San Marino Talent Cup: second edition of the tournament kicks off on 18 August

After the brilliant organisation of the inaugural edition, which saw Bologna prevail in the final on the artificial turf of Dogana against Perugia (3-2), the San Marino Talent Cup is ready to take centre stage again right after the mid-August holiday. The tournament promoted by the San Marino Football Federation, open to Under-18 and Under-19 sides, has seen the confirmed entry of last year’s two finalists (for this reason designated as seeds for the two days), along with Cesena and San Marino Academy. The newcomers, of the highest prestige, go by the names of Ascoli and Sassuolo.

The six teams, split into two groups of three by draw (apart from the two seeds), will play the qualifying phase at the Acquaviva stadium and at the “Ezio Conti” stadium in Dogana on 18, 20 and 22 August according to the following schedule:

The finals are scheduled for Monday 24 August and will follow this programme – which will also involve the Montecchio facility.

Qualifying phase matches will be played over 90 minutes, after which – in the event of a draw – a penalty shoot-out will be held, with no extra time played. A shoot-out victory will guarantee two points to the winning team, one to the losing side. To determine the standings in the event of a points tie between two or three teams, the criteria applied – in order – will be: i) points earned in head-to-head matches; ii) goal difference in group matches; iii) higher number of goals scored; iv) drawing of lots. The limit on availablesubstitutions is set at seven, whiledisqualification for accumulated bookings is set at two yellow cards.