Italy’s flag football men make strong statement at Inter Flag Madrid
The Italian men’s senior flag football team opened its 2026 international campaign with an impressive run to the final at Inter Flag Madrid, falling just short against France but establishing themselves as a serious contender on the European stage ahead of upcoming Olympic qualifiers.
Building toward the world stage
The tournament served as a key early test for Italy, led by head coach Massimiliano Bonomo, as part of a four-event international circuit in preparation for the World Championships in Düsseldorf this summer. With Olympic qualification on the line, the Inter Flag event offered a chance to evaluate players, test schemes, and measure up against high-level competition from across the continent. The Italian squad featured talent from domestic clubs like Panthers Parma, Raiders Roma, Leoni Basiliano, and Mad Dogs Milano, alongside individuals representing Italy directly.
The following athletes participated in the Madrid training camp and tournament:
- Simone Alinovi (Panthers Parma)
- Jordan Bouah (Raiders Roma)
- Claudio Corrado (Leoni Basiliano)
- Andrea Fantin (Raiders Roma)
- Michelangelo Luigi Franchi (Mad Dogs Milano)
- Matteo Galante (Italy)
- Jared Lee Gerbino (Italy)
- Daniele Angelo Latorraca (Italy)
- Eugenio Mannato (Lazio Marines)
- Riccardo Petrilli (Dolphins Ancona)
- Raffaele Rotelli (Dolphins Ancona)
- Tamsir Seck (Italy)
- Luke Zahradka (Italy)
Narrow loss in final caps strong showing
Italy competed with consistency and tactical sharpness throughout the event, advancing through a competitive bracket to reach the championship game. Though they ultimately fell to a skilled French side, the narrow loss in the final demonstrated the team’s ability to perform under pressure and confirmed the progress made during recent training camps. The performance provided the coaching staff with valuable feedback on playbook execution, roster depth, and areas for refinement as preparations continue.
Domestic clubs also shine internationally
Beyond the national team’s success, Italian club teams made noise in Madrid as well. The Legnano 65ers delivered a strong showing, reaching the semifinals before being eliminated by the Blue Team. On the women’s side, Lions Bergamo advanced to the semifinals in the Gold category, while Hogs Reggio Emilia and Fenici Ferrara competed in a highly competitive Silver bracket. Simultaneously, at the Vitudurumbowl in Switzerland—an all-women’s tournament—Mad Cats Milano earned third place and Skorpions Varese also impressed, highlighting the growth of the women’s game in Italy.
The weekend’s results painted an encouraging picture for Italian flag football at both national and club levels. With the men’s team already proving it can compete with Europe’s best and women’s teams increasingly making their mark abroad, Italy is building momentum and identity at the right time—with major international opportunities just ahead.
