FCS Women missed out on their main goal. © FCS

Penalty shootout drama shatters promotion dreams

The women of FC Südtirol will also play in Serie C next season. The Red and Whites lost the decisive promotion match in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

24 May 2026

From: leo

Coach Marco Castellaneta's team, who finished second in Group B of Serie C and had secured their place in the final with a 3-1 away win against Gatteo Mare in the semi-finals, faced Catania in Rome. Despite a very strong performance, their dream was shattered at the last moment. After a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, the Sicilian team prevailed in the penalty shootout.

FCS Women started the match with great energy and made their mark after just one minute: Following a quick counter-attack initiated by Fischer, Bielak found the onrushing Stockner, whose shot, however, only struck the post. The South Tyrolean side continued to pose a threat – repeatedly through Stockner, who was a constant threat. Catania finally threatened in the 23rd minute: Basilotta tested Holzer with a long-range effort, which the goalkeeper comfortably saved. Further danger arose in the 28th minute when Teer's left-footed shot from distance sailed over the bar. Shortly before halftime, FC Südtirol combined beautifully once again: Pföstl laid the ball off with a first-time shot for Stockner, whose volley was easily saved by Macera.

The ball doesn't want to go in

Even after the break, FCS Women came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Just two minutes after the restart, Pföstl set up Santin with a low pass, but her shots were both blocked. FCS remained dominant and created further chances: After a well-worked combination between Fischer and Pföstl, Fischer's shot in the 76th minute went just wide of the left post. Three minutes later, Fischer crossed the ball into the middle after a pass from Tschöll, finding Stockner, whose shot was parried away for a corner by the goalkeeper. In the closing stages, Oberhuber headed just over the bar from a Tschöll corner (89th minute), before Pföstl was denied by Macera shortly afterwards.

In extra time, FCS Women remained the more active team and created two good chances in the first period. In the 6th minute, Tschöll delivered a corner kick into the box, and after a rebound, Stockner bundled the ball over the line, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on goalkeeper Macera. Three minutes later, Pföstl got a shot away in the penalty area after a pass from Santin, but Macera tipped the ball behind for a corner. The South Tyrolean side also had opportunities to take the lead in the second period of extra time. In the 107th minute, Santin sent in a low cross from the right byline, where Fischer got to the ball first at the near post, but her shot from a promising position went just wide.

Catania got off to a better start in the penalty shootout: Basilotta converted confidently, while Macera saved Tschöll's attempt. Subsequently, Palts, Santin, Sgambato, Kiem, Vacchino, Pföstl, and Panarello all converted their spot kicks. In the end, the Sicilian team prevailed 5-3 in the penalty shootout. In the other promotion match, Moncalieri beat Bergamo 1-0 and thus secured promotion to Serie B.

Catania – FC Südtirol Women 5:3 on penalties

CAT: Macera, Di Vittorio, Fuggle, Panarello, Palts, Lillemäe, Basilotta (from 64th Sgambato), Cammarata, Vacchino, Martinelli (from 99th Suvitra), Tar (from 8th Sciuto)
Trainer: Reitano

FCS: Holzer, Ruaben, Oberhuber, Ladstätter, Tschöll, Santin, Fischer, Stockner (from 110th minute: Peer), Kiem, Bielak (from 93rd minute: Costisella), Pföstl.
Trainer: Castellaneta