Women’s Under-19: Bosnia and Herzegovina prevail in final outing

San Marino-Bosnia and Herzegovina is played on a very heavy pitch, battered by rain, fog and biting cold. Not exactly a dream setting for the Biancazzurrine’s final outing in the Women’s Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers, with next year’s finals to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina itself. The Titane’s approach is more than positive, showing composure at the back and clear ideas in looking for Benedettini – an unusual choice as the lone striker in the absence of Terenzi, who starts on the bench. A move by the San Marino captain produces the first chance of the match: after winning a wide free-kick, she peels away to meet Yazici’s delivery – sending her effort just wide. Bosnia and Herzegovina favour a patient build-up and first threaten Forcellini’s goal on 8 minutes through Rankić, whose close-range effort is blocked by the San Marino keeper. The tallest of the home side’s attacking midfielders plays off the striker and, on 13 minutes, does well to find space between the lines and unleash a right-footed strike from 25 metres to open the scoring. Piva’s side stays fully in the game, though ruing a few fouls not given when playing into Benedettini’s feet, situations that could have allowed them to push their line higher. In midfield Yazici stands out for work rate and tenacity in breaking up play, but in the 22nd minute the second goal arrives through Mirković – heading home from a corner. San Marino respond with a ball played to the edge of the box, where Benedettini is just a fraction of a second late in attacking it. At the other end, Yazici is providential in stopping Adbukić inside the area just as Bosnia and Herzegovina look set to score again. Out of possession, the Biancazzurrine are well-organised and combative in individual duels, constantly disrupting the opponents’ combinations. From the fog and another set piece comes fresh danger for the San Marino goal on 40 minutes: once more from a corner situation, Erkić fires goalwards only to be denied by a brilliant reflex stop from Forcellini. There is no escape for the San Marino backline at the end of the first half, though, as Mirković completes her brace in identical fashion.

The second half begins with a triple substitution from Milovic, who also sends on Vukelić: the striker rattles the crossbar on 47 minutes after a scrappy attacking move. Piva’s girls continue to fight like lionesses, working the ball to Benedettini so she can shoot from distance on 52 minutes. On the counter, Bosnia and Herzegovina find their fourth goal: it is Vukelić herself who ghosts in at the far post to head past Forcellini. The fog does nothing to help the San Marino keeper, who on 56 minutes has to deal with yet another threat from a corner, eventually cleared by the defence. There is nothing to be done a minute later, as Jurić gets her name on the scoresheet with a shot that does not appear particularly dangerous. The keeper makes amends on the hour mark, brave and decisive in a one-on-one with Vukelić – smothered at the last moment. The duel is renewed in the 64th minute, with Forcellini once again coming out on top. Unfortunately, in between those two saves Bosnia and Herzegovina find the net again through Jurić – ice-cool in front of goal. San Marino continue to defend selflessly, even as their energy levels start to dip – not helped by the very testing conditions and this being their third game in six days. Even so, the hosts celebrate once more on 71 minutes through Rankić. The Titane strike back via Benedettini, who on 77 minutes recycles a useful ball for Paone – looking for a one-two with Lonfernini to carve out a shooting chance from the edge of the box. However, the promising move is halted as the latter is flagged offside. At the other end, Bosnia and Herzegovina do not take their foot off the gas and score directly from a corner through Milićević. In the closing stages, Forcellini is monumental, flying to the top corner to deny Rankić a hat-trick when her curling right-footed effort from the edge of the box looks destined for the net. Before the final whistle, the hosts are also able to celebrate Hadžihajdarević’s quickfire brace inside a minute – first from a doubtful position on the end of a long ball from Milićević, then finishing off an incisive move between Rankić and Mirković.

Thus comes to an end the first, historic participation of a San Marino women’s national football team in official UEFA competition. It has been an intense week that has showcased the extraordinary team spirit of the Biancazzurrine, who proved capable of competing on the international stage with great character despite undeniably difficult circumstances. A first step that must be followed by many more, with the ambition of reaching prestigious milestones and nurturing a passion for football among the many young girls in the Republic of San Marino who, one day, will be able to wear their country’s shirt on the biggest stages of the Old Continent.

Women’s Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers, Round 1 - MD3 | San Marino – Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-10

SAN MARINO (4-1-4-1)

Forcellini; Stifani, Paolini, Carli, Bonciucci; Paone; Lonfernini, Yazici, Balsimelli, Tamagnini; Benedettini

Substitutes: Mastronardi, Terenzi, Zani

Head coach: Giacomo Piva

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (4-2-3-1)

Golubović; Erkić, Dimitrić (57’ Marinkovć), Maslać (46’ Begic), Milićević; Mirković, Adbukić (57’ Ceric); Jurić, Rankić, Marković (46’ Vukelić); Aličković (46’ Hadžihajdarević)

Substitutes: Panić, Hafizovic, Laketić, Kurešević

Head coach: Jelena Milovic

Referee: Katalis Sipos (HUN)

Assistant referees: Noemi Hegedus-Barath (HUN), Georgia Komisopoulou (GRE)

Fourth official: Andromachi Tsiofliki (GRE)

Scorers: 13’ and 71’ Rankić, 22’ and 44’ Mirković, 52’ Vukelić, 57’ and 63’ Jurić, 81’ Milićević, 87’ and 88’ Hadžihajdarević

Booked: Paone, Balsimelli