Great excitement for the Italian Team Championship of Paralympic Table Football
It was not just a sporting event, but an important moment of joy and inclusion that brought together athletes, teams, chaperones and managers from all over Italy. The weekend in Jesolo of the Italian Paralympic Table Football Team Championship provided many emotions. “We experienced an extraordinary event, with a very high level of participation and enthusiasm that fills us with pride – said the president of the Italian Paralympic Football Table Football Federation (FPICB) Francesco Bonanno -. The technical level grows from year to year, but what makes us really happy is the spirit of inclusion and friendship that animated every match. Jesolo 2025 is proof that sports can break down barriers and bring people together.”
Villaggio Marzotto (which hosted the matches for the fifth consecutive year) decreed the podium of the Italian Team Championship 2025. The gold medal went to Polha Varese (with the lineup composed of Roberto Silvestro, Paolo De Florio, Angelita Alves and Alen Sonza), which preceded Powersport Basilicata (Luigi Iannone, Gianluca Vuodo, Giacomo Paolo Rossi and Corrado Montecaggi), while third place went to ASD in Movimento (Domenico Smario, Cristian Guizzardi, Luciano Gigante and Giovanni Rotino).
The team was the winner of the Italian team championship 2025.
In the Jesolo arena, the inclusive championship was also staged, a tournament that combined FPICB and able-bodied athletes and where the Powersport Basilicata – EFL Lega 5 Tocchi teams triumphed (with Paralympians Iannone, Montecaggi, Rossi and Vuodo competing alongside Simone Rossoni, Eros Marcon, Mirko Placido and Michael Falsaperla). Second place for Polha Varese – Brescello (Silvestro, Sonza, DeFlorio, Alves along with Cornacchione, Gatta, Bedogni and Porretto), while in third place was La Barena – Genova (Perin, Bonaldo, Gerotto, Boem who battled along with Caruso, Parello Pietro, Parello Salvatore and Asciore Raffaele).
They were the best of the day.
“They were days filled with emotions, smiles and great team spirit that illuminated a tournament that will remain in the hearts of all the protagonists of Jesolo 2025,” Bonanno added.
But in the Venetian city, there was also space and time to organize the Normodotati Promotional Championship, which was the prerogative of the Genoa (Caruso, Parello Pietro and Salvatore, Asciore) vs. Fiorano (Valsoni, Palladino, Del Rosario and Franchini) lineup. EFL Lega 5 Tocchi took third place (with athletes Rossoni, Marcon, Placido and Falsaperla).
Still with inclusion in mind, the Lightning Tournament was organized, which saw DIR (Relational Intellective Disabled) and able-bodied athletes take the field side by side. Michele Del Vecchio and Alessia Ruggeri triumphed, edging out Gianni Di Stefano- Simone Orlando, Cristina De Michele – Silvio Cusini and Pancrazio Giacobbe – Natalia Secci.
Also among the awards were the Lightning Tournament Doubles Dir with the success of Mediterranea Eventi of Messina (Cristina De Michele and Pancrazio Giacobbe) and the National Doubles Championship – Category Dir with Prosport Ravanusa in the first two places (Rosario Callari and Giuseppe Farruggio – Salvatore D’Auria and Angelo Caci), ASD Mimì Rodolico in third (Vincenzo Licari and Karo Zelante) and Pegaso AIAS Matera in fourth (Michele Del Vecchio and Gianni Di Stefano).
A special award was presented to Giancarlo La Greca, DIR national technical contact person, for his great work with passion and dedication on behalf of inclusive sports. The award came from the hands of Vito Sasanelli, FISDIR national school referent, testifying once again to the synergy between institutions, coaches and families that makes the movement stronger and stronger.
“A ranking that is worth much more than a sporting result: it is proof that sport really is of everyone and for everyone,” specified Bonanno, who wanted to thank the City of Jesolo, which once again hosted this great event. “Thanks to the athletes who committed themselves, to the teams, to the volunteers, to everyone who worked to make this event a success. And thanks to the sponsors who supported us. Paralympic, able-bodied and DIR athletes together wrote a story that will remain in our hearts forever: proof that sport for all is not a slogan, but a reality that vibrates with energy and inclusion.”
Finally, also intervened – with a video message – Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli: “A greeting of course to the whole Federation, but also to all the athletes, technicians, coaches, to all those who every day contribute to carry out important projects for the inclusion in life that is not only sports but also social, of all people with disabilities who are part of this very large Paralympic family. Of course I greet President Bonanno with affection, but also I want to greet and thank for the hospitality the Marzotto Village, a truly extraordinary environment where you can do sports and also develop many relationships. I thank you of course for all that you do, not only at these important moments of competition, but all year round. Best of luck to all the extraordinary athletes and to all of you who are there today.”
