The qualifications for the Italian Cup Final 8 tournament to be held in Rimini (19-25 April) started yesterday with two matches. Meta Catania lost against Signor Prestito CMB Matera, while Feldi Eboli was successful against Saviatesta Mantova.
Acqua e Sapone and Italservice Pesaro are automatically qualified to the Final 8 tournament as the two best-ranked teams, and we will find out who the remaining four teams are after today's matches:
- Sandro Abate Avellino - Cybertel Aniene 27/03, 4 pm
- Came Dosson - CDM Futsal Genoa 27/03, 6.30 pm
- Real San Giuseppe - Todis Lido di Ostia 27/03, 6.30 pm
- Syn-Bios Petrarca - Colormax Pescara 27/03, 7 pm
*local match times provided.
Meta Catania 3-4 Signor Prestito CMB Matera
The match started very well for the Catania team as Rosseti opened the scoring five minutes into the match. However, just a few minutes later, CMB's Wilde struck a beautifully placed shot from the left side of the pitch right next to the far post of the goal to level the match.
After hitting the woodwork twice in the next couple of minutes, Catania's Musumeci scored for another lead after a nice passing play and Catania took this lead to the break with CMB missing an accumulated free kick.
Things took a turn for the worse for the CMB team when Neto got booked by the referee two times in two minutes, resulting in a red card for the CMB player. Despite having an advantage on the court, Catania couldn't find the space for another goal.
Despite Catania's pressure, CMB's Santos managed to score a goal after an unlucky reaction by Catania's goalkeeper, leveling the score.
But Catania's efforts paid off once again just a few minutes later when Rosseti scored his second goal of the evening, putting Catania in front for the third time in the match!
However, we didn't wait too long for another equalizing goal as well. CMB's goalkeeper Weber made an assist for Pulvirenti who scored a header and put his team level once again.
Unfortunately for the Catania team, a few minutes later after one shot towards the goal and an unlucky rebound, Musumeci put the ball behind his own keeper, putting CMB in front for the first time in the match.
Despite exerting a lot of pressure in the last couple of minutes, implementing the flying goalkeeper, and hitting the woodwork, Catania couldn't find the net until the final whistle and it is the Signor Prestito CMB Matera that qualifies for the Final 8 tournament in Rimini.
Feldi Eboli 5-0 Saviatesta Mantova
The match was practically decided by the end of the first half, as Feldi Eboli scored four unanswered goals.
Caruso opened the scoring after a nice passing play on the left side of the pitch, receiving a ball alone in front of the goal and putting his team in front.
One minute later, Patias showed great technical skills in front of Mantova's goalkeeper and defenders, plucked out the ball, and scored to extend the lead.
A few minutes later, Dani Chino was an unstoppable force against Mantova's defense and he found the back of the net to further extend Feldi Eboli's lead.
And then, just 30 seconds before full time, Mantova was served, what seemed like, a final blow. Luizinho showed great athleticism and with a nice chip shot for a big 4-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Mantova tried with an additional player on the pitch to close the gap, but their efforts were punished some five minutes before full time. After a quick transition, Patias scored his second goal of the match, effectively reserving a spot in the Final 8 tournament for Feldi Eboli.
Full match: