Victory, unity, and top-tier football — the interuniversity team conquered the Sport Festival Tournament this weekend in Montefiascone.

May 25, 2025 – Montefiascone, Italy

The Sport Festival tournament, organized by US Acli Lazio, brought together student-athletes from universities across Rome, used to participating in the Universities of Rome Championship, forming a single representative squad that, despite the short preparation time, displayed incredible cohesion, determination, and mutual respect, led by coach Stefano Cristalli from American University of Rome.

Among the key contributors to this success were three standout players from John Cabot University‘s Men’s Soccer Team:
Edoardo De Falco – Team Captain
Matteo Bartolini – Goal Scorer
Riccardo Tavalazzi – Youngest Player on the Field

We could not be prouder of their performance, leadership, and the way they embodied the values of the JCU Gladiators both on and off the pitch.

Captain’s Leadership: Edoardo De Falco

JCU’s own Edoardo De Falco led the squad as captain, and his words captured the heart of the day:

“It has been a fantastic day of sports. In a few days, we created a strong team made up of athletes who are often opponents on the pitch. These kinds of events completely capture the virtues of sport: joy, friendship, and solidarity.
We played a fantastic match technically, but more significantly, we had a perfect attitude and supported one another to win.
I want to thank Coach Cristalli for this opportunity, my coaches Marian and Franceschi, and the entire JCU athletic department for the support shown to us throughout the year — it was fundamental to reach such incredible achievements.”

Edoardo’s leadership was instrumental in creating a united and focused team spirit, despite the short time to train together. His humility and sportsmanship made him the ideal choice to wear the captain’s armband for such a diverse and talented squad.

From Striker to Scorer: Matteo Bartolini

JCU striker Matteo Bartolini, who found the back of the net during the final match, reflected on the significance of the event:

“Yesterday was an amazing experience. The university representative team is a great opportunity to meet students from other universities and start an educational and fun journey.
We played a match against a team from Tor Sapienza. We won and also played well, applying what the coaches asked of us. I’m grateful to the staff and my teammates who made the experience so engaging.”

Matteo’s goal helped secure the team’s triumph — but beyond the result, his takeaway was about connection, learning, and the joy of being part of something bigger.

A Young Talent Rising: Riccardo Tavalazzi

One of the brightest surprises of the day came from Riccardo Tavalazzi, the youngest player on the field — and another proud Gladiator playing in our Men’s Soccer team. Despite his age, he showed maturity and skill that impressed both coaches and teammates alike:

“I was the youngest player on the team, and being part of this group made up of good players from different universities and countries helped me grow as a player.
The experience was very interesting and useful. I really hope this team can reunite and play more matches in the future.”

Riccardo’s performance and attitude are a testament to the development and promise of the next generation of Gladiators. His calm presence and willingness to learn made him a valuable addition to the squad.

Goalies Coach’s View: Ion Marian

Goalkeeper coach Ion Marian, who worked closely with the squad, praised the players’ chemistry and structure:

“It was a solid performance. The boys showed great chemistry and played a well-organized match. They had good tactical discipline and team spirit, despite being from different backgrounds.
I hope this is just the beginning — that this group can help promote fair and passionate competition across the Universities of Rome Championship.”

Words from Coach Manuel Franceschi

JCU coach Manuel Franceschi emphasized the value of the experience beyond just the win:

“We’re very satisfied with this interuniversity experience. Seeing players who are usually rivals support one another and share meaningful moments both on and off the field was incredibly positive.
Winning the tournament was the cherry on top — but the true victory was the calm, respectful, and joyful atmosphere that was created.
I hope this spirit carries into the rest of the season, improving everyone’s sportsmanship and attitude.”

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Universities of Rome Championship Organization

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Universities of Rome Championship organizers for making this unforgettable experience possible.

By bringing together student-athletes from across institutions and offering them the chance to compete side-by-side, this initiative highlights everything that’s right about university sport: inclusion, respect, development, and unity.

Opportunities like this don’t just create better athletes — they help shape better people.

Proud to Be Gladiators

As always, our Gladiators rose to the occasion with integrity, passion, and excellence. Congratulations to Edoardo, Matteo, and Riccardo — and to the entire interuniversity squad — for a well-earned victory and an inspiring example of what university athletics is all about.

This is more than a win — it’s a celebration of community, character, and collaboration. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Go Gladiators!