A great celebration of Sardinian football. The end-of-season Grand Gala was held last night in Tramatza, in the conference room of the "L'Anfora" hotel. Organized by the Sardinia Regional Committee and hosted by journalists Valentina Caruso and Enrico Pilia, the event saw awards presented to the clubs that won regional, youth, and futsal championships and cups, the Disciplinary Cup, and the Young Players Development Project. In short: the best of the last year of regional football.
The "L'Unione Sarda" awards were also presented during the evening, in the competition that, starting from the 2021-2022 season, identifies the best players and top scorers in the Eccellenza and Promozione leagues. Among the top scorers, Ezequiel Franchi of Ossese (15 goals, equal to Nicolás Ricci of Carbonia and Sergio Nurchi of Monastir, who was awarded for playing fewer games) stood out in Eccellenza, Alfredo Francisco Martins of Lanusei (24 goals, Group A) and Domenico Saba of Usinese (26 goals, Group B) in Promozione . "Having scored a double, the title of top scorer and winning the championship makes me very happy," Martins rejoiced. "I have to say goodbye and thank all my teammates and the club. It was a great season and I will stay at Lanusei for the next one too."
For the best, the Eccellenza award went to a pair: Stefano Mereu (Alghero) and Madou Mabo (Barisardo), who received 23 votes in the 30 league games from the coaches of the opposing teams, who, at the end of each match, cast three preferences . "I'm very happy with the championship I had and with the award," says Mabo, an Ivorian midfielder who recently joined Atletico Uri. "I want to thank all my teammates at Barisardo, president Roberto Ibba and the staff: they helped me a lot. I feel good in Sardinia and I think I can have a great career: there are many good teams also in Serie D and in Serie C with Torres, Sardinian football is of an excellent standard." In Promozione, victory went to Federico Usai of Lanusei (Group A, 24 votes) and again Saba (Group B, 26) .
The club awards began with the two teams promoted from the Eccellenza league to Serie D: Budoni, who won the top Sardinian tournament, and Monastir, who triumphed in the national playoffs, beating W3 Maccarese and Vianese . "It was a tough championship, with so many worthy teams: it was a great satisfaction to have won it," commented Filippo Fois, president of the Gallura team. "I thank the owner who believed in this project, the management team who supported us in this adventure, and the entire team and staff for this unforgettable result: we are ready for Serie D," added Marco Carboni, head coach of the white-and-blues. Then, from the Promozione league on down, to the other three clubs promoted to the national championships: Atletico Uri women's team, champions of the Eccellenza league (they will play in Serie C), in futsal Città di Cagliari (who won the C1 league), and Ittiri Sprint (women's C league) who are moving up to Serie B.
"It's been a wonderful season," said Gianni Cadoni, president of the Sardinia Regional Committee and vice president of the National Amateur League – Central Area. "I couldn't have asked for more: wonderful, beautiful, and hard-fought championships, from the Excellence to the Third Category, through the Paralympic and Experimental Football Division, beach soccer, futsal, and women's soccer. I'm proud, and now we've had an incredible celebration of sport, honored by the presence of champions like Gianfranco Matteoli, Beppe Tomasini, and Gianfranco Zola ."
A delegation from AIA, including regional president Roberto Branciforte, referees Giuseppe Collu and Antonio Giua, and assistant Khaled Bahri, also attended the three Sardinian football legends . Among the referees, Riccardo Urru was awarded as best match official of the season, Maria Grazia Poddighe as best futsal referee, and Andrea Nurra as best assistant referee. They also received plaques in memory of Claudio Deiana .
President Cadoni then awarded six new regional honors: managers Ubaldo Piccotti, Franco Palleschi, Nando Campagnola, Roberto Mulas, Professor Ignazio Argiolas, and referee Luigi Dessena . These are six outstanding individuals who, throughout their careers, have brought prestige to Sardinian football.