Benetton beat Cardiff to become first Italian side to reach a 'European' semi-final

The home side had to come from behind to beat the two-time EPCR Challenge Cup champions

HISTORIC: Benetton’s Tomas Albornoz celebrates at the final whistle as Benetton reach the Challenge Cup semi-final. Pic: Giuseppe Fama/IMPHO

Benetton have made history by becoming the first Italian team to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament as they came from behind to beat two-time EPCR Challenge Cup champions Cardiff 27-23 at Stadio Monigo.

Having built up a ten-point lead in the first half, the home side found themselves trailing by the same margin after a bad start to the second period, but they hit back to clinch the win - and a semi-final trip to Toulon - with a juggling corner try from Marcus Watson with ten minutes to go.