The first Valtellina Rugby 7even tournament was held on Saturday 29 June 2024.
The local Orsi, a name inherited from the historic Valtellina “invitation-only” team of the 90s and led for the occasion by Coach Simone Sole, faced the seven guest teams in the first part of the morning: Isotopi, Nati Scombinati, Inazuma, Orsetti Gommosi, Bravi Ragazzi, Cormoragbi and Lambruschi.
Despite their eccentric names, some of these teams regularly participate in international tournaments, demonstrating a high level of competition. Rugby 7s became an Olympic discipline starting from Rio De Janeiro 2016.
It is a faster and more dynamic version of rugby union. With only seven players per team and matches lasting fourteen minutes in total, divided into two halves of seven minutes each, the game is played on a standard-sized pitch. This leads to a more open game, with more space to move and an emphasis on speed and agility. The games are intense and spectacular, characterised by rapid changes of possession and frequent runs up and down the pitch. Although scrums and throw-ins do exist, they are less frequent than in rugby union.
It was a hot day for the athletes at Cerri-Mari. From 10:30 in the morning, the teams faced each other in the group stage. In the final stages, Lambruschi and Cormoragbi fought for 7th and 8th place, Orsi and Bravi Ragazzi for 5th and 6th place, while Orsetti Gommosi and Inazuma fought for 3rd and 4th place.
The grand final saw Nati Scombinati and Isotopi compete. In a surprising conclusion, the favorites Nati Scombinati were defeated by Isotopi with the final result of 33 to 7. The tournament ended without negative notes, with organizers and athletes very satisfied with the day.
Surely, the event will be repeated again next year.
Final ranking:
1st Isotopes
2nd Born Discomposed
3° Inazuma
4th Gummy Bears
5th Good Guys
6° The Bears
7° Cormoragbi
8° Lambruschi
Sondrio Rugby
