The splendid setting of the central Piazza Mazzini in Viareggio, with its enchanting and picturesque sunsets over the sea, was the backdrop to the sixth edition of Versilia Football Planet. Three days of full immersion in everything that revolves around the leather ball and that smells of wet grass. Football, five-a-side football, table football, subbuteo, foot-golf, walking football, foot-darts, freestyle, fan groups, awards, interviews, talks, commentaries and entertainment: a passion expressed in all its possible variations, thanks to the perfect organization curated by Marco Calamari, president of the MC26Sport Association, in agreement with the Municipality of Viareggio, and by the councilor Rodolfo Salemi. All with the intent of highlighting the noblest aspects of the sport most loved by Italians: sportsmanship, healthy competition, but above all fun. The event opened at the Marco Polo Sport Center, with the awards ceremony for the best of the 2023/2024 football season among the Versilia amateurs, a sort of “night of the Oscars”, from Serie D to the Second category. From Saturday onwards, the seafront was packed to visit the “football village” and take part in the various activities on offer, from table football challenges to footgolf, through subbuteo and even “target shooting” with your feet. A day closed by the special guest of the classic “face to face with the ball”, starring Arrigo Sacchi, one of the coaches who most innovated, if not revolutionized, the game of football, winning everything with his “immortal” Milan, winning, between 1987 and 1991, two Champions Cups, one Scudetto, one Italian Super Cup, two European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. Sunday evening was instead dedicated to the “open talk” and debates, hosted by Bruno Vesica and special guests such as Xavier Jacobelli, journalist and editorialist for Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport and commentator on RaiSport broadcasts, Michele Fratini, intermediary and talent scout elected the best in Italy for two consecutive years, and Evaristo Beccalossi, star player and playmaker for Inter in the 80s as well as head of the Italy Under 20 delegation, who also presented his book. The three-day sports event was also an important promotional vehicle for local football, with the presence of the four musketeers of Versilia such as Guidi, Lepore, Lorenzini and Salvadori.
