Under 12: Folgore 1 doubles up after the winter triumph and are once again champions of San Marino

On Saturday 26 April, at San Marino Stadium, Folgore 1 and Cosmos 1 met in the spring final of the San Marino Under-12 Championship. It was a real déjà-vu for the two sides representing Serravalle Football Academy, who had already faced each other in December in the first of the two title deciders of the season. As on that occasion, it was Folgore 1 who came out on top, confirming the excellent form shown in the regular season also against Cosmos 1, who had finished second in the table.

It was a fully deserved win overall for Zuccolalà’s boys, who took the field in an all-white kit. After an initial period of clear balance, in which Cosmos 1 created the best chances through Randazzo – twice close to scoring – Ceccoli broke the deadlock. A blistering burst of pace was followed by a right-footed finish at the near post from short range that gave Gabriele Mazza no chance. It was a day to remember for Folgore 1’s number eight, who managed to score three goals in as many minutes: the second came courtesy of a thunderous strike from outside the box into the top corner, while the hat-trick was completed after a fine cut inside onto his right, rounded off with a shot that wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

For Cosmos 1, only winning the remaining two periods would be enough to claim the title, but it was in the central third that Folgore 1 once again proved superior. After a fine reflex save by Mazza on a powerful effort from captain Achilli Bologna, De Luigi took centre stage. Latching onto a through ball from Muccioli, he kept his cool to make it 1-0 with his left foot. It would be the only goal of the second period, largely thanks to the goalkeepers: Mazza had to intervene on Parmeggiani and Muccioli, while Menicucci was tested from distance by Lombardi. Achilli Bologna also tried again in similar fashion, but Mazza kept his goal intact.

With the victory virtually secured, Folgore 1 rode the wave of enthusiasm into the third and final period, almost extending their lead at the restart through Parmeggiani. It was Cosmos 1, however, who opened the scoring through Randazzo. The forward capitalised on a poor piece of ball management by Menicucci who – dispossessed by Muccioli – could do nothing to prevent the opponents from scoring into an empty net. Folgore 1, though, reacted superbly, finding the 1-1 equaliser with another moment of quality from De Luigi. Already close to scoring earlier, he wriggled away from a marker with great agility before unleashing a terrific shot into the top corner. The final flourish on Zuccalalà’s team’s afternoon was provided by Parmeggiani, who capped off a sustained, all-out team move with an emphatic right-footed strike from outside the area. In between, a penalty was won by De Luigi and taken by Moroni: on that occasion, Mazza was outstanding, guessing the taker’s intention and saving the spot-kick.

Before the trophy presentations for Folgore 1 and Cosmos 1, conducted by federal councillors Nanni and Manzaroli, Secretary General Zafferani presented an award to the San Marino Academy: the women’s team entered in the San Marino Under-12 Championship received the Fair Play award, which – on an individual level – went to Nathan Taddei of Serenissima. As a curtain-raiser to the final itself, the triangular matches were once again organised, involving all the other teams taking part in the tournament and attracting huge interest from the many families and friends of the young players. They were able to enjoy a thrilling afternoon at San Marino Stadium in a fantastic setting.

San Marino U12 Championship, Spring Final 2024-25 | Folgore 1 – Cosmos 1 6-1 (3-0, 1-0, 2-1)

FOLGORE 1

Menicucci, Achilli Bologna, Hirsch, Moroni, Bonfé, Maddalena, Parmeggiani, Ceccoli, Muccioli, De Luigi, Berti

Coach: Vincenzo Zuccalalà

COSMOS 1

Mazza, Covi, Cavalli, Gnola, Orsi, Scarpellini, Randazzo, Gasperoni, Rotunno, Lombardi, L. Ugolini, A. Ugolini

Coach: Massimo Vagnetti

Referee: Mattia Mazza

Assistant referees: Sean Berardinelli, Giuseppe Covi

Fourth official: Elisa Cecchetti

Scorers: 15’, 17’ and 18’ Ceccoli, 27’, 49’ De Luigi, 40’ Randazzo, 53’ Parmeggiani

Note: on 50’ Mazza saved a penalty