The 'Maurizio Maestrelli' award, annually reserved for personalities from the world of sports, was presented last night to the Under 21 coach Paolo Nicolato. "I would like to thank the organisation from the bottom of my heart for bestowing on me this prestigious recognition, shared with personalities of great human and sporting depth", said the coach of the Azzurrini.

During the award ceremony, which took place at the 'Benito Stirpe' stadium in Frosinone, the eight teams that will participate in the thirteenth edition of the Lazio Cup International Youth Tournament, reserved for the Under 18 level, were also presented. In addition to Nicolato, the other winners on the night were: Claudio Vigorelli (FIFA Agent), Fabrizio Corsi (President of Empoli Calcio), Marco Mancosu (Lecce footballer), Michele Sbravati (Head of the Genoa Youth Sector), Marco Rossi (Hungary Head Coach), Aurelio Capaldi (Rai Journalist), Carolina Morace (Coach of SS Lazio Women), Luigi De Siervo (CEO of Lega A), Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid Sporting Director), Luca Bergamini (President of the 5-a-side Football Division), Fabio Grosso (Frosinone Calcio Head Coach), Matteo Villani (Former Azzurri Athlete, doctor-anaesthetist).

After the elimination by Portugal in the quarter-finals of the European Championship, the Under-21 national team are preparing to return to action with the qualifiers for EURO 2023: The Azzurrini will host Luxembourg at the 'Carlo Castellani' stadium in Empoli on 3 September before then facing their peers from Montenegro on 7 September at the 'Romeo Menti' stadium in Vicenza