The Italian championship for men was concluded during the weekend. Despite the fact that there is only a regular season and no play-offs, the season was very exciting until the last minute. Like the last two years the title was assigned only in the very last weekend, played on May 15-16.
This year there were actually three teams with hopes of winning the title until the end: the reigning champions SSV Diamante, GLS L’Aquila and FBC Bozen. The team from L’Aquila won their two matches and remained in the race. The very last decisive match was played between SSV Diamante and FBC Bozen. SSV Diamante could at this stage at the best become silver medallists by winning the match. A victory for FBC would bring them the title, while otherwise GLS L’Aquila would become Italian champions for the very first time.
The spectators could witness a very well played and thrilling game, where the lead shifted continuously between the two teams. With six minutes to play FBC scored two quick goals giving them a 7-5 lead. SSV Diamante took out the goalkeeper and made a goal with 34 seconds left, but they never managed to equalize. This was the third time that FBC Bozen won the title.
Best Junior player awarded for the 1st time
On the 15th of May the “Trofeo Ezio Pace” was for the first time given to the best Junior player of the season. The award has been created by GLS L’Aquila and the Italian Floorball Association in memory of Ezio Pace, the young player that so tragically perished in the earthquake that hit L’Aquila in April 2009. It was a very solemn and touching moment when Fabian Hafner from FC Fanatics Gargazon received the award by the team from L’Aquila.
Previously during the season SHC Firelions Serenessima won the female category ahead of Black Widows Vipiteno, while the U19 title was won by FC Fanatics Gargazon with SSV Diamante arriving second.
It could also be noted that the regional U14 championship in Lazio was won by Scuola Svizzera Roma. The youth movement in the capital is flourishing with more than 110 licensed players and a total of 60 regional matches played in the U11 and U14 categories.
Source & Photo: Italian Floorball Association
