Five-a-side football: Junior Sport Lab wins the regional title in Piazza Armerina

Ten victories in the provincial tournament, two in the first regional phase, a success in the semifinal of the Final Four and a draw with a toast to penalties in the final. Overall 125 goals scored and just 32 conceded. These amazing numbers summarize the amazing success of Junior Sport Lab in the Under 15 5-a-side football championship.

After dominating the regular season, the team coached by Matteo Aquilia repeated itself in Sicily, qualifying for the prestigious final act, staged at the “PalaFerraro” in Piazza Armerina. In the semi-final, New Team Caltanissetta overcame (5-2) thanks to the goals of: Samuele Bonfiglio, Vincenzo Contenta, Lorenzo Spinella and Stefano Calà, author of a brace. The progress of the last and most important match scheduled against Sporting Club Scicli was fascinating. Despite the three “woodwork” hit and the 2-0 against in the second half, the JSL throws its heart over the obstacle and equalizes the scores (2-2) in regulation time; Cristian Giardina and Spinella scored. Nothing changes in extra time and so we go to the exciting and cruel “lottery” of penalties, in which the opponents fail on two occasions due to saves by Ernesto Ricciardo. However, the transformations of the young black and greens are impeccable, and they can celebrate when the fourth penalty is bagged.

In the awards ceremony, the president of the FIGC Sicilia Sandro Morgana and the delegate of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto Giuseppe Molino presented the trophy and medals to the newly crowned regional champion footballers. “This is a group of 2008s and 2009s that I have seen growing up, since they were little – declared Mister Aquilia immediately -. Last year we were left with a bitter taste after the elimination in the semi-final, on penalties and again against Sporting Club Scicli, while this time it went well for us. I am proud and very happy for the prestigious goal deservedly achieved by the boys.”