Under 18: second win in three matches against Wales, but the final slips away

Thinking that, until just a few days ago, San Marino’s national teams had never won a match at the international tournament "Roma Caput Mundi" only heightens the disappointment of being knocked out in the group stage despite collecting six points from two games. It is nonetheless a clear sign of the quality of Alessandro Loris Bonesso’s side, whose only defeat came against finalists CR Lazio. In today’s match, in fact, the Titans claimed a 2-0 victory over the Welsh selection. A goal in each half, scored by Renzi and Ugolini, kept the young Biancazzurri on edge right until the end – especially as, on the other pitch, CR Lazio were losing to Canada’s Prostars FC after a goal from Muffoilini. It was Fiore who pulled the hosts out of trouble; they had been playing with a man advantage since midway through the first half. The penalty shoot-out was useful only for the record books, with CR Lazio already sure of qualifying thanks to their head-to-head win over the Titans – who would instead have reached the final had Prostars FC won. From the spot, the Lazio side proved more accurate (5-3 on penalties), gaining the additional point on offer. San Marino leave the "Roma Caput Mundi" with their heads held very high, finishing Group B in second place – just one point behind the hosts. It will be a derby in the final, as Italy LND also go through – with a perfect record in Group A. Against Sutjeska Niksic, goals from Torri and Del Mastro proved decisive in unlocking a match that had produced no goals in the first half. A Pyrrhic victory instead for English College FA, who swept aside EPS Pellas 4-0 thanks to strikes from Fairne, Wysocki, Hewett and Aldous. The trophy will be decided in tomorrow morning’s final, with kick-off at 10:30.

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