Damage In The Box!: FENIX TROPHY FINALE, STADIO ROMEO NERI, RIMINI

FENIX TROPHY FINAL 8 WEEKEND:

GRAND FINAL - PRAGUE RAPTORS 0-2 FC UNITED of MANCHESTER

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH -AS LODIGIANI CALCIO 1-1 BRERA FC*

5th/6th PLAY-OFF - HFC FALKE 2-2 AKS ZŁY*

7th/8th PLAY-OFF - CD CUENCA MESTALLISTES 2-3 AFC DWS

* won on penalties

ATTENDANCE: c500

After heading to Milan for a group stage game in April, this weekend I was back in Italy as the inaugural Fenix Trophy reached it's grand finale.

The 'Final 8' took place at the Stadio Romeo Neri, the home of Rimini FC, and the format saw the two groups of teams play the other that finished in the respective position, concluding with group winners Prague Raptors and FC United of Manchester playing each other for the honour of lifting the trophy. Tickets were a very reasonable €10 for all four games and included a souvenir ticket and programme.

Host club Rimini FC are currently a Serie D side and have played at stadium since it's inauguration in 1930. The ground is named after Italian gymnast Romeo Neri, the first citizen of Rimini to participate in the Olympic Games in both 1928 (Amsterdam) and 1932 (Los Angeles). The ground has a capacity of around 9,500 but today only one side was in use and, thank goodness, it was the covered side as shelter from the sun was much needed.

Rimini were hosting the tournament by way of a tourist opportunity, using the opportunity to bring in fans from around Europe to this famous seaside resort. They certainly put on a good show.

I made my way to the Adriatic Coast on the Friday and, after my flight was delayed for around two hours, I arrived into Bologna very late in the evening. I didn't see the first game of the tournament on the Friday night, the all Italian affair between AS Lodigiani and Brera. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, with the team from Milan winning on penalties.

After my delayed arrival, meaning I didn't check in my hotel until 3am, I overslept on the Saturday morning so by the time I had gone for my walk along the beach and to grab a spot of lunch, I never arrived at the ground until the second half of the 7th place play-off off match.

The team from Valencia, CD Cuenca Mestallistes, were winning 2-1 upon my arrival but at full time it was AFC DWS of Amsterdam who had turned it around and won the game 3-2.

The 5th place play-off pitted Hamburg side HFC Falke against AKS Zły from Warsaw. The sides played out a 2-2 draw before, in a shocking turn up for the books, the Germans lost on penalties. That's right a German team lost on penalties!

The main event between FC United and Prague Raptors kicked off slightly late, as yet another flight from Manchester was delayed, but luckily all the fans were inside the stadium to witness the Red Rebels become the only British team to lift European silverware this season.

First half goals courtesy of Ali Waddecar and Joe Duckworth ensured the Fenix Trophy would be heading to Broadhurst Park. The game was played at a pedestrian pace but that was understandable in the 28⁰c heat in Rimini and once United went 2-0 up there was no danger of them surrendering that advantage.

The atmosphere of whole day, and indeed tournament overall, was very convivial, as supporters mixed together in the stand, certainly living up to the Fenix Trophy's motto of "making friends not millionaires". I'm sure the beer from a local brewery that was on sale at the ground helped tremendously!

I would estimate there were between 500 and 600 fans in attendance, of which about 80% were United and around 15% were Falke. Hopefully the interest generated by the tournament will result in it's return next season. I'm sure the FC United, and their fans, would love the opportunity to defend their title.