ROVIGO – Everything is ready for the Italian derby. On Sunday 12 May at the Battaglini stadium at 5pm FemiCz Rovigo and Petrarca Padova will play for access to the scudetto final on 2 June in Parma.
A sort of anticipated final, in the last three seasons they found themselves in the final (2-1 for Rovigo), this time the playoffs will decide which of the two will be able to play for the championship again. An inside or outside game, Petrarca has the advantage of having two useful results out of three (with the draw they go to the final), by virtue of the bonus obtained with Mogliano they have an extra point in the three-team group standings. At FemiCz Rovigo it is “enough” to win with any result.
Already 2500 tickets sold in advance, the box office will be open as usual at the Batttaglini stadium, the public for special occasions is expected, and the one on Sunday 12 May is.
It will also be the last match of Edo Lubian ‘monument’ at Battaglini. His tackle on Mercier, who mocked the Rovigo crowd after the victory in the 2011 Battaglini final, has become a legend.
Andrea Piardi will be the referee of the challenge. He is the best around, on Saturday 24 February he directed Ireland-Wales with the assistance of Gianluca Gnecchi. He was the first Italian referee to referee a Six Nations match. He has directed several derbies, including the last one at the Battaglini on 24 March in the regular season (12-10 for the Bersaglieri). He knows the players by first name, the Brescian is very prepared, he leaves nothing to chance, but above all he makes the teams play by raising the level of the spectacle and the actual minutes. A great merit.
Piardi will be assisted Franco Rosella From Rome and Alex Frasson of Treviso, Tmo Claudio Blessano of Treviso.
The other semi-final between Viadana and Valorugby on Saturday 11 May at 5pm will be directed by Clara Munarini from Parmaline assistants Vedovelli and Angelucci, Tmo Roscini.
Massimo Brunello new head coach of Zebre, e Petrarca scrum coach Victor Jimenez special guests a Rugby House, the broadcast conducted by Andrea Trombini live on First Free, Channel 170 of digital terrestrial, Thursday 9 May at 8.45pm.
Giorgio Achilli
