A weekend dedicated to football, fun and togetherness: this was the spirit that animated the fifth edition of the Pulcino d’Oro Veneto Regional Tournament, which took place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May in Bovolone, in the heart of the province of Verona. Once again, the event combined sporting passion, team spirit and a sense of community, generating contagious enthusiasm.
Almost 700 young athletes took to the field, with 32 boys‘ teams and 12 girls‘ teams from across the region. Two intense days of exciting matches, passionate support and a joyful atmosphere that involved not only the young footballers, but also families, volunteers, citizens and institutions. Not to mention the colourful and highly popular parade through the streets of the centre of Bovolone on Friday evening, with the draw for all 44 clubs.
On the sporting front, the men’s tournament was won by Calcio Montebelluna 1919, who confirmed their status as champions by repeating last year’s success in an exciting final against Virtus Verona, Villafranca Veronese and Alba Borgo Roma. In the women’s tournament, Castelnuovo del Garda lifted the Pulcino d’Oro Girls trophy after a brilliant and exciting run.
But the real success went far beyond the results on the pitch. The entire event conveyed the true spirit of the Pulcino d’Oro: healthy competition, mutual respect, teamwork and friendship. Values that were evident in every gesture, every match and every smile. ‘Another great success for the Bovolone stage of the Pulcino d’Oro,’ commented Mayor Orfeo Pozzani and Councillor for Sport Maicol Ferrari, “which for the fifth consecutive year has brought a truly special tournament here to Bovolone. Congratulations to Bovolone 1918 for their impeccable organisation and thanks to the Pulcino d’Oro organisers for choosing our city once again. Regardless of the results, we can say that everyone was a winner: we saw fairness, enthusiasm and lots of fun.”
In addition to the overall winners, prizes were also awarded to the protagonists of the various finals:
- Pulcino d’Argento: Liventina
- Pulcino di Bronzo: Pedemonte
- Pulcino Gialloblù: Montecchio Maggiore
- Pulcino Arcobaleno: Red: La Rocca Monselice | Green: Dolo 1909 Pianiga | White: Taglio di Donada | Blue: Liapiave
In the women’s tournament, now in its second edition:
- Pulcino Argento Girls: Cadore
- Pulcino Bronzo Girls: Chievo Verona Women
- Pulcino Giallo–Blu Girls: SPAL
A particularly touching moment was ‘La Grande Sfida’ (The Great Challenge), a special, inclusive match played on Sunday afternoon, featuring local organisations involved in social issues. A symbolic match, played in front of packed stands, which reminded everyone that sport, beyond the result, can be a great tool for solidarity and cohesion.
A tournament that excites, engages and leaves its mark. After the great success of the Bovolone stage, the Pulcino d’Oro continues its journey: the next stage is on Sunday 18 May in Emilia–Romagna, with new young champions ready to write another beautiful page in the history of sport.
Looking towards Levico Terme: a stellar international edition
The Pulcino d’Oro is now looking ahead to its tenth edition of the International Tournament, scheduled for 12 to 15 June in Levico Terme, in Valsugana (Trentino). And the prospects are thrilling.
With 64 men’s and 16 women’s teams arriving from all over Italy and abroad, the event will feature some of the most prestigious names in world youth football. Defending the title will be the two-time champions River Plate, arriving from Argentina, but the big news this year will be the participation of Barcelona, for the first time at the Pulcino d’Oro. Other top European teams are also eagerly awaited, such as PSV Eindhoven from the Netherlands, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon from Portugal, and Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig from Germany. Italy will be represented by a line-up of the highest calibre, including Inter, Juventus, Milan and Roma, as well as clubs such as Parma, Bologna, Atalanta and Genoa, confirming the technical and educational value of this extraordinary event.
The Pulcino d’Oro is not only a showcase for young talent, but also an initiative that combines sport and solidarity: part of the registration fees will be donated to charity, as is tradition.