Under 12: Juvenes-Dogana crowned 2022-23 Opening Champions

In the thrilling setting of the San Marino Stadium and under the eyes of parents, friends, relatives and rivals, the young players of Fiorentino and Juvenes-Dogana faced off to decide the autumn champions of San Marino. The two sides, representing the Titano Academy and Serravalle Football Academy hubs, had enjoyed very similar rides through the regular season: Juvenes-Dogana finished top on 41 points, with Fiorentino just one behind on 40. That meant the Neroarancio were obliged to win at least two of the three periods, because in the event of a perfect balance it would be the Gialloblù lifting the trophy into the San Marino sky. The first period was magnificent, and the only goal from Bacchiocchi – scored right at the end – did not do justice to all the chances created by both teams. The flash of quality that allowed Fiorentino to take a fully deserved lead arrived in the 18th minute, when Bacchiocchi timed his run perfectly and beat Gatti with a stretched finish – the keeper had already been decisive on at least three previous occasions. It was a splendid display from the Neroarancio in the opening period, putting them in a position where a further win in either the second or third segment would be enough to secure the autumn title. At the restart, however, Juvenes-Dogana showed exactly what they were made of. They struck immediately, thanks to a goal from Gualandi. The midfielder capitalised on a ball won back by Gobbi, shaping a wonderful long-range effort that left the blameless Benedettini with no chance. At the other end his counterpart Morri kept out Fiorentino’s fierce response, with Selva first and then Nicolas Francioni going close to an equaliser. The latter unleashed a tremendously powerful right-footed strike that shaved the top corner. Midway through the second period, Juvenes-Dogana struck on the counter: excellent work from captain Mattei, who played in Gobbi, and the latter showed great composure to pick out a low drive into the far corner. Everything was back in the balance at the start of the third and final period, in which a draw would have been enough for Juvenes-Dogana. In reality, though, the match immediately tilted in favour of the Gialloblù, who struck through Mattei following an incisive move by Ricci. The latter produced a spectacular piece of play down the flank, his left-footed effort forcing a save from Trebbi. On the rebound, Mattei reacted quickest and made no mistake from close range. Fiorentino seemed to feel the blow and left themselves open to Juvenes-Dogana’s initiatives, with Ricci emerging as the decisive man for the win. Yet another ball recovered high up the pitch by Gobbi allowed his team-mate to burst through the middle and, after a fine dribble, hammer in the 2-0 with a precise low finish. The Neroarancio tried to get back into it with sheer determination, but the Juvenes-Dogana stronghold withstood the pressure. That is how the final ended, with Juvenes-Dogana claiming the San Marino U12 autumn title, at the end of a splendid contest in which Fiorentino also showed they fully deserved a shot at victory. The Neroarancio will try again in the spring, when Juvenes-Dogana will return as defending champions. Saturday, however, was about much more than just the final. From 15:00 to 17:00, the other nine teams taking part in the San Marino U12 Championship also took to the pitch, playing triangular tournaments on the turf of the San Marino Stadium. It was the best possible way to say goodbye to 2022: a year that began with the lingering effects of the pandemic and the enforced halt to competitions, but ultimately returned to players and fans – especially the youngest – a game of football with no ifs and no buts. The game we have always known, and that we love and will go on loving for the rest of our lives.

---

Campionato Sammarinese U21, Autumn Final | Juvenes-Dogana – Fiorentino 4-1 (0-1, 2-0, 2-0)   JUVENES-DOGANA Gatti, Bonci, Ercolani, Muraccini, Gasperoni, Mattei, Gobbi, Ricci, Gualandi, De Biagi, Sensoli, Morri Coach: Dario Sartori   FIORENTINO Trebbi, Benedettini, Berardinelli, Crudi, N. Francioni, A. Francioni, Ricci, Rosati, Selva, Ugolini, Baldacci, Bacchiocchi, Berardi Coach: Paolo Tarini   Referee: Andrea Zaghini Assistants: Elisa Cecchetti and Andrea Righi Scorers: 18' Bacchiocchi; 19' Gualandi, 29' Gobbi; 40' Mattei, 42' Ricci

---