U16: Georgia hit four, Semperlotti’s penalty makes the Titans celebrate

After a good performance in the opening match with Slovenia, Matteo Magnani’s Under-16 National Team returned to the pitch in Acquaviva for their second UEFA Development Tournament fixture, this time against Georgia. There were five new faces compared to the first match: from the start Magnani chose Francesco Della Balda in goal, then Faetanini and Zavoli in defence, Nicolini in midfield and Gualtieri up front. The Georgians, coached by George Chitauri and victorious in their opener against Montenegro, started strongly and went ahead in the 7th minute: from Nioradze’s corner, the ball was played to the near post, Mzhavanadze got a touch and, with the unlucky deflection off Forcellini, the ball ended up in the net for 1-0. San Marino tried to respond, but Georgia managed Magnani’s Titans well and kept them at bay. Just past the midway point of the half, another good chance fell to Gogilashvili from the edge of the box, his effort going just wide to the right of Francesco Della Balda. In the 34th minute Chitauri’s side doubled their lead, with Surguladze driving forward on the right and, once level with his own bench, shooting directly at goal with a trajectory that caught out Francesco Della Balda and resulted in a sensational strike that sent the young Georgians into raptures. Towards the end of the half, San Marino kept pushing and got into Asanidze’s area through Protti, who tried to turn in the box and then went down after contact, but referee Alessandro Vandi waved play on. There was still time for another surge from Surguladze, who was clearly enjoying himself and tried again from distance, his shot not missing by much. The sides went in at the break with Georgia 2-0 up. At the start of the second half Georgia immediately threatened again with a fine long-range strike from Kutadeladze that sailed just over the bar. On the hour mark Magnani’s boys also went close, but Tommaso Bindi’s attempt from distance failed to hit the target. After several substitutions on both sides, Georgia grabbed a third midway through the half: once again from a corner, it was Gogilashvili who rose highest and beat Francesco Della Balda. The Titans tried to react straight away and Enea Della Balda looked to send onrushing substitute Samuele Burioni through, but the Georgian defence managed to snuff out the threat on the left. Shortly afterwards Georgia almost had their fourth following a central run by substitute Jaoshvili, but Francesco Della Balda pulled off a superb save to prevent it from becoming 4-0. San Marino refused to give up and hit back: good play down the right with Alessandro Mularoni driving forward before slipping the ball to Enea Semperlotti. The Sammarinese forward broke into the area and was brought down; for the referee it was a penalty, which Semperlotti himself converted to the applause of the Acquaviva crowd, who urged on the young Titans. In the closing stages, however, the Georgians struck again following an exchange between Kvashilava and Mzhavanadze, with the latter able to shoot from just inside the area; Della Balda could not hold a shot that bent his hands back and crossed the line for 4-1. San Marino’s final outing in the Development Tournament will be on Easter Sunday against Montenegro (kick-off at 14:30, live and exclusive with commentary on Titani.tv). In their second match of the tournament, the Balkan side were beaten 3-0 by Slovenia, who top the group level on points with Georgia. In Acquaviva, Radosaljevic’s team went ahead midway through the first half through Drobnic and doubled their lead near the break via Sunta (also on target against San Marino). The third goal was scored by Pecjak, who wrapped up the contest. Click here for the updated standings.  

---

Under 16, UEFA Development Tournament 2023, DAY 2 | Georgia – San Marino 4-1   SAN MARINO F. Della Balda; Marani, Bugli, Faetanini (from 75' Marinucci); Pasolini (from 62' Semperlotti), Forcellini (from 46' Contucci), Nicolini (from 62' Giorgetti), E. Della Balda (from 80' Valentini), Zavoli (from 46' Bindi); Protti (from 62' Mularoni), Gualtieri (from 62' Burioni) Substitutes: Casadei Coach: Matteo Magnani GEORGIA Asanidze (from 87' Bakhutashvili); Khachidze, Gogoli (from 87' Jaoshvili), Amisulashvili, Laskhia (from 87' Bedianashvili); Surguladze (from 87' Tatishvili), Gogilashvili (from 80' Kvashilava); Chubunidze (from 87' Nakhutsrishvili), Kutateladze (from 60' Nikvashvili), Nioradze (from 80' Peradze); Mzhavanadze Coach: George Chitauri   Referee: Alessandro Vandi Assistant referees: Salvatore Tuttifrutti and Marco Savorani Fourth official: Giovanni Notarpietro Booked: Gogilashvili, Kutateladze, Asanidze; Nicolini, Pasolini. Scorers: 7' og. Forcellini, 34' Surguladze, 67' Gogilashvili, 73' pen. Semperlotti, 90+1 Mzhavanadze  

---

Under 16, UEFA Development Tournament 2023, DAY 2 | Slovenia - Montenegro 3-0 SLOVENIA Žnuderl (from 46' Antonič); Dassena (from 46' Meško), Vukelič, Drobnič, Petrovič; Jurgec (from 61' Žužek), Viher; Ačimović (from 54' Pečjak), Šunta (from 54' Šabotič), Miloševič (from 46' Suhovršnik); Raspet (from 46' Hočevar) Substitutes: Bilač, Voldrih Coach: Aleksandar Radoslavljevič MONTENEGRO Bozovic; Mugosa, Stokanovic (from 63' Jovanovic), Martinovic (from 46' Maras), Miljanic (from 63' Dukic); Jokanovic, Pavicevic; Nikcevic (from 46' Milosevic), Savovic (from 57' Knezevic), Vlahovic (from 57' Jaukovic); Kostic (from 81' Bastrica) Substitutes: Tomas, Vuk Coach: Radovan Kavaja   Referee: Luca Tura Assistant referees: Gianmarco Ercolani and Alessandro Salvatori Fourth official: Alessandro Vandi Booked: Šunta; Vlahovic Scorers: 21' Drobnič, 38' Šunta, 56' Pečjak  

---