Monza, Italy—Nearly 100 young players competed in the finals of the Trofeo della Pace (Peace Trophy) interethnic football tournament.
The 12th Peace Trophy tournament was organized by the Monza chapter of UPF together with the local branch of UISP (Italian Sporting Union for Everyone).
The players, representing diverse nationalities and backgrounds, gathered at Monza’s Sada Soccer Stadium on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
Carlo Chierico, the director of the UPF-Monza, opened the tournament. Then the competition among three teams for the Freedom Cup took place. Pavia's Sprar team got the best of the Color Team and the All Star Refugees, winning the cup.
The Peace Trophy tournament began with the competition for fifth place between Real Monza and Atletico XX Settembre. The match ended in a tie of 1-1; then Real Monza got the victory, 4 to 3, in the penalty shootout.
The contest to decide the third and fourth places was played between CPIA Monza Adult Education Center and UPF Sport for Peace, the 2016 Peace Trophy champions. The match was resolved with the result of 4-2 in favor of the boys of the CPIA.
The culmination of the event was the finals between Black United and CMR 50 (Center Mamma Rita). After several attempts in recent years, CMR 50 proved that they were the strongest team this year, with a result of 4-1.
Despite the friendly atmosphere, all the players showed that they took every match very seriously.
"An event that has given us a lot of emotions," said Silvano Appiani, the managing director of sport of the City of Monza. "We have seen matches that were really fought and with a higher technical level than expectations. But above all, it was a wonderful afternoon of sport and friendship. The Peace Trophy confirms one of the most significant events in the city for the strengthening of social cohesion.”
Various authorities presented the prizes, with cups for the teams, and medals and gadgets for all the players. The Peace Trophy champions and the winners of the individual awards were awarded by outgoing Mayor Roberto Scanagatti.
The numerous onlookers contributed to the success of the event with their enthusiastic support of all the competitors.
The next Peace Trophy event will be the fifth edition of the Women's Volleyball Interethnic Tournament, scheduled for September. The 13th edition of the football tournament will be held in 2018. These events help us to realize the importance of sports as a means to bring people together.