Serie A1 2026/27 Italian Floorball League: Matchdays 1 and 2

Alessio Casamassima

11 hours ago

5 min read

Two matches, two radically different stories, and a weekend that already encapsulates the essence and the challenges awaiting a revamped Spartak Floorball Milano in the new 2026/27 season. Their debut in the Serie A1 Italian Floorball Championship took the blue-and-whites on a veritable rollercoaster of emotions: from a harsh lesson handed to them by one of the league's heavyweights to an extraordinary, heart-stopping comeback sealed by a golden goal. Let’s see how it unfolded.

Campionato di Floorball Italiano Serie A1 2026/27 primo weekend

Results from the Serie A1 floorball league weekend

SPARTAK MILANO	2	14	VIKING ROMA
DRAGONS	6	5	GEAS SESTO
DRAGONS	2	1 (DR)	VIKING ROMA
SSV BOZEN	16	2	SV STERZING
SPARTAK MILANO	7	6 (OT)	GEAS SESTO

The 2026/27 season has inevitably begun as a time of renewal for Spartak Milano. The white-and-blue squad heads into the new campaign with a radically altered look, forced to contend with a necessary generational shift and significant absences: the retirements of two true pillars—Giuzzi, the club's most decorated coach, and Andrea "Mister Comeback" Koschitz—have left a major void, compounded by the enforced layoff of one of the team's most prolific players, Davide Fornari, who remains sidelined following a severe injury sustained at the end of last season. Despite all this, following a scorching summer, play resumed in September, and the court has already delivered its initial verdicts, revealing both the limitations of a team still very much a work in progress and an extraordinary level of resilience.

Spartak Milan vs. Viking: a heavy defeat

The opening match of the season could hardly have been more challenging. On Saturday, September 26, playing on their home turf in Madone, Spartak Milano faced Viking Roma—a solid, well-drilled, and deep squad widely tipped as a top contender for the championship title.

Despite the inherent difficulties of integrating so many new faces into the lineup, Spartak’s approach was anything but timid. For the first two periods, the *Biancoblù* held their ground, displaying tactical discipline and immense defensive effort. Viking understandably dictated play, controlling possession without ever forcing the pace, yet the Milan defense managed to withstand the pressure—at least during the opening period. Milan trailed by just two goals in that first frame, a decidedly encouraging deficit when compared to the gap that would open up as the game wore on.

In the second period, Spartak even attempted to push higher up the pitch; the team stepped up its intensity and found its confidence, scoring two fine goals that reignited their hopes and created the genuine impression that they could stay in the match. Despite the goals from Matteo van de Loo and Arvin, the turning point for the worse unfortunately coincided with the capital side's fourth goal. From that moment on, the white-and-blues' mental and physical resilience began to falter. The team lost its cohesion and composure, ceasing to fight with the same conviction shown in the opening minutes. A clinical and ruthless Roma side capitalized on this, running riot in the final, decisive period by exploiting every opening to seal a 14–2 victory. It was a heavy defeat that highlighted just how much work lies ahead for the new coach, Brembol, if he is to bridge the gap with the league's elite; nevertheless, the match provided valuable insights into the need to manage moments of psychological slump.

Spartak Milano vs. Geas: decided by Golden Goal

If Saturday’s match had left everyone’s morale in the dumps, Sunday morning in Carnago set the stage for a completely different spectacle. Spartak faced Sesto Geas—a young, spirited, and talented squad fresh off an exceptional performance just 24 hours earlier, where they had nearly pulled off an upset against the reigning champions, the Dragons.

The match on September 27th proved to be an epic battle from the very start, played at a blistering pace and frequently interrupted by particularly strict officiating; the referees chose to whistle for even the slightest physical contact following a very physical first half. Amidst these constant stoppages, the Spartak side on the court displayed a completely revitalized attitude, maintaining the lead for long stretches of the game despite facing relentless pressure from the *Rossoneri*. The Milan team looked livelier and more organized, thanks in part to tactical adjustments introduced by Coach Brembol, who opted to field two lines using different systems: the first employing the usual 2-1-2 formation, and the second a 2-2-1 setup with Arvin acting as the "pointer." It was a decision that ultimately paid off.

Campionato di Floorball Italiano Serie A1 2026/27 primo weekend - Spartak Milano vs Geas Sesto

Individual moments of brilliance and the old guard making the difference.

Geas applies suffocating pressure, with Milan players systematically double-teamed the moment they gain possession of the ball. In the first half, Spartak is limited to counter-attacks and quick individual bursts; Sesto pushes hard, yet it is Milan—bolstered by the experience of their veteran players—who find the net. The undisputed star of the day is Beccarini, who delivers a monster performance capped by four goals. Each is scored in a different way, showcasing his immense repertoire: a volley, a goal scored while driving forward with the ball, one born of pure instinct, and a final strike that highlights his tactical intelligence. It is a masterclass of a performance that deservedly earns him the MVP title and proves just how indispensable the "old guard" remains.

However, the most spectacular goal of the entire weekend belongs to Borto. He stars in a highlight-reel, coast-to-coast play: winning the ball in his own half, he gains valuable ground, wreaks havoc by dribbling past almost the entire opposing team while on the move, and—after a few fortunate bounces during challenges—finishes his run with a surgical missile into the top corner. Goalkeeper Sicchiero then seals the result, pulling off miraculous saves—particularly in the first and second halves, when Sesto was applying the most intense pressure.

The final thrill, the storm, and the magic of overtime.

In the third period, however, the script threatened to flip dramatically. A few lapses in concentration by the blue-and-white defense allowed Sesto to storm back into the game and take the lead. For the first time in the match, Spartak found themselves chasing the score, and the situation grew even more complicated when Brembol picked up a two-minute penalty for dissent.

It seemed like the perfect recipe for a total collapse. Instead, the team showed incredible grit: the bench kept its cool, the squad tightened its ranks while shorthanded, and they summoned the last reserves of mental energy to turn the match around, equalizing at 6-6 just as regulation time expired.

The game went to a single overtime period, where a moment of pure genius decided the outcome. After weaving through the opposing defense, Brembol feinted a shot and delivered a brilliant assist right in front of the net to Zinni; acting like a true captain, Zinni scored the golden goal to make it 7-6, sparking wild celebrations among the blue-and-whites. It was a victory worth far more than just two points in the standings: it proved that this Spartak team, despite facing countless challenges, possesses a huge heart.