Under-19: Czech Republic strike either side of half-time

The San Marino Under-19 National Team, coached by Nicola Cancelli, made their debut this afternoon in Opava – in the Czech Republic – where Group 10 of the 2024 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Qualifying Round is taking place. The hosts ran out 4-0 winners, with three of their four goals coming either side of the interval. David Holoubek’s side top the group on their own after the opening ninety minutes, following the goalless draw between Finland and Romania. Borasco was called into action on at least two occasions in the opening stages, but the San Marino goalkeeper dealt well with efforts from both Hašek and Míšek. At the other end, Famiglietti tried to push the team up the pitch, also winning some valuable free-kicks. The same set-piece situation that the Czechs were unable to capitalise on in the opening half-hour, during which they repeatedly went for goal directly. Then, just a minute after a free-kick won by Tommaso Benvenuti (his brother Giacomo was ruled out at the last minute before departure due to a fever), Málek found the net from a pass by Hašek. In the closing stages of the half the Biancazzurri pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but a couple of set-piece attempts failed to produce the 1-1, as did Renzi’s powerful strike deep into added time. From the resulting corner taken by the same midfielder, Mattia Ciacci rose to head home what looked like the equaliser, only for the outstanding reflex save of Čechal – crucial in tipping the ball onto the crossbar. On the restart Holoubek made two changes, and the introduction of Planka paid almost immediate dividends. It took the substitute less than three minutes to lay on the second goal for Málek, who had already been denied twice earlier in the half. The 3-0 was then sealed on 56 minutes through the Hranoš-Horák combination. On the hour mark Cancelli turned to the fresh legs of Cervellini and Ugolini, while a few minutes later Famiglietti was flagged offside. The young forward, who has started the season strongly with the San Marino Academy U22 in the Campionato Sammarinese, made way for Gabriel Capicchioni on 70 minutes – around six minutes before the final goal of the afternoon, scored by Hranoš. In the closing stages Borasco still had work to do, while a Renzi corner and a free-kick from Tommaso Benvenuti did not yield the consolation goal that had also been narrowly missed in the first half. The best chance came from a wonderful move started by Capicchioni and finished by Ugolini, who did well to bring down a difficult ball and drive through the middle in a one-two with Cervellini. However, the ball got stuck under the runner’s feet inside the six-yard box, allowing the home defence to clear at the last possible moment.  

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Euro U19, 2024 – Qualifying Round | Czech Republic-San Marino 4-0 CZECH REPUBLIC Čechal; Toman (from 81' Svatoš), Paluska, Hamza, M. Pudil; Míšek (from 46' Planka), Horák (from 68' Buryán), Gaszczyk; Málek (from 68' A. Pudil), Proniuk, Hašek (from 46' Hranoš) Substitutes: Baier, Zachoval, Hunál, Krulich Coach: David Holoubek   SAN MARINO Borasco; Valli Casadei, Zafferani (from 86' A. Riccardi), M. Ciacci, F. Ciacci (from 86' S. Riccardi), T. Benvenuti; Gasperoni (from 60' Cervellini), Casadei, Renzi, Molinari (from 60' Ugolini); Famiglietti (from 70' Capicchioni) Substitutes: Hoel, Della Balda, Bugli Coach: Nicola Cancelli   Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (ARM) Assistant referees: Khachatur Hovhannisyan (ARM) and Marko Gojkovic (MNE) Fourth official: Miloš Savović (MNE) Scorers: 34', 49' Málek, 56' Horák, 76' Hranoš Booked: T. Benvenuti, Cervellini

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