With four exciting futsal matches, the Final Eight Coppa Italia Futsal 2021 tournament started yesterday in Rimini!
After the first day, four teams are through to the semifinals that will be held this Saturday. The semifinal will be disputed between Italservice Pesaro - Todis Lido di Ostia, and Feldi Eboli - Acqua&Sapone Unigross.
But let's take it step-by-step...
Italservice Pesaro 5-2 Colormax Pescara
The first match of the day was disputed between the leading team in the futsal Seria A, Italservice Pesaro, and relegation-bound Colormax Pescara.
After the first half ended without any goals, but the second half was packed with action, although most of it happened in front of Pescara's goal.
Thanks to two goals by Leandro Cuzzolino, Michele Miarelli (GK), and one by Cristian Borruto, Pesaro took a 5-0 lead. The reason for such a big lead could be found in the fact that Pescara implemented the flying goalkeeper immediately after conceding the first goal.
They were able to strike back, however, with Coco and Mariano Quintairos scoring consolation goals in the 19th minute.
Todis Lido di Ostia 7-6 Signor Prestito CMB Matera
A truly exciting match between these two teams ended after a penalty shoot-out drama, in which players from Lido di Ostia showed better concentration and secured their place in the semifinal.
Lido di Ostia took the lead in the first half thanks to two goals by Raul Rocha and kept that lead until the break.
However, thanks to efforts by Pereira Well and Paolo Cesaroni, CMB players managed to equalize the match. Because we saw no further goals, the match went to penalties.
In a proper drama, where both teams took seven shots towards the goal, finally, it was Lido di Ostia who secured their place in the semifinal.
Feldi Eboli 2-0 Sandro Abate Avellino
In the first half of the match, where both teams tested out their opponents, Feldi Eboli missed an opportunity to take the lead after a penalty kick by Alessandro Patias. Therefore, both teams welcome the break with no goals on the scoreboard.
The second half showed more action, especially after Rudinei Tres scored for Feldi Eboli in the 27th minute. By the end of the match, Alessandro Patias managed to find the back of the net, and secured the semifinal berth for his team!
Acqua&Sappone Unigross 2-1 Came Dosson
In a match that we could have called the derby match of the quarterfinals, second-placed Acqua&Sappone played against third-placed Came Dosson.
Despite an action-packed first half, we only saw one goal in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Coco Wellington scored for Acqua&Sappone in the closing stage of the half, thus securing their lead at the break.
Giacomo Azzoni equalized the match for Came Dosson by the middle of the second half, but it was Lukaian Baptista who struck a goal for Acqua&Sappone with just over a minute left on the clock.
Came Dosson couldn't generate another comeback, and Acqua&Sappone is through to the semifinal.