni), Tamagnini (from 56' Bianchi, from 87' Ragazzini), Yazici; Terenzi, Paone, Penserini (from 87' Bonciucci). Substitutes: Mastronardi, Della Valle Head coach: Giacomo Piva   ESTONIA Ivanona; Priidemann (from 46' Sepp), Kelder (from 46' Berg), Kaalma, Juzaninova; Parnik (from 46' Vaarsi); Laidmets (from 46' Haavistu), Vali (from 46' Uzjukina), Rank, Veensalu (from 46' Luik); Matson Substitutes: Kozljajeva, Pets, Sootaga Head coach: Ljubov Maksimova   Referee: Mattia Andruccioli Assistant referees: Manuel Bellavista and Fabrizio Morisco Fourth official: Ilie Laurentiu Scorers: 48' Benedettini, 90'+1 Carli (og) Booked: Benedettini, Paone Penalty shoot-out: Benedettini SCORES, Kaalma SCORES – Yazici SCORES, Juzaninova SCORES – Terenzi SCORES, Luik SCORES – Paone SCORES, Vaarsi SCORES – Forcellini SCORES, Haavistu MISSES (crossbar)  

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