By John Mahnen
TOLEDO, OHIO – June 28, 2025 — Under a blazing Ohio sun, in front of a lively crowd at the iconic Glass Bowl stadium, Guelfi Firenze delivered a tour de force in all three phases of the game, dismantling the Dolphins Ancona 49–14 in the 49th edition of the Italian Bowl. The Gionni Colombo Trophy now returns to Florence, and with it, redemption after two consecutive title game losses.
This year’s Italian Bowl marked the second time the event was held on American soil, and fittingly, it kicked off a new era on the Glass Bowl’s freshly laid FieldTurf CORE 2.5 surface. But it was Guelfi’s foot that stayed firmly on the gas pedal from start to finish.
First Quarter: Guelfi Set the Tone Early
Ancona won the opening toss and elected to receive, starting their initial drive with promise. Quarterback Blake Eaton looked composed, marching his offense to the Guelfi 39-yard line. But any momentum was quickly snuffed out by Guelfi defensive back Raffaele Rotelli, who stepped in front of a sideline route to snag a momentum-turning interception.
Though Guelfi turned the ball over on downs on their ensuing drive, they would capitalize after forcing a Dolphins punt. A short field—just 50 yards to paydirt—was all Andrea Fimiani needed to get started. The league MVP broke the deadlock with a 10-yard quarterback keeper. The PAT was blocked, but the tone was set: Firenze came to play.
Disaster struck next for the Dolphins as Eaton fumbled on the following possession. Guelfi linebacker Dario Pinzauti recovered on his own 48. Fimiani made quick work of the short field, connecting with Giacomo Mibelli for a nine-yard touchdown. The same duo linked up for the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 14–0 with 4:24 left in the first quarter.
Guelfi’s defense, meanwhile, continued to impose its will, forcing yet another punt. Before the quarter closed, Fimiani hit wideout Gregorio Casati (#30) in the red zone to set the stage for more punishment in the second.
Second Quarter: Defense, Discipline, Domination
Despite valiant efforts from Dolphins defensive standouts like IFL Defensive Player of the Year Valentino Rotelli (#44), the Florentine machine kept humming. Guelfi milked the clock, staying balanced between Fimiani’s poised passing and punishing ground game led by Filippo Manzoni (#6).
While both teams exchanged punts and turnovers, the Guelfi defense was suffocating, bottling up Eaton’s attempts to generate rhythm and consistently collapsing the pocket. Ancona’s offensive line—anchored by Andrea Leonardi (#70) and Matteo Bizzarri (#54)—had no answer for the relentless pressure.
The first half ended with Guelfi in firm control, up 21–0 after another Fimiani rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion from Riccardo Mibelli (#8). Despite their backs against the wall, the Dolphins remained spirited heading into the locker room.
“We just need one drive, one spark,” head coach Rik Parker told sideline reporters at the break. “Then we build on that.”
Third Quarter: Guelfi Slam the Door
If there was any hope for a second-half comeback, Guelfi erased it with brutal efficiency. Though both teams traded punts early in the third, Guelfi struck again midway through the quarter.
On third-and-long, Fimiani floated a perfect 18-yard strike to Casati in the corner of the endzone, despite tight coverage. The conversion made it 28–0. On the next drive, Fimiani threw perhaps the highlight of the night—a 50-yard bomb to Frank Stola (#7), who outleapt a defender in classic “Mossed” fashion before waltzing into the endzone. Another Mibelli conversion and it was 35–0.
The avalanche didn’t stop. A short drive later, Fimiani would again strike, this time with his legs, slicing through a tired Dolphins defense for a six-yard score. With five minutes remaining in the third, the score stood at 42–0, and the game had officially turned into a Florentine celebration.
Fourth Quarter: Dolphins Fight for Pride
To their credit, Ancona never quit. Just 15 seconds into the fourth quarter, Eaton delivered a laser between three defenders to wide receiver Matteo Dazzani (#81) for the Dolphins’ first touchdown of the game. The score was a brief reprieve—but Guelfi responded immediately.
Another quick drive ended with Fimiani’s fifth total touchdown of the afternoon, a short scamper that punctuated an MVP-worthy day. Eaton would hook up with Antonio Nocera (#17) for a second touchdown late, but it was purely cosmetic.
Guelfi backup quarterback and Wide Receiver Eystin Salum (#10) keeled out the remaining time taking a few victory formation snaps as the clock wound down on a game that was never in doubt.
Photo: @Monica Audoglio
MVP Honors and More
Andrea Fimiani capped off his storybook season by being named Italian Bowl XLIX MVP, adding to his 2025 IFL MVP and Italian Player of the Year honors. The 28-year-old maestro finished with three touchdown passes, two rushing scores, and multiple highlight-reel plays that reminded all why he’s the face of Italian football.
“I’m just proud of the work we put in,” said Fimiani postgame. “We came here on a mission, and we executed.”
The IFL also took the opportunity to hand out season awards before the presentation of the Colombo Trophy:
- Offensive Player of the Year: Danny Kittner, WR (Legnano Frogs)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Valentino Rotelli, LB (Dolphins Ancona)
- Rookie of the Year: Tommaso Moro, DB (Bergamo Lions)
- Special Teams Player of the Year: Roberto Zanovello, KR (Scorpions Varese)
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz of Toledo presented the Gionni Colombo Trophy to the champions, praising both teams for delivering “a week of camaraderie and competition that connected continents.”
A Tale of Two Preparations
Guelfi head coach Byron McAdams was beaming in the postgame ceremony. “We came here on a mission,” he said. “We held two-a-day practices in full pads. That’s the kind of preparation that wins championships. I’d go to bat with these cats anywhere.”
For Ancona, it was a hard pill to swallow. Their youthful roster struggled against the veteran experience and intensity of Firenze. Coach Parker acknowledged the challenge: “We chose to blend pleasure and preparation this week” Still, the Dolphins’ run to the final was a statement in itself. With a young core, growing chemistry, and rising talents a plenty Ancona will be a force in future seasons.
Looking Ahead
Italian Bowl XLIX was more than a championship game—it was a showcase of how far Italian football has come. Played in one of college football’s historic venues, with thousands in attendance and the game broadcast to both continents, it was a performance for the ages for MVP Andrea Fimiani.
For now, the Gionni Colombo Trophy heads back to Tuscany. And Guelfi Firenze, finally back on top after years of heartbreak, look poised to build a dynasty.