Under-15: emphatic, historic win for the Titani over Liechtenstein, tournament goes to Gibraltar

San Marino capped off its UEFA Under-15 Development Tournament in style. After the opening-day penalty shoot-out victory, Di Spirito’s young Titani this morning claimed a historic and stunning 9-1 win over Liechtenstein on the third and final matchday of the tournament held this week in the Republic.

The clash in Dogana started at a blistering pace, with the first goal arriving inside the opening minute. It was Liechtenstein who struck first, breaking the deadlock through an Oberwaditzer header that beat Casali. Di Spirito’s boys did not lose heart and just two minutes later they restored parity: a fine run down the right by Valentini, who squared it for Sensoli, unerring with the finish. The Titani grew into the game and went in front on 12 minutes: Berardi’s cross found Macina in the box, the number nine laid it off perfectly for Valentini, who picked out the far corner from the edge of the area. San Marino kept pushing and, two minutes later, struck again through a solo effort from Macina, who made it 3-1 with a powerful, pinpoint right-footed strike. Riding the wave of enthusiasm, the Titani made it four on 16 minutes with a wonderful move: a delightful piece of play from Chiaruzzi sparked a counter-attack led by Sensoli, who with the outside of his boot picked out Macina; he then slipped the ball to Valentini – timing his run into the area to perfection – who finished it off with a delicate touch. The Titani even allowed themselves the “luxury” of missing a penalty, awarded on 19 minutes for a foul by Diehr on Jourdain. The young Sammarinese forward stepped up, but Tinner saved. As if still owing themselves a goal, San Marino kept pressing relentlessly and, two minutes later, they scored again with a thunderous strike from Valentini from a wide position, beating Tinner and completing his hat-trick. The Titani showed no signs of letting up and increased their lead again before the break. On 39 minutes, Jourdain beat his man with a brilliant piece of skill before dinking the ball into the area, where Meloni headed home his second. The Titani “tornado” continued to swirl because, shortly before half-time, Di Spirito’s boys found the net yet again: after Valentini’s treble, Meloni also took home the match ball with the 7-1, arriving on 42 minutes as the number nine tapped in after Sensoli’s shot had been parried by Tinner. With a commanding lead in favour of San Marino, the teams headed for the dressing rooms.

After the restart the tempo dropped, but Di Spirito’s Titani still had plenty in the tank to add to the scoresheet. On 78 minutes came the eighth goal of the day for the Biancoazzurri: Tinner’s attempted take from a corner was less than convincing, the ball remained dangerously in the six-yard box and Rattini reacted quickest, joining the party. Shortly before the ninetieth minute came the icing on the cake for Di Spirito’s boys on an unforgettable morning. The ninth goal was another moment of real quality, as Berardi hit a first-time volley from distance straight into the top corner. It was the goal that sealed the final 9-1 scoreline and wrapped up the contest in Dogana. It was a big, resounding win for San Marino, who nonetheless finished third in the group. The tournament title went to Gibraltar, who defeated Andorra 3-0 to leapfrog them in the table on the very last matchday. In Acquaviva, Scott Wiseman’s Reds prevailed thanks to Greene’s brace – opening and closing the scoring – with Moreno Ruiz netting in between. Gibraltar took the honours with seven points, followed by Andorra on six and San Marino on five points. Liechtenstein finished bottom on zero.