Empoli emerged victorious in the ninth edition of the International Preliminary Tournament – Memorial A. Gianfranceschi and A. Gradizzi. The Tuscan team secured the final group against Torino and Padova, earning applause from the large audience – more than 3000 people over the course of the three days – and participation in the 11th International Tournament Città Di Bardolino – Memorial G. Chincherini, scheduled for next week (May 2-3).
In addition to the winning team, the following players were awarded: Lorenzo Gassani (Empoli, best player of the tournament), Tommaso Palmigiani (Sassuolo, best goalkeeper), Federico Ferrero (Torino, best defender), Filip Kocic (Montecchio Maggiore, youngest player), Amarah Boothe (only female player), Torino for the best gameplay throughout the tournament, and Uzhgorod for the Fair Play cup. A portion of the proceeds from the final day of the event was also donated to the Ukrainian team – by the organizers’ decision.
“These were three days of great spectacle, with a high level of competition – these are the words of Valentino De Grandi, one of the founding members of the Bardolino Champions Cup – but above all with great fair play, which for us is the greatest prize to award. The organizational machine proved to be perfectly up to the task, thanks solely to the great commitment of the many volunteers who believe in this event, and we are ready to give our best also for next week’s tournament.”
