Under-17s: Ruthless Switzerland in mid-tournament clash

San Marino’s Under-17s came up this morning against the toughest opponents in Group 13, at least on paper. Their Swiss peers are in fact the top seeds in the group and opened with a win over hosts Bulgaria (2-0). The Swiss threaten immediately through Lötscher, whose effort is blocked by Giacomo Benvenuti. San Marino respond in the 8th minute with a header from Protti, dealt with by the defence. The young Swiss favour central runs: Tommaso Benvenuti snuffs out Bühlmann’s attempt on 13 minutes. The Titani look to ease the pressure by playing off Protti, who on the quarter-hour mark shields the ball and brings in Capicchioni – stopped illegally. From the resulting free-kick, Riccardi strikes powerfully but off target. Midway through the half Zé tries a spectacular volley, and on 25 minutes he has another go from a Lötscher pass, again missing the mark. Stauch’s side up the tempo but repeatedly run into the Benvenuti twins, who deny them in quick succession through chances to Londja and Zé. Jacopo Casadei produces a monumental save on 34 minutes, reacting brilliantly to deny Zé a poacher’s finish from point-blank range. The opener arrives on 36 minutes, when Jacopo Casadei deals with a team-mate’s deflection from Riccardi – following a free-kick – but can do nothing about Londja’s tap-in. The second goal follows five minutes later, again with Londja pouncing on a loose ball after a deflection on Zé’s shot. Before the break, captain Xhemalija also gets on the scoresheet, finishing off a pass from Bühlmann. Both coaches ring the changes at half-time. Even with a reshaped set-up, San Marino look to crowd the middle of the pitch and the flanks. On 53 minutes there is a good chance for Capicchioni, who from the edge of the area is unable to turn into a goal the free-kick won by Riccardi. Switzerland keep driving forward, chasing a goal difference that would allow them to go into the Turkey match knowing a draw would be enough. On 58 minutes comes Xhemalija’s goal from a free-kick, and on the hour a coming together between Menicucci and Boteli is judged a penalty by Smajc. From the spot, Boteli sends the San Marino goalkeeper the wrong way. Shortly afterwards, a mistake by San Marino in building from the back allows Bühlmann to turn provider and set up Boteli for his second in the space of a minute. The Swiss show no intention of easing off, finding the net again through Londja. Before the final whistle there is more work for Jacopo Casadei, who does well to keep out Parente and Bashj. The final match comes on Wednesday, against hosts Bulgaria, who today were beaten 3-2 by Turkey. The tournament ends today for Cervellini, booked while already on a caution and therefore suspended for the match on 19 October (15:00).

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EURO U-17 2022-23, Group 13 | Matchday 2, Switzerland-San Marino 7-0   SWITZERLAND Lapierre; Srdanovic, Fasano (from 46' Kamoko), Bashaj, Tomeo; Romano, Xhemalija (from 70' Tsawa), Bühlmann (from 70' Parente); Zé (from 46' Boteli); Lötscher (from 61' Gonzalez), Londja Substitutes: Muslija, Rizzo, Seferovic, Grando Head coach: Sascha Stauch   SAN MARINO J. Casadei; Domeniconi, G. Benvenuti, T. Benvenuti, Riccardi (from 65' Giacopetti); Bindi (from 78' Molari), Menicucci, Cervellini, Della Balda (from 71' Pasolini); Protti (from 67' Semperlotti), Capicchioni (from 65' M. Casadei) Substitutes: Grana, Marinucci, Yazici, Fortunati Head coach: Nicola Cancelli   Referee: David Smajc (SVN) Assistant referees: David Gabrovec (SVN) and Georgi Minev (BUL) Fourth official: Stanimir Trenchev (SVN) Scorers: 36', 41', 65' Londja, 43', 58' Xhemalija, 61' pen., 62' Boteli Booked: Cervellini, Romano

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