Women’s Under-19: Brilliant Slovenia, Benedettini scores historic goal

Already singled out as clear favourites to top Group B1 and secure a return to League A next autumn, Slovenia produced a display of real quality and substance, striking early through Omerza from their very first spell of possession, rounded off with a delicate lob over the onrushing Forcellini. A later defensive lapse allowed Osolnik to double the lead, while Omerza converted one of the many set-piece routines prepared by Kelenberger’s side to make it a brace on 8 minutes. It was an uphill start for the Biancazzurrine, pegged back again directly from a corner by Trost and then at the end of a powerful run by Jakopič, who unselfishly squared for Gerbec to tap in around the midway point of the half. The Slovenian striker, like San Marino’s Penserini a little earlier, was then forced off through injury. At half-time Slovenia were 6-0 up, courtesy of a thunderous strike from Trost that found the top corner.

After a very difficult first half, the Biancazzurrine responded with a second-half performance full of pride, grit and character, even though Slovenia added a seventh on 50 minutes through the irrepressible Omerza, who timed her run perfectly to get in behind the home backline. At the other end, Balsimelli forced Truntič into action from a set piece, offering the first sign of a San Marino revival. In fact, in the second period Giacomo Piva’s players looked far more assured, even if Forcellini still had work to do, notably denying Žagar on 61 minutes. Earlier on, Benedettini had gone close after a solo move finished with a powerful right-footed strike from a tight angle. Her international joy, however, was not long in coming: on 79 minutes the Titane won the ball back high up the pitch and worked it to Benedettini. The captain, using Paone’s overlapping run as a decoy, cut inside onto her right and unleashed a driven effort from 25 metres that beat Galjot. Even with the score at 7-1, the celebrations – involving the entire San Marino bench – were fully justified: in just their fifth match under UEFA auspices, following their absolute debut last November, San Marino’s Women’s Under-19 national team scored their first-ever goal in an official international fixture. And they might even have struck again late on: Benedettini slid a pass in behind for Lonfernini, who brought the ball under control and shot with her right, but without enough angle to beat Galjot. It was a strong reaction from San Marino to an extremely difficult first half: in the second half the qualities of Piva’s team really came to the fore, and the coach did not hide his pride at a period of play contested almost on level terms with such highly rated opponents. The goal was a natural – and far from obvious – outcome on the international stage: from today, San Marino can cherish a new moment and a new date in the history of women’s football in the country. In the day’s other match between Estonia and Cyprus, the Baltic side repeated their narrow Matchday 1 win, beating the islanders 1-0.

UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship Qualifiers | Slovenia – San Marino 7-1

SLOVENIA (3-4-1-2)

Truntič (66’ Galjot); Zajc, Vukman, Serec; Jakopič (46’ Kure), Medić (46’ Rupar), Trost (46’ Žagar), Šrot; Omerza; Osolnik, Gerbec (36’ Doles)

Substitutes: Prelovšek, Šernek

Head coach: Tina Kelenberger

SAN MARINO (4-5-1)

Forcellini; Stifani, Paolini, Carli (60’ Moroni), Benedettini; Ragazzini (77’ Della Valle), Balsimelli, Yazici, Paone, Zammarchi; Penserini (14’ Lonfernini)

Substitutes: Mastronardi, Bonciucci, Tamagnini, Terenzi

Head coach: Giacomo Piva

Referee: Vesna Miletić (BIH)

Assistant referees: Laura Dugandžić (BIH), Iryna Chaika (UKR)

Fourth official: Anna Frazza (ITA)

Scorers: 1’, 8’ and 50’ Omerza, 3’ Osolnik, 12’ and 45’ Trost, 22’ Gerbec, 79’ Benedettini

Booked: Moroni

Attendance: 40