Under-21: Finland prevail in torrential rain, three new debuts for Cecchetti

In torrential rain at the Stadium, with the upper slopes of Monte Titano even dusted white by a surprise late-March snowfall, the San Marino Under-21 National Team resumed their European qualifying campaign with a clash against Finland.

Cecchetti handed debuts to Semprini and Marinucci, while Sensoli and Tamagnini formed the strike partnership. The Scandinavians started strongly but the Biancazzurrini stayed compact and well-organised in front of Pietro Amici – preferred in goal today to Jacopo Casadei, who started the last home match against Cyprus. On 15 minutes the Titans showed themselves with a fine ball in behind for Simone Tamagnini, who brought it down, accelerated into the box and looked set to strike, but it took a brilliant intervention from centre-back Lötjönen to prevent the San Marino forward from getting his shot away. Two minutes later, however, Finland found the breakthrough: Mentu’s corner was taken short to Talvitie, whose cross into the middle was met by Semprini attempting to clear, but unluckily diverting the ball into his own net. Ten minutes on, Lehkosuo’s side doubled their advantage with another move that did not favour the home backline: Slitanen played vertically for Ruoppi, Marinucci came out to intervene but slipped on the wet turf, allowing the ball to run through to Söderbäck, who finished left-footed. Finland also showcased their qualities from distance through efforts by Söderbäck (30’) and Slitanen (33’), and especially on 41 minutes when they added a third. A powerful piece of play by Talvitie between the lines saw him shake off Marinucci before threading a brilliant pass through to Slitanen, who applied the finish with a delicate touch past the onrushing Amici. In stoppage time, indicated as one minute, Finland scored again with a Jansson header, but it was ruled out for offside against the Finnish centre-back. The sides went in at the break with the Scandinavians three goals up. At half-time Cecchetti made his first change, bringing on another debutant in Pierini for Sensoli. Finland picked up where they had left off and continued to attack relentlessly. On 57 minutes the visitors made it four with a slaloming run from Talvitie, who then laid the ball off for Söderbäck to net his second with another left-footed finish. Immediately after the goal, Lehkosuo made three substitutions, and it was one of the new faces who delivered the fifth. Just two minutes later, Tauriainen’s left-footed strike proved dangerous as it took a decisive deflection off Mattia Ciacci for a second unfortunate own goal of the evening. The rain eased in intensity, but not the Finnish tempo or pressure, as they further extended their lead within minutes. On 62 minutes, another incisive vertical move ended with a precise cross from the right by Ruoppi for Helén – also a substitute – who could not miss for 6-0. Two minutes later, Lötjönen’s header made it seven. Finland then seemed content, allowing the Titans some breathing space and the chance to show something in the latter stages. On 72 minutes, Pierini delivered an excellent cross into the area for Tamagnini, but the Finnish defence managed to turn it behind for a corner. Shortly afterwards, a dangerous free-kick from Pietro Renzi was also deflected behind by the visitors. The clearest chance for the Titans came on 78 minutes, when Renzi’s accurate free-kick into the box picked out Zafferani, who made good contact, only for Jantunen to get his gloves to it and repel San Marino’s best opportunity of the night. There was still time for one more goal – the last of the evening – as Finland rounded off the scoring at 8-0 with Slitanen’s assist for Helén, who timed his run on the shoulder of the last defender, controlled well and beat Amici with his right foot. The San Marino keeper, however, took centre stage in the final action of the match on 90 minutes, producing a fine save to deny Slitanen from point-blank range. With no added time, Bosnian referee Bilbija blew for full time. The next fixture for the Under-21 Titans is on Tuesday evening, away to Romania.

UEFA Under-21 European Qualifiers | San Marino - Finland 0-8

SAN MARINO [3-5-2]

Amici; Marinucci, M. Ciacci (71’ Zafferani), Riggioni; S. Gasperoni, M. Casadei (71’ Renzi), Della Balda (60’ Meloni), Chiaruzzi, Semprini; Sensoli (46’ Pierini), Tamagnini (79’ Canarezza)

Substitutes: J. Casadei, Domeniconi, Riccardi, F. Ciacci

Head coach: Matteo Cecchetti

FINLAND [4-2-3-1]

Jantunen; Ylitolva, Jansson, Lötjönen, Naamo; Mentu (72’ Kujasalo), Slitanen; Talvitie (57’ Tauriainen), Ruoppi (67’ Pippola), Söderbäck (57’ Hellemaa); Liimatta (57’ Helén)

Substitutes: Heino, Paananen, Ulundu, Vaistö

Head coach: Mika Lehkosuo

Referee: Luka Bilbija (BIH)

Assistant referees: Amer Macic (BIH), Marko Peric (BIH)

Fourth official: Nihad Ljajic (BIH)

Scorers: 17’ (o.g.) Semprini, 27’ and 57’ Söderbäck, 41’ Slitanen, 59’ (o.g.) M. Ciacci, 62’ and 82’ Helén, 64’ Lötjönen

Booked: Marinucci, Pierini

Attendance: 196