Under the auspices

“BEYOND ANY BORDERS”

The motto that Marco Antonio De Marchi, President of the Association for Social Promotion “Amici di We Love Football”, has chosen to characterize the 2018 edition of the tournament, summarizes one purpose: to open the horizons, to break down barriers, to meet beyond borders, to dare beyond the limits; in a spirit of continuous improvement of themselves and the world.

Born to score Here we are! From March 28th to April 2nd 2018 the We Love Football Tournament returns to the field in Bologna, charged with renewed energy: to overcome the excellent results of the previous editions, broaden their competitive reach, and open new perspectives of reflection for those who play and those who follow . We like to think that we were born to leave a positive mark on young players and their audience and to deliver important messages for both sport and life – that are the same thing in the WLF philosophy.

A Time for Timeless Champions A very special preview will catalyze the enthusiasm of the audience on the evening of March 28th, with a surprise game of solidarity that will soon be announced in detail. Famous guests of the sporting and artistic world.

The Tournament is back … and doubles The nations represented in the race are Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Holland, Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan. The boundaries are opened, therefore. And not only because this year among the 16 teams of the men’s tournament take over Japan and Canada, but also for the presence of the Second Edition of the Women’s Football Tournament: an all-Italian tournament with 8 teams. In the race: AC Cesena, Bologna F.C. 1909, Internazionale FC, Venezia Women, AC Perugia, AS Roma, Hellas Verona and Udinese Calcio. We are sure that the players will be honored and will give a great show, helping to strengthen the image of football played by girls, more and more popular in the world. The Semifinals and Finals matches will be played in the Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, a real honor for players and players involved.

Do not limit your challenges Break down the internal walls that push us to consider our limits as impassable, and try to overcome prejudices and clichés. A representation of the Antiracist World Cup will play in the solidarity game that will be played on the afternoon of April 1 at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara between mixed teams.

We Love Rwanda: a world of solidarity effectively operating to remove the huge disparities between different parts of the world. In this edition, We Love Football renews his collaboration with the solidarity of WeLoveRwanda, which is a support and development program in favor of the Rwandan people created by the no-profit organization “Associazione Solidarietà Terzo Mondo” based in Sondrio.

A Twin-Village The WLF 2018 sports citadel has twinned with the Village Without Barriers created by the “Fondazione Don Mario Campidori”, a no-profit organization. This Village is in Tolè, on the Apennines, and it is dedicated to holiday stays for disabled people and their families. The center organizes recreational and artistic activities open to all in the spirit of friendship and integration: in fact, Marco Antonio De Marchi has been to the Village to give several meetings on the values of sport. The events of We Love Football held there will host the self-financing sale of chocolate eggs.

Sports & Friendship Unlimited Inauguration with dinner of sport and friendship, a party without borders, with the blessing given by the Archbishop of Bologna HE Monsignor Matteo Maria Zuppi: it will be the one that in the evening of March 29th will gather all the teams in the beautiful FICO international frame.

Awards, Trophies an Cups
WLF Male Cup: 1st Place; 2nd Place; 3rd Place; Best Player of the Final; Best Goalkeeper; Best Defender; Best Midfielder; Best Forward; Leading goal scorer; Fair play; Best Coach; Plaque to each Team of the Tournament.

WLF Female Cup: 1st Place; 2nd Place; Best Player of the Triangular Tournament; Plaque to each Team of the Tournament.

WLF Award for the Final’s Referee; WLF Award for the Final’s Linesman. Archbishop S.E. Mons. Matteo Maria Zuppi Plaque. Diocesan Representative for the Pastoral Care of Sports, Tourism and Pilgrimages, Don Massimo Vacchetti Plaque. Councilor for Tourism Promotion of the City of Bologna Matteo Lepore Plaque. Undersecretary or Region Andrea Rossi Plaque. Head of Security and Legality of the Emilia-Romagna Region Gian Guido Nobili Plaque.

One step away from the two towers…that stand tall and free to a boundless sky, and as “there is no 2 without 3” the exciting Third Edition of We Love Football begins. We are waiting for you all!

As the President of Friends of We Love Football Association of Social Promotion, and Testimonial of the European Prize EFUS for social integration through sport, I would like to thank Stefania Tschantret, President of Oblivion Production, who, like me, has believed from the very beginning in the values involved in this extraordinary project. I also thank my entire We Love Football team and those who enthusiastically agreed to play with us a major role in this great adventure, sharing human values and sports. Heartfelt thanks go to the participating teams’ Societies, to the players’ families, to the “Nazionale Italiana Calcio Amputati”, to all the great champions of Italian football gathered in the “AIC Senior League.” For their valuable work, thanks to Nicola Rizzoli and the other referees, to the AIA Section of Bologna, to the judges and to all the staff of the “G. Negrini” stadium in Castenaso, the “A. Biavati” sports center and the “Renato Dall’Ara” stadium in Bologna. As well as the FIGC, the FIGC Academy School Emilia-Romagna, as well as the provincial FIGC-NLD and CONI. We are very grateful to the Archbishop of Bologna S.E. Monsignor Matteo Maria Zuppi, to the Emilia-Romagna Region institutions, to the Municipality of Bologna, to the City of Castenaso, and to Bologna F. C .1909. Thanks for the steps taken together, to the no-profit organization “Associazione Solidarietà Terzo Mondo”, Sondrio, with their project WeLoveRwanda, and to the no-profit organization “Fondazione Don Mario Campidori” which created the Village Without Barriers. Thanks to our partners and sponsors from yesterday and today and to all media partners. A special thanks goes to our Official Testimonial Adam Masina, and to the great champions who have agreed to support We Love Football with precious enthusiasm. Thank you, finally, to the Emilia-Romagna Region, to the City of Castenaso and to the Municipality of Bologna, to the city of Bologna and to our loyal viewers and supporters who follow us with passion.

(Marco De Marchi)