U19 Winter Cup: Dolcini on target but Romania prevail; Montenegro defeat the Titans in opener

A taste of international futsal for the Under-19 National Team just a few weeks before their debut in the home tournament valid for European qualification. Matteo Selva and his boys arrived in Poreč on Wednesday, venue of the traditional Winter Cup. Drawn in a group with Romania, Montenegro and Malta, the young Titans took to the court yesterday afternoon for DAY 1. Their first opponents were Montenegro, who ran out 4-0 winners. The opener came after exactly one minute of playing time, from a throw-in: the ball was moved quickly out to the right flank, where Elezaga produced an inch-perfect diagonal, nestling the ball into the far corner. The 2-0 arrived midway through the first half. Once again great credit goes to Elezaga, who bamboozled the San Marino defence with a shot feint before laying on a perfect chance for Jelić, ice-cool and clinical in front of David Forcellini. The scoreline did not change again until the middle of the second half. Here Forcellini did brilliantly to save Barjataroviq’s first effort, but the Montenegrin found outstanding coordination on the second ball and, almost with a scissor kick, fired it into the net for 3-0. The exclamation mark on Montenegro’s victory was added by Ognjen Vuković in the dying stages. A double decisive contribution from the number 4 in yellow and red: first a crucial block on Flammini, who was through on the counter, and immediately afterwards a perfect diagonal finish that left Forcellini with no chance. The second group match kicked off only a few hours after the opener. This morning it was Romania’s turn to battle the Under-19 National Team of the Titano for three points. Endre Kacso’s side broke the deadlock on 6 minutes through Santeju, who after a long run with the ball at his feet found himself one-on-one with Forcellini and beat him with composure. Nothing else altered the scoreline for the remainder of the first half, while the second began immediately with Romania doubling their lead, the result of a fine individual move by Balint, who isolated himself on the flank before unleashing a powerful and unstoppable left-footed strike. Soon after came the 3-0, originating from a powerful effort by Teodoran that Forcellini parried but without clearing the danger; Lingurar pounced on the loose ball and finished into an empty net. Romania effectively wrapped up the three points with Neacsu’s thunderbolt under the crossbar, before the San Marino side managed to reduce the deficit – and score their first goal of the tournament – through Dolcini, who did superbly to break up Romania’s possession, burst at speed towards Gurin’s goal and beat the keeper in the one-on-one. The final fixture of the tournament for San Marino’s Under-19 National Team will be on Sunday morning (10:00) against Malta. Like the previous matches, this one will also be streamed live on the “Futsal Week” Facebook page.

Futsal Week U19 Winter Cup | Montenegro – San Marino 4-0

MONTENEGRO Marković, O. Vuković, Jelić, Elezaga, Barjataroviq

Substitutes: Gjecbitriq, Krunić, Mandić, M. Vuković, Glomazić, Tadić, Čaprić, Četković, Medjedović

Head coach: Sveto Ljesar

SAN MARINO Forcellini, Andolina, Lotti, Dolcini, L. Fortunati

Substitutes: Crescentini, Mularoni, Biordi, Mularoni, Laglia, Fantini, Beccari, Flammini, S. Fortunati, Amici

Head coach: Matteo Selva

Referee 1: Alen Božić

Referee 2: Danilo Francalanza

Timekeeper: Dragan Župan

Booked: Mularoni, Beccari

Scorers: 1'00'' Elezaga, 10'40'' Jelić, 29'16'' Barjataroviq, 36'52'' O. Vuković

Futsal Week U19 Winter Cup | San Marino – Romania 1-4

SAN MARINO Forcellini, Mularoni, Fantini, L. Fortunati, S. Fortunati

Substitutes: Lotti, Dolcini, Andolina, Crescentini, Biordi, Laglia, Beccari, Flammini, Amici

Head coach: Matteo Selva

ROMANIA Szabo, Mate, Neacsu, Todoran, Curticapen

Substitutes: Gurin, Csoz, Tudor, Dima, Santeju, Kuzstos, Balint, Kis, Lingurar, Cheta, Bodiu

Head coach: Endre Kacso

Referee 1: Dražen Vukčević

Referee 2: Danilo Francalanza

Timekeeper: Dragan Župan

Booked: Beccari, Forcellini

Scorers: 5'04'' Santeju, 20'26'' Balint, 24'41'' Lingurar, 30'14'' Neacsu, 37'33'' Dolcini