From September 17 to 22, Rome will host the World Championship, one of the most important festival on the Italian Bocce Federation’s 2025 calendar, thanks to the support and contribution of the Lazio Region and the patronage of the Minister of Sport and the Municipality of Rome.
High expectations also for the Italian national team, which will compete on home turf with two teams, selected by technical commissioners Mosé Nassa e Riccardo Capaccioni with the cooperation of assistants Laura Trova and Gianluca Ratterini. Team one will include Diego Rizzi, Alessio Cocciolo, Vanessa Romeo and Sara Ferrera, whilst team two will include Andrea Chiapello, Davide Laforé, Alessia Bottero and Sara Dedominici. “In preparation of the upcoming World pétanque Championship, which we will have the honor of hosting in the prestigious scenery of the city of Rome, I wish to extend an institutional greeting and a heartfelt wish to our National Representatives, masculine and feminine. Such an important event on our territory – commented FIB’s President Roberto Favre, - signifies an historic occasion for the Italian Bocce Federation e for the whole pétanque scenery. As the host country, we have the privilege of being able to field two teams for each category: a unique opportunity to enhance the talent and the expertise of our technical area. A special appreciation goes not only to the selected athletes, which will have the honor and responsibility of representing Italy in front of the home crowd, but also in front of the technical staff, which silent, constant and proficient work has been fundamental for the training and growth of these teams. I am positive that everyone, on and off the field – added Favre – will be able to face this challenge with commitment, expertise and teamwork, embodying the values that since the beginning have distinguished our Federation. To everyone, my sincerest wishes for an intense, educational and rewarding sporting experience.

 

 

At the Galoppatoio in Villa Borghese, a picturesque setting steeped in history, Italy will entrust its hope in the Azzurri to earn medals, following the great performance in last year’s World Championship in Dijon. In the individual competitions Diego Rizzi, Andrea Chiapello, Alessia Bottero and Vanessa Romeo will take the field. In pairs tests Italy will rely on the duo Rizzi-Cocciolo and Chiapello-Laforé. Hopes of aiming for the podium also in the mixed pair of Cocciolo-Ferrera e Laforé-Dedominici. “We will show up at the tournament with two competitive teams – explained coach Mosé Nassa -. Given the high level of competition, we must be aware that attention to detail will make all the difference. There will be no room for error, in order to be able to achieve a medal in any given moment. In addition, we must pay attention to our strongly skilled opponents, starting with Madagascar’s world vice-champions that with its athletes demonstrated a great technical value against France’s Master these last weeks. We should be keeping an eye also on France, which as always, will be among the favorites, alongside with Thailand and Germany, which can always spring dangerous surprises. After the success of 2024 World Championships in Dijon Italy runs to be among the favorites to defeat. “It is always very difficult to succeed on home court competitions – mentioned coach Riccardo Capaccioni -. It will be imperative to play with the certainty of having lost Dijon’s World Championships and not the contrary. Whoever lost in that specific circumstance, has worked all this time with determination, craving of getting their own back. We should do the same to avert being satisfied or unfocused on the field. Hunger for victory is a requirement to assert ourselves again. A concept that I have several times reiterated to the players in these months. Furthermore, it will be essential to remain calm and know how to manage, as and when they arise, the complication that are bound to occur in a major competition. We must stay focused and united: it could be the winning key, without forgetting the high level in which we will compete and that we will have to give our very best each game.