(By John Economos).
Apia Leichhardt Tigers Youth squad for a record 10th year will fly out of Sydney on Saturday evening the 28th January with Singapore Airlines bound for Italy, to compete in the World's oldest, and most prestigious annual Under 19s Club Tournament at Viareggio, based in the Tuscany region of Northern Italy.
The coastal City of Viareggio represents the 'Riviera' beach strip of Italy, wedged on the Northern shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, 25 miles west of Pisa.
This prestigious Youth Cup was first established back in 1949 when 16 crack European Youth Club sides battled for a spot in the Final. The 1949 inaugural Final saw Italian giants A.C. Milan defeat Lazio.
Since 1949, the Viareggio Cup Tournament has rapidly expanded from the initial 16 participating Club teams to now embrace no less than 48 Club squads from all over the World, divided into 12 Groups of four teams.
Apia's current Youth squad travelling to Viareggio will not know their three Club Group opponents until the 2012 Cup official draw is made next Tuesday, 3rd January 2012.
Earlier this year (February), in the last Cup, Apia Leichhardt Tigers was bracketed in Group 4 alongside Italian giants Inter Milan, the Select Viareggio XI and a Select Serie D XI.
Inter Milan defeated Apia 3-0 then steamed ahead to ultimately win the Viareggio Cup Final, defeating Fiorentina 2-0.
The 2012 Viareggio Cup will be the 64th'Torneo Mondiale di Calcio' staged, and had attracted a Tournament record of no less than 55 Club applications for entry. This number has now been cut back to 48.
The 'Viareggio Carnavale Tournament' has launched the playing careers of numerous International stars.
The 2012 Viareggio Cup Tournament will have squads entered from no less than 19 nations, including:
Australia-(Apia L.T.), Africa, Belgium (Anderlecht), Brasil (4 teams), Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England-(Newcastle United), Greece (Panathinaikos), Italy, Japan-(first time), Norway, Paraguay, Russia (first time), Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey (Galatasary), the United States (New York), and Uzbekistan.
The Cup Tournament kicks off on Monday February 6th, 2012.
As traditionally has been the case, Italian Youth Club teams are expected to once again heavily dominate this 48 team competition.
Italian Youth squads competing will include, Atalanta, Empoli, Fiorentina, Genoa, incumbent Cup Champions Inter Milan, Lazio, Lecce, Milan, Napoli, Palermo, Parma, Reggina, AS Roma, Sampdoria , Siena, Torino plus some regional Rep: sides.
In the 63 year history of the Viareggio Cup Tournament, no English club has ever been able to win it.
In fact Ipswich Town has been the only English Club to have made the Cup Final (1981 and 82), but to be defeated by A.S.Roma and Fiorentina respectively.
Italian giant clubs have been the major conquerors of this Cup Tournament.
Fiorentina and Milan have each won the Tournament on no less than eight occasions with Juventus having won it seven times.
Apia's industrious Chairman, Mr Tony Raciti, (with Emanuele Ziino as Team Manager), stated last night:
"We are extremely proud that this will be Apia Leichhardt Tigers' 10th year that our historic Club has been accepted, and invited to compete in this global, historically-famous, Club Youth Tournament".
Mr Raciti elaborated: "Our players will gain immeasurable vast knowledge whilst on this tour to return to Australia as far better educated players.
"They will gain a much stronger, burning degree of desire, to lift their very own game quality", ended Raciti.
The tour to Viareggio simultaneously will incorporate a cultural exposure to some of the history and traditions of Italy.
Coach of the Apia Youth squad will be Rod Williams aided by Medical officer Mr David Floro.
CYCLONIC CRUSADE OF ROME.
Upon arrival in Italy, (Sunday morning, January 29th), the Apia Youth squad, coaching and medical staff plus travelling officials, will hit the ground running in the chilly early morning streets of the 'Gateway To Europe'--Rome.
The time has come when Apia kicks-off its cyclonic crusade of Rome.
The Youth squad is quickly escorted from Rome Airport to the 'Fontana di Trevi'- (Trevi Fountain), the 'Spanish Steps', and then it's off to witness the ancient, mega-structured Colosseum.
A flash visit to the ultra expensive Ferrari souvenir shop, (stress ultra expensive), then it's off to see, and hear, Pope Benedict in the spectacular, spacious courtyard (Saint Peter's Square) based in front of the Vatican, which proceeds a tour inside the actual 'Head Office' of the Catholic Church, the magnificent, historic Vatican.
Following the Vatican visit, it's off to the giant Rome Olympico Stadio, constructed for the 1960 Olympics where the Apia squad will attend to watch the Serie A match, AS Roma vs Bologna .
At the conclusion of this match-(late Sunday afternoon), the squad will board their team coach for the five hour arduous journey north, to the coastal town of Viareggio in the Tuscany region of Italy.
As has been the case for the nine previous Viareggio crusades, the Apia Youth squad will be based at the 'Albergo Losanna' family-owned Hotel which the squad will call 'home' for the next two weeks.
Other than the three Cup Group stage games, some arranged warm-ups matches on their off-days have been scheduled. As an added bonus, Apia Youth squad will make two flash one-day visits to witness one of the Seven original ''Wonders Of The World'', the incredible 900 year old plus Leaning Tower of Pisa.
A second day-visit will be to the magnificent, historic, picturesque and romantic City of Florence.
Surely Florence must be one of the most amazingly beautiful ancient, but today still vibrant Cities in the World.
Florence was the birthplace of the historically famous mega-artists, (both left-handers), Leonardo Di Vinci and Michelangelo.
The Apia Youth squad is expected to fly back into Sydney, Monday evening , 13th February.
The Viareggio Travelling Party.
1 Tou-Yeng YANG..From Melbourne.
2 Frank Adrian Proietto.
3 Matthew Joseph Napoli.
4 Patrick Joseph Barba.
5 Jarrod Eli Unicomb..From Sydney.
6 Maxwell James Irish.
7 Adamo Alesandro Raciti.
8 John Christopher Kanayama.
9 Stefan Joseph Giglio.
10 Blake Lewis Armstrong.
11 Bradley Douglas Bartels.
12 Paul Galimi.
13 Simon Russell David Ward.
14 Chris Denkov.
15 Anthony James Max Dahdah .
16 Adrian Stephen Vlastelica.
17 Sam Andrew Salameh.
18 Tyrone Anthony Gatt.
19 Ali Nasreddine.
20 Alexander Gwozdecky.
21 Hudson Robert FANANI. NSW - Griffith
22 Jayden Kinces..Melbourne.
SYDNEY - MELBOURNE TOUR OFFICALS
23 Emanuele Ziino..Team Manager
24 Salvatore Barletta..Director.
25 David Floro..Medical Officer.
26 John Economos..Media Attache.
27 Rodney Phillip Williams..Head Coach.
28 Noons Annunziatto.
29 Anthony Raciti..Director.
30 John Mellino...Director.
31 Cosimo Catalano.
