Women’s football, strong signals from the Under-19 tournament: “We look to the future with confidence and pride”

The joy of the first goal – scored by Anna Benedettini in the match against Slovenia – then repeated and indeed amplified on the final matchday, when there were even two goals and the Under-19 National Team, 3-0 down at the start of the second half, nurtured the dream of a stunning comeback. It did not materialise, but what remained was the feeling of a team driven by great pride, which honoured to the very last second an adventure of historic significance: the first-ever participation of a women’s national side from the Titano in European qualifying, in this case split into two stages, or Rounds: the first away, the second at home. And it was precisely this home mini-group of the Under-19 qualifiers that showed just how strong the feeling is – even beyond the touchlines – around the growth of women’s football in San Marino. National Teams are known to bring people together, but in this case they ignite passion as well: it was clearly felt on Thursday, when the push for 3-3 was led by the eleven players on the pitch, but also loudly urged on by the supporters in the stands. There were many of them, despite a kick-off time not ideally suited to more traditional working hours. At the end of the match against Cyprus, and thus at the end of the tournament itself, the young Titane were rewarded with long, wholehearted applause: fitting recognition for those who truly gave everything on the pitch, honouring to the full the shirt closest to their hearts. And there is every confidence that this baton will be properly taken up by the Under-16 National Team in May, when Righi’s girls will be in North Macedonia to play in the Development Tournament.

So said Pierangelo Manzaroli, one of the Heads of the Women’s Football Department at the FSGC: “Unfortunately, the results did not come, even though in the two matches with Estonia and Cyprus the team came very close to a draw. In any case, scoring three goals in this Round 2 is a strong signal that clearly reflects the development, courage and growing awareness within the game. These girls, together with the staff, have followed an outstanding path and are drawing a clear line for the future of women’s football. The year 2026 is when the UEFA calendar includes competitive activity for two San Marino women’s national teams: Under-19 and Under-16. And further developments are just around the corner. On top of this, there is a thriving and constantly expanding grassroots programme. All of these are tangible signs of structural growth that allow us to look to the future with confidence and pride.”