
SP Tre Fiori have completed the domestic double in San Marino, a 2-1 extra-time defeat of SP Tre Penne in the play-off final securing a second successive league title.
Tre Fiori had won the domestic cup on 28 April, beating the same opponents 2-1 in extra time with veteran striker Sossio Aruta scoring the decisive goal, and the 39-year-old also played a key role as his club claimed the league championship for the sixth time. The former Ascoli Calcio 1898 forward broke the deadlock after 18 minutes with a fine header.
Tre Penne threatened a response, Maurizio Di Giuli hitting the post with a shot from distance a minute before half-time, but an equaliser did eventually materialise with ten minutes left to play. Di Giuli made a great run on the left and sent in a low cross for Mirko Palazzi to score with a low shot and send the game into extra time. There the crucial goal arrived in the 103rd minute, Aruta heading in again, and Tre Fiori held firm despite losing Matteo Valli to a red card, goalkeeper Massimiliano Micheletti making a series of good saves.
"Aruta was decisive for us both in the cup and in the league," said Tre Fiori coach Floriano Sperindio. "He scored many important goals for us. Our objective was to get into the UEFA Champions League qualifying round. We will not have much holiday but that's what we wanted and with a bit of luck in the draw you never know."
©UEFA.com 1998-2013. All rights reserved.
http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=smr/news/newsid=1494088.html#tre+fiori+triumph+again+san+marino