Champions!
On September 23rd, 2010, the Nazionale Calcio Regno Delle Due Sicilie participated in the second edition of the Trofeo del Mediterraneo, a three-team tournament that included Gozo FA from Malta, and FC Castellana from Avellino. The teams met at Stadio Comunale di Mercogliano, in the Province of Avellino (Campania).
Regno delle Due Sicilie Badge
Due Sicilie and Gozo both competed earlier this year in the Maltese archipelago at the Viva World Cup, an international football tournament for stateless nations not recognized by FIFA.
It was decided before the contest that a triangular format will be played, meaning each match will only be 45 minutes long, allowing the squads to face two different adversaries without playing over 90 minutes.
The tournament kicked off at 15:30 between Gozo and the home side, Castellana. To the dismay of the home crowed the visitors pounded their host 4-0. After intermission, Due Sicilie were welcomed onto the pitch and picked up where the Maltese left off, easily dispatching their opponent 6-0, sending the Castellanese home early.
The final 45 minutes saw the two victors face-off in the deciding match. Due Sicilie dominated most of the game and took an early advantage with a goal by striker Fabio Sperandeo in the 18th minute. Sperandeo scored a brace in the 31st, which proved to be invaluable. Gozo fought back, making it interesting with a goal by John Camilleri in the 38th minute, but a red card dashed any hopes of a comeback as the Duosiciliani easily defended against the short-handed opponent.
With their 2-1 victory Due Sicilie were crowned champions of the tournament and won the club's first silverware.
Forza Due Sicilie! Avanti Sud!
By New York Scugnizzo
The squad: Raffaele Gragnaniello, Antonio Cozzolino, Alberto Savino, Giovanni Langella, Genny del Buono, Massimo Russo, Raffaele Russo, Roberto Palumbo, Alfonso Iennaro, Raffaele De Martino, Marco Tofano, Fabio Sperandeo, Vincenzo Varriale, Benvenuto Palmieri, Cristian Cioce,
(Photos courtesy of duesicilie.org)
