In a packed, festive Stadio Paolo Mazza in Ferrara, the Firenze Guelfi defeated the Parma Panthers 53-43 in a spectacular Italian Bowl XLV, capturing their third Scudetto, their second consecutive national title, and extending their winning streak in Italian competition to 22 games.
It was a fitting championship game for the two programs that have defined the modern era of Italian football. The Firenze Guelfi, led by head coach Fabrizio Bocci, entered as defending champions and the dominant domestic team of the last two seasons. The Parma Panthers, coached by Brian Michitti, arrived as the one opponent with the pedigree, quarterback play and big-game history to make Firenze earn every yard.
They did exactly that.
Shootout from the start
Parma executed its game plan almost perfectly for long stretches, building methodical drives behind quarterback Roman Fuller and running back Wilfrid Titimpoko, keeping Andrea Fimiani and the explosive Guelfi offense on the sideline. Firenze, however, once again showed why it has become the most dangerous team in Italy: when the Guelfi had the ball, they turned almost every possession into points.
The evening opened with the full Italian Bowl treatment. Flag-wavers, drummers and trumpeters from the historic Palio di Ferrara set the scene, Louis Tosi, Chairman of the Italian Football League, handled the coin toss, and Ferrara City Councilor for Sport Francesco Carità performed the ceremonial kickoff. With the final played on July 4, the Italian and American national anthems added to the occasion, performed by soprano Mariam Battistelli, herself a former football player in Ferrara.
Then the game delivered on the buildup.
Parma struck first with a long, patient opening drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Titimpoko. Leonardo Neri’s extra point made it 7-0 Panthers.
Fimiani and the Guelfi answered immediately. After moving quickly into Parma territory, Fimiani finished the drive himself with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Pietro Camorani’s extra point tied the game at 7-7.
The second quarter turned into the shootout everyone expected. Fimiani found Italian Bowl XLV MVP Franky Stola for a 12-yard touchdown to give Firenze its first lead at 14-7, but Parma responded with Fuller hitting Titimpoko for a 19-yard touchdown pass to tie the game again.
The Guelfi needed only one lightning strike to move back in front. Fimiani connected with Cosimo Camilli on a 70-yard touchdown, restoring Firenze’s lead at 21-14. But Fuller kept the Panthers calm and on schedule, guiding another long Parma drive and finding Ismail Lamamra from 2 yards out. Neri’s kick tied the game at 21-21.
Late in the half, both defenses finally landed punches. Luca Montaresi intercepted Fimiani, but Giovanni Scialdone answered with an interception of Fuller, preserving the deadlock at halftime.
Momentum swings
At the break, the Italian Bowl also celebrated the history and growth of Italian football. Romano Cinelli, Alessandro Lazzaretto and Giuseppe Rizzello were inducted into the FIDAF Hall of Fame, the senior national team was honored after winning the Improve Bowl flag football tournament, and the 1986 Bologna Warriors were recognized for the first and only Scudetto in that club’s history.
The second half began with Parma attempting to steal a possession with an onside kick, but Firenze recovered. The Guelfi appeared ready to take control immediately, only for Montaresi to intercept Fimiani again and give Parma life.
The Panthers cashed in. Fuller directed another composed drive and found Matteo Ghelfi for a 9-yard touchdown, putting Parma back in front 28-21.
That was the moment when the final turned.
Firenze answered with Fimiani finding Stola for a 9-yard touchdown, though the extra point was blocked, leaving Parma ahead 28-27. Then came the break the Guelfi had been waiting for: Fuller completed a pass to Lamamra, but Christian Sottura recovered the ensuing fumble for Firenze.
Fimiani needed only one decisive strike. He found Giacomo Mibelli deep for a 49-yard touchdown, giving the Guelfi a 33-28 lead. The two-point attempt failed, but the momentum had shifted.
Champions finish the job
Early in the fourth quarter, Stola struck again. The Guelfi receiver, a matchup nightmare all night for Parma’s secondary, caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Fimiani. Camorani’s kick made it 40-28.
Then the defense provided the championship swing. Jaren Banks intercepted Fuller and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, sending the Guelfi crowd into celebration and pushing the lead to 46-28 after the missed extra point.
Parma still refused to fade. Fuller continued to attack, finding Dominique Fiscelli for a 44-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 46-35. But Firenze answered with the kind of grinding drive champions use to close games. Cosimo Casati finished it with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Camorani’s extra point restored the lead to 53-35.
Fuller had one last response, hitting Rocco Bonvicini for a 10-yard touchdown and then running in the two-point conversion to make it 53-43. But the Panthers could not get the ball back with enough time to complete the comeback. The Guelfi recovered possession, entered victory formation, and began celebrating another Scudetto.
Stola was named Italian Bowl XLV MVP after a brilliant championship-game performance that included three touchdown receptions and repeated game-changing plays. Fimiani, already named the league’s 2026 Most Valuable Player and Italian Player of the Year, again showed his command of the Guelfi offense, throwing five touchdown passes and adding a rushing score.
For Parma, Fuller was outstanding in defeat, throwing five touchdown passes of his own and keeping the Panthers alive until the final minute. Titimpoko scored twice, while Lamamra, Ghelfi, Fiscelli and Bonvicini all found the end zone.
But the night belonged to Firenze.
The Guelfi completed a perfect domestic season, defended their title, and beat the only Italian team that had managed to slow their rise over the last four years. The Parma Panthers produced a performance worthy of their tradition, but the Firenze Guelfi once again proved that in today’s Italian football landscape, the road to the Scudetto runs through Firenze.
Scoring summary
First quarter
Parma Panthers – Wilfrid Titimpoko 9-yard run, Leonardo Neri kick good.
Firenze Guelfi – Andrea Fimiani 2-yard run, Pietro Camorani kick good.
Score: Firenze Guelfi 7, Parma Panthers 7
Second quarter
Firenze Guelfi – Franky Stola 12-yard pass from Andrea Fimiani, Camorani kick good.
Parma Panthers – Wilfrid Titimpoko 19-yard pass from Roman Fuller, Neri kick good.
Firenze Guelfi – Cosimo Camilli 70-yard pass from Andrea Fimiani, Camorani kick good.
Parma Panthers – Ismail Lamamra 2-yard pass from Roman Fuller, Neri kick good.
Halftime: Firenze Guelfi 21, Parma Panthers 21
Third quarter
Parma Panthers – Matteo Ghelfi 9-yard pass from Roman Fuller, Neri kick good.
Firenze Guelfi – Franky Stola 9-yard pass from Andrea Fimiani, kick blocked.
Firenze Guelfi – Giacomo Mibelli 49-yard pass from Andrea Fimiani, two-point pass no good.
Score after third quarter: Firenze Guelfi 33, Parma Panthers 28
Fourth quarter
Firenze Guelfi – Franky Stola 40-yard pass from Andrea Fimiani, Camorani kick good.
Firenze Guelfi – Jaren Banks 63-yard interception return, Camorani kick no good.
Parma Panthers – Dominique Fiscelli 44-yard pass from Roman Fuller, Neri kick good.
Firenze Guelfi – Cosimo Casati 1-yard run, Camorani kick good.
Parma Panthers – Rocco Bonvicini 10-yard pass from Roman Fuller, Roman Fuller run good.
Final: Firenze Guelfi 53, Parma Panthers 43