The U19 team from South Tyrol was eliminated from the regional tournament. © LND Bozen

Two dreams shattered: South Tyrol's boys eliminated

On the third matchday of the 61st edition of the regional tournament in Sicily, the last two remaining teams from South Tyrol also failed.

14 April 2025

From: sn/pm

The U23 women's and U17 boys' teams suffered the same fate on Sunday, and the U19 and U15 teams suffered the same fate a day later – the latter bowing out in dramatic fashion. Coach Wolfgang Crepaz's team beat Trento 24-46 thanks to goals from Niederbacher (2th) and Dal Cortivo (0th), but it wasn't enough to advance to the quarterfinals.

With five points, the South Tyroleans had the same number of points as Veneto and Friuli, but the two opponents had a better goal difference and thus advanced to the last eight. Nevertheless, the U15s looked back on a strong tournament. For the first time, the team remained undefeated in the competition, and for the second year in a row, they had a chance of reaching the quarterfinals on the final matchday.

U19 fails against Trento

The U19s, on the other hand, bowed out with just one point from three matches. In the derby against Trento, they suffered a 0-1 defeat, securing their opponents a place in the quarter-finals. The game started off evenly matched, with few chances. Schweitzer had the best chance for Bolzano with a great shot from 20 meters, but Djata spectacularly tipped the ball onto the crossbar. In the second half, Perugini scored with a long-range shot into the far corner (70'). Bolzano then pushed for an equalizer, but neither Mueller nor Dalle Ave nor Stecher could find the net.

In a derby of no sporting significance – both teams are already eliminated – the U17s from South Tyrol and Trento drew 1-1 in Favara. This puts Bolzano in third place in the final standings of the four-team group format, ahead of Trento, thanks to the better goal difference. The match was characterized by fatigue, and both teams appeared to have suffered from the tournament. Trento took the lead through Albertini (25th minute), but Marku deservedly equalized (77th minute) after a pass from Esmaiil. Bolzano had a chance to win in the closing stages through Esmaiil, but his shot went just wide of the post.