by Guisela Chiarella
Interviews: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; FVG deputy governor, Mario Anzil; Ermes Canciani, President of the FVG Regional Committee of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND), which is part of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)
In a city that lives and breathes both sea and sport, Trieste turned out Tuesday to celebrate the young athletes who brought home a national soccer title — and a renewed sense of regional pride.
The Under-19 representative team of Friuli Venezia Giulia, fresh off their victory at the Torneo delle Regioni in Sicily, was honored in a formal ceremony at home, where Governor Massimiliano Fedriga hailed their win as a symbol of something far greater than goals scored.
“Today we celebrate a major football triumph on a national level,” Fedriga told the crowd, “but we also honor the strength of sport itself — a force that shapes the citizens of tomorrow.”
The regional team, coached by Roberto Bortolussi, defeated defending champions Piemonte Valle d’Aosta in the final match. Wearing shirts proudly branded with Io sono FVG (“I am FVG”), the players showed not just skill and determination, but the kind of unity that, Fedriga said, reflects the values of this borderland region.
“Young people who commit to any sport learn to make sacrifices, to handle setbacks, to rise again after a fall,” he added. “They learn what it means to be part of a team, a society, a community — like ours here in Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
The victory comes amid a broader effort to promote the region’s identity and dynamism through sport. The Io sono FVGcampaign, featured prominently on the team’s jerseys, has become more than a slogan — it’s a growing brand, and one the regional government sees as a tool for visibility on the national stage.
“Sport is an extraordinary promotional vehicle,” Fedriga noted. “Our brand, when tied to professional and amateur sports, is achieving results that are both unexpected and deeply encouraging.”
Vice-Governor Mario Anzil, responsible for sport and youth development, was also in attendance and praised the team’s dedication. “This is more than just a win. It speaks to the excellent health of youth football in our region — a region that has produced top players for both Serie A and the national team.”
As the sun dipped behind the Karst Plateau, the players were celebrated not just as champions of a tournament, but as local heroes in a city and a region that continues to believe in the unifying power of sport. For Trieste, and for Friuli Venezia Giulia, the win is more than a moment — it’s a marker of identity, and a sign of what’s to come.
