Viadana In that Petrarca Rugby team that in exactly one week will try to stop Viadana in the race for the Tricolore, there is a bit of yellow and black. Times, professions and teams change, but memories do not. Andrea Marcato’s assistant coach for 4 years has been Victor Jimenez, who coached the Rivieraschi in the 2019/20 season, before moving on to Padova, but above all he was among the great protagonists of that 18 May 2002, when in Rovigo the Rugby Viadana beat Calvisano to win its first and historic championship. The Tricolore hooker, in short. Today, however, Victor is on the other side of the fence. Who knows what he will feel in challenging those colors… «It will be a great emotion to face Viadana – says the assistant coach of the tuttineri – It was an enormous satisfaction to win that historic title of Italian champion 20 years ago for everyone: for the club, the staff coach, us athletes and fans. It was a very united group, with many Italian players, perhaps not very young but they were able to win the scudetto: how nice! Returning to the present, this season coach Pavan’s team drew with Padova at the “Memo Geremia” by 27-27 and won by 19-18 at the “Zaffanella” in the return match. «Perhaps this season – continues Jimenez – Viadana did not start with the aim of fighting to enter the lot of the best teams, but along the way it has done well, obtained important victories, gained confidence and demonstrated all its value . They have really good athletes and first-rate technical staff, starting with Gilberto Pavan who I know well. Excellent company and ideal environment to work with peace of mind.”
On June 2nd in Parma the two teams will face each other for the third time this year, but it will be the most important match and different from all the others: they will go on the field to win the scudetto. «Neither of the two teams has an advantage – concludes Jimenez – The one-off matches are completely different from those of the championship; there are many components that can make the difference for one or the other team. The episodes may ultimately prove decisive for Viadana or Petrarca. Anything can happen, let’s hope it’s a good final. It will be tough for us, but we believe in it.”
