Michael Cia (number 7) shot SSV Naturns into luck. © David Laner

In the final showdown: Cia shoots Naturns into luck

With Partschins, the champion was already determined, as were the three relegated teams Albeins, Passeier and Eppan - but still: What the last state league matchday had to offer was hard to beat in terms of drama.

28 May 2023

From: fop

The only decision of the 2022/23 season was between SSV Bruneck and SSV Naturns - and in a direct duel. They went into the last 90 minutes tied for second place in the table. The winner would move into the playoff against the runner-up in the Trentino regional league, the loser bites the bullet. And in the end this winner is called SSV Naturns!

The yellow-blues, with their good mix of players from their own youth department and the experienced ex-professionals Hannes Kiem and Michael Cia, won the “final” for second place 1-0. It was also Cia who scored the celebrated winning goal in the 51st minute. For the 34-year-old from Unterland, it is another absolute shining moment in the late autumn of his career, which has taken him to a total of 14 professional appearances in 250 years in Serie B and Serie C.

Now Benacense is waiting for Naturns

Cia decided a game that was full of excitement for 90 minutes. Both teams acted carefully in front of a great crowd, were focused on not making any crucial mistakes and thereby not taking themselves out of the promotion race. The golden goal in the 51st minute - Cia's ninth of the season - was ultimately decisive. Also because Bruneck then acted on the offensive without any penetration or luck in finishing.

Naturns played with this team in the top game against Bruneck. © David Laner

While the Fuschini team from Bruneck ended the season in third place, Naturns can now dream more than ever of promotion. The Pixner team will face Benacense Riva in the playoff next Sunday, June 4th, which moved past Aquila Trento into second place on the last matchday of the Trentino State League. If SSV Naturns wins, it will follow local rivals Partschins from Lower Vinschger into the top league. The promotion showdown will take place on a neutral field (location still to be determined).

Partschins with a masterful finish

Meanwhile, ASV Partschins said goodbye to the regional football upper house on the last day of the match. The red-blacks fell 1-2 behind against fourth-placed Leifers, but equalized before the break and Daniel Lanthaler scored the lucky punch in the 61st minute to make it 3-2. It was the 20th win of the season for the ultimately confident champion - no other team has scored more three points. The Lomi protégés celebrated accordingly exuberantly after captain Dominik Schnitzer lifted the championship trophy at the end of the game.

At the end of the game, the Partschins players were presented with the championship trophy. © Sarah Mitterer

However, the end of the season was disappointing for SSV Ahrntal, which was at the top for much of the season. The fifth-placed team from “Toule” conceded 2:3 on home soil against St. Martin Moos. With the same result, Ridnauntal won at home against Schenna, while Latsch also celebrated in front of the home crowd in the 1-0 win against Milland. Curious: The three relegated teams Eppan (2:1 in Mühlbach against Gitschberg), Albeins (2:0 against Salurn) and Passeier (3:0 against Terlan) said goodbye victoriously to the 1st amateur league.

Here Michael Gruber scores the interim 1:1 for Ahrntal, but in the end St. Martin won. © Andreas Volgger

The last match day at a glance:

Ahrntal – St. Martin Moos 2:3
Goals: 0:1 Fabian Pacella (16th), 1:1 Michael Gruber (36th), 1:2 Elmar Haller (42nd), 2:2 Stefan Pareiner (46th), 2:3 Walid Sogheir (63rd). )

Laces – Milland 1-0
Goal: 1-0 Cesar Kouame (21.)

Gitschberg Jochtal – Eppan 1:2
Goals: 1:0 Lukas Hofer (24th), 1:1 Lorenz Kostner (46th), 1:2 Lorenz Kostner (71st)

Partschins – Laives 3:2
Goals: 1:0 Armin Rungg (21st), 1:1 Lucas Ausserer Wieser (24th), 1:2 Alex Galassiti (33rd), 2:2 Alexander Nischler (41st), 3:2 Daniel Lanthaler (61st). .)

Ridnaun Valley – Schenna 3:2
Goals: 1:0 Manuel Battiferro Festini (penalty/8th), 1:1 Samuel Ghirardello (28th), 2:1 Philipp Grasl (58th), 2:2 David Iliev (78th), 3:2 Lorenz Grasl (87.)

Albeins – Salurn 2-0
Goals: 1:0 Dennis Fanani (41st), 2:0 Damian Fanani (penalty/79th)

Passeier – Terlano 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Hannes Tschöll (20th), 2:0 Yannick Hofer (38th), 3:0 Theo Hofer (90th)

Bruneck – Naturns 0:1
Goal: 0:1 Michael Cia (51.)

The table: