Winning is never easy, even when you’re the favourites. But Italy have done it, and they’ve done it in the best way possible: three big wins against Moldova, Poland and Croatia mean that the title belongs to the Azzurre. The team’s superiority was also on display during this final matchday.

The Azzurre went into the break 3-0 up following an excellent first-half performance: Francesca Salvatore’s side showed great tempo, intensity and quality and remained focused as they forced Croatia to remain in their own half. The opening goal arrived almost instantly, with Renata Adamatti, the tournament’s MVP, scoring for the sixth time in three matches. The hosts’ response – their only real dangerous moment of the half – came through Matijevic, but Mascia produced a great save to tip the ball onto the bar. After surviving this scare, Italy continued to pour forward and eventually doubled their lead with eleven minutes on the clock as Bruna fired home. Seven minutes later, Roberya Giuliano grabbed the Azzurre’s third after a relentless spell of pressure.

The second period began with a great opportunity for Croatia as Matijevic struck the post from a free kick. With the hosts looking to come forward, Italy did well to contain these attacks before striking a big blow seven minutes into the half: Pomposelli finished off a quic counter-attack to make it four. Just a minute later, Borges was left with an easy tap-in following good work by Renatinha. 5-0 down, Croatia set about restoring some pride and managed to pull one back through Matijevic. However, Italy hit back through Pomposelli and then Belli, whose goal five minutes from the end made it 7-1. The Croatians did net three times late on as Matijevic (x2) and Gaiser found the back of the net, but ultimately it was Italy who emerged victorious. This 7-4 win saw the Azzurre claim the first title in their history, the Women Futsal Week Summer Cup, a well-deserved success won by the group.

“We’re feeling very emotional after this success,” said Salvatore. “When you arrive and win, everything seems easy, but this isn’t the case. Every victory has something special about it. We deserved this and in today’s game we stepped it up again in terms of the maturity we displayed. We came into this tournament on the back of a training camp lasting one week, then we had to play three matches in four days. We demonstrated what we’re all about. I’m happy to see them so happy. For me, this is the greatest win,” concluded the Head Coach.

CROATIA 4-7 ITALY (0-3)

CROATIA: Lerotic, Nemcic, Brkan, Bracevic, Matjevic, Telisman, Gaiser, Valusek, Pezelj, Zagar, Stipancevic, Tomic, Moulton, Trstenjak. Head Coach: Ungarov

ITALY: Mascia, Pomposelli, Borges, D'Incecco, Renatinha, Barca, Xhaxho, Belli, Marchese, Coppari, Boutimah, Giuliano, Mansueto, Ana Carolina. Head Coach: Salvatore

GOALSCORERS: First half: 3’34” Renatinha (I), 10’37” Borges (I), 17’49” Giuliano (I). Second half: 6’04 Pomposelli (I), 7’29” Borges (I), 7’53” Matijevic (C), 12’18” Pomposelli (I), 15’02” Belli (I), 16’14” and 16’27” Matijevic (C), 19’14” Gaiser (C)

BOOKINGS: Xhaxho (I), Barca (I)

REFEREES: Jelic (CRO), Netkowska (POL), Kramar (CRO)

WOMEN FUTSAL WEEK SUMMER CUP

MATCHDAY ONE – THURSDAY 27 JUNE 2019
Croatia 4-5 Poland
Italy 13-1 Moldova

MATCHDAY TWO – FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2019
Poland 0-4 Italy
Moldova 0-8 Croatia

MATCHDAY THREE – SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2019
Poland 3-1 Moldova
Croatia 4-7 Italy

FINAL STANDINGS
ITALY 9 (+19)
Poland 6 (-1)
Croatia 3 (+3)
Moldova 0 (-23)