Women’s U16: Terenzi hat-trick and great comeback not enough for Piva’s Titane against Georgia

The historic debut of the experimental Women’s Under-16 National Team in the UEFA Development Tournament ends with four goals scored, but that is still not enough to avoid defeat against Georgia. Giacomo Piva’s Titane go behind twice but, showing great character, manage to level the game on each occasion. Midway through the second half the Georgians produce the decisive surge and clinch victory with a 7-4 final scoreline. In this afternoon’s match in Acquaviva, the first chance falls to Georgia with a long-range effort from midfielder Tsikaridze, but the shot is central and Arianna Forcellini gathers. Shortly afterwards the midfielder tries again from a free kick, but sends the ball over. Piva’s Titane begin to push and build their first attack down the left through Elisa Terenzi, who bursts forward at pace, enters the area and plays a fine ball across, but no team-mate in the white-and-light-blue shirt can get on the end of it. Georgia keep pressing and shortly before the quarter-hour mark carve out the first clear chance: a ricochet in the box favours Kakulla, who shifts the ball onto her right and shoots well, but Forcellini gets her gloves to it and clears superbly. On 15 minutes Georgia go agonisingly close when a perfect strike by Kelashvili from the edge of the box smashes against the upright. After several attempts, Khubuluri’s side finally break the deadlock: a fine run down the right by Kakulla, who then manages to pick out Kaloiani in the area; she lays it off nicely for Tsikaridze, who places it into the bottom corner. The Titane are not intimidated and immediately throw themselves forward in response. Just seconds later, from a cross from the right, Georgian goalkeeper Dobrovolskaya fails to hold the ball, which drops to Giulia Penserini, who doesn’t give up and manages to get a touch, lifting a lob that ends up in the net, sparking celebrations among the crowd in Acquaviva. It’s 1-1. The game is open and lively, and Georgia go back on the attack after conceding the equaliser. Another good move down the right culminates in a soft effort from Buchukuri, comfortably collected low down by Forcellini. Just after the half-hour, however, Georgia edge in front again: a free kick just inside their own half picks out the run of Khelashvili, who lets the ball bounce a couple of times and, once inside the area, unleashes a powerful right-footed strike that beats Forcellini. Before the interval there is room for another good San Marino move: Boncucci wins the ball high up the pitch and plays in Terenzi, who tries to get away down the left and, once in the box, shoots with her left, but sends the ball well off target. The Titane emerge from the dressing room with just the right attitude and within moments carve out a chance to level: Terenzi wins a great ball and races through on goal, but when one-on-one with Dobrovolskaya the Georgian goalkeeper stands tall against San Marino’s number ten and parries her effort; on the rebound the Georgian defence regroups and clears. The sense of regret for the Titane grows even more because on the very next move Georgia make it 3-1: another long ball from halfway finds Buchukuri, who brings it under control; Anna Benedettini tries to challenge the Georgian forward, who nonetheless manages to shoot and – with the help of a deflection – lifts a lob that wrong-foots Forcellini. But just as in the first half, Piva’s girls show all their character. They certainly do, because despite trailing by two goals, the Titane keep believing. On 65 minutes it is Anna Benedettini who plays a ball in behind for Terenzi, who drives through the middle and powers her way forward, then once again finds herself in front of the opposing goalkeeper and, although her first attempt is saved, on the rebound the San Marino forward does not give up and manages to find the net. Georgia react immediately through Bulia, but new goalkeeper Mastronardi denies her with a fine save. The Titane are fired up and just a minute later complete a sensational comeback: once again it is the Benedettini–Terenzi combination that proves decisive, as the defender strikes a powerful free kick from distance, goalkeeper Pkhakadze spills it and the striker pounces like a hawk to make it 3-3. Acquaviva celebrates the fine comeback by Piva’s girls. The momentum seems to be with San Marino, especially when shortly afterwards Elisa Mastronardi pulls off a great save on Bulia to preserve parity. But the Titane’s dream is short-lived because a few minutes later Georgia move back in front: Tsikaridze collects the ball on the edge of the area and unleashes a superb left-footed strike into the top corner for 4-3. The Georgian attacker is on fire and shortly afterwards (81’) extends the lead from a free kick, completing her hat-trick. Georgia do not let up and, ten minutes from time, add a sixth: it is again Tsikaridze, once more from a free kick – this time from long range – who deceives Stifani to make it 3-6. The Georgians are still not done and on 85 minutes inflict a – perhaps slightly harsh – further blow on the Titane with a goal that is a carbon copy of the previous one: this time the free kick is taken by Berulava, who finds the winning trajectory for 3-7. The closing stages, however, belong to the San Marino side, who pull one back and make the scoreline a little less harsh. A free kick from Asya Yazici picks out Terenzi; the number ten controls brilliantly and with a precise right-footed finish completes her hat-trick, sealing the final 4-7. Georgia thus claim their first points of the tournament and join Luxembourg at the top of the standings, after the latter’s late 3-2 victory over Estonia. The next fixture for the Women’s Under-16 National Team is scheduled for Thursday at 16:30 against Estonia, again in Acquaviva.

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Women’s Under-16, UEFA Development Tournament 2024, DAY 1 | San Marino – Georgia 4-7 SAN MARINO Forcellini (from 57' Mastronardi); Bonciucci (from 46' Stifani), Benedettini, Carli (from 71' Moroni), Paolini, Tamagnini (from 57' Maresi), Penserini (from 57' Ragazzini), Yazici, Paone (from 80' Della Valle), Terenzi, Zanotti (from 46' Bianchi) Head coach: Giacomo Piva GEORGIA Dobrovolskaya (from 69' Pkhakadze); Bolkvadze, Kaloiani, Rizhamadze (from 85' Tchurkveidze), Mikaberidze, Khelashvili (from 85' Ushkhvani), Tsikaridze, Metreveli (from 46' Bulia), Buchukuri (from 85' Jojua), Berulava, Kakulla (from 85' Gutikashvili). Substitutes: Chkhikvadze Head coach: Salome Khubuluri   Referee: William Villa Assistant referees: Andrea Zaghini and Giuseppe Macaddino Fourth official: Andrea Righi Scorers: 17', 70', 78', 80' Tsikaridze, 18' Penserini, 33' Khelashvili, 48' Buchukuri, 65', 66' and 90'+4' Terenzi, 85' Berulava Booked: Paolini, Moroni

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