Italy’s women started their Women’s Futsal Euro Elite Round campaign with a 3-0 win over hosts Slovenia in Laško on 7 October, giving head coach Alfredo Paniccia a victory in his first match in charge. Sara Boutimah opened the scoring before half-time, while Adamatti and Dal’Maz struck early in the second period to put Italy level with Spain on three points at the top of Group 3.
The Italian futsal division reported that the result was built on sustained pressure rather than a fast start on the scoreboard. Italy hit the woodwork twice through Ghilardi during the opening stages and Slovenia goalkeeper Rovan was called into action by Bettioli and Adamatti before Boutimah broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.
Boutimah’s individual effort gave Italy a 1-0 interval lead. It was the decisive reward for a first half in which Paniccia’s side had repeatedly pushed Slovenia back but had initially been unable to turn their territorial control into a goal.
Early second-half goals settled the contest
Italy resumed with the same attacking intent. Bettioli hit the woodwork again shortly after the restart, according to the official report, but Adamatti then doubled the lead in the second minute of the half. Dal’Maz made it 3-0 three minutes later, leaving Slovenia with a substantial deficit after only five minutes of the second period.
The margin reflected Italy’s control across both halves. Slovenia were unable to find a way back into the match, while Italy continued to threaten a fourth goal. Goalkeeper Sestari came close with an effort from her own goal that cleared Rovan but struck the crossbar.
The scoring sequence also shows why the result became secure so quickly. Italy had needed 17 minutes to make their first-half pressure count, but added two goals within three minutes after the interval. That converted a narrow lead into a three-goal advantage before Slovenia could establish any momentum.
| Time | Goal | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 17th minute | Sara Boutimah | Italy 1-0 Slovenia |
| Second minute of second half | Adamatti | Italy 2-0 Slovenia |
| Fifth minute of second half | Dal’Maz | Italy 3-0 Slovenia |
Paniccia selected Sestari in goal, with Bettioli, Coppari, Adamatti and Boutimah in his starting five. Carturan, Mansueto, Vanelli, Virdis, Ghilardi, Barca, Dal’Maz, Ferrara and De Siena were among the players available from the bench. Slovenia’s Lozar and Italy’s Ferrara were booked, according to the match details.
Spain now provide the immediate test
Italy’s next Group 3 match was scheduled against Spain at 16:30 on 8 October. Spain also began with three points after beating France 5-2, meaning the teams started the second round jointly first, with Slovenia and France still without a point.
France and Slovenia were both on zero points, so the winner of Italy-Spain would end the second round ahead of the loser. A draw would leave Italy and Spain level on four points after two matches.
The Italian federation described the Spain match as one for group leadership and said it carried the possibility of Italy securing qualification for the finals mathematically. The supplied schedule places Italy’s final group fixture against France at 15:00 on 10 October, while Spain are due to meet Slovenia later that day.
That makes the Slovenia win more than a positive opening result: it gave Italy three points and a three-goal winning margin before the meeting with the reigning three-time European champions. Spain’s 5-2 victory over France was also a three-goal result, so neither side held a goal-difference advantage over the other after the first round.
For Italy, the first task was to make a convincing start under Paniccia. The 3-0 scoreline, clean sheet and the spread of goals across Boutimah, Adamatti and Dal’Maz delivered that. The next fixture will determine whether that opening control can be carried into the match that directly affects first place in Group 3.