Saturday, August 1, 2009
Primavera Rewrites History
One hundred years later, Juventus rewrote a page in the history of football thanks to the new Primavera of Luciano Bruni who took part with dignity in the celebrations of West Auckland Town, an English club, which 100 years ago won the first title of world champions.
The story dates back to 1909, when Sir Thomas Lipton , owner of the famous tea brand – organized a football tournament between the best teams of England, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. West Auckland won the first two editions held in 1909 and 1911 in Turin, the second of which against Juventus by an impressive 6-1.
A century later it was the turn of the young bianconeri to “avenge” the result. In Chiusa Pesio, location of the summer camp, the Primavera won by a round 7-1, with goals by Esposito and Giovinco (two goals each), a great goal by Almiron (a lob from 30 metres), a header by Serino and a right-footed kick by Filippo Boniperti, grandson of Giampiero, adding an ulterior dose of history to the result.
The result was the least important of matters, however. In the afternoon Chiusa Pesio was the stage for a true sports fable: today’s West Auckland, a team which plays in the English amateur league, were called to evoke the more illustrious predecessors.
The team will spend three days in Piedmont, after having left England en route to Turin (and then Valle Pesio) by coach. The troupe was made up of 40 persons consisting of players, management and supporters as well as an important guest: the “Lipton Trophy” which a century ago made the trip the other way round as witness to the dominance of English football over continental football. It was a truly great celebration which the only goal by Hutchinson who was wearing the number 11 jersey, made even more special.
The event which was wanted and promoted by the British Consul in Milan was a great success. The consul established the contact between the two clubs in the past few months for a remake of the historical first encounter.
The relationship between the two clubs was sealed by the symbolic shake of hands between Gianluca Pessotto and the coach of the English team Stuart Alderson with the local authorities of Chiusa Pesio as witnesses. The authorities were the perfect hosts for a day that will not go forgotten.
Juventus.com
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