LIVESTREAM Italian Bowl in Toledo: Firenze Guelfi vs Ancona Dolphins, June 28, 21:00 CET (9 pm, 3 pm ET)

By John Mahnen

As the Italian Bowl returns to Toledo, Ohio for the second time in three years, American football fans on both sides of the Atlantic are in for a spectacular finale to the Italian football season. Set in the historic Glass Bowl on the campus of the University of Toledo, this year’s championship pits two of Italy’s most exciting teams against one another: the battle-tested Dolphins Ancona and the high-flying Guelfi Firenze. 

With contrasting styles, explosive playmakers, and a growing international audience, Italian Bowl XLIV promises to be one of the most compelling editions yet. 

Dolphins Ancona: The Quiet Killers 

The Dolphins enter the Italian Bowl with a 9–1 regular season record with the best and arguably the most disciplined defense in the country. Led by veteran head coach Rik Parker, Ancona plays smart, structured football that emphasizes efficiency, ball control, and timely execution. 

Their semifinal victory over the Parma Panthers was a textbook case in resilience. Despite trailing in time of possession and playing a largely conservative game, the Dolphins struck quickly and effectively, winning 20–14 earning a spot in their first Italian Bowl in nearly two decades. 

Quarterback Blaine Eaton was cool under pressure, going 19 of 29 for 171 yards without turning the ball over. It was the ground game, however, that told the story—an unlikely trio of touchdowns from Brancaccio, Flamini, and Eaton himself carried the day. Ancona ran for 108 yards on just 19 attempts, signaling a newfound balance at the perfect time. 

Defensively, the Dolphins were as stingy as ever. Linebackers Soltana and Giardinieri led a unit that recorded 44 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and an interception. Most importantly, they kept Parma out of the end zone when it mattered and went a perfect 3-for-3 in red zone offense. 

Guelfi Firenze: Built for Big Moments 

If Ancona’s success has come through control and composure, Firenze’s path to the final has been nothing short of volcanic. 

The Guelfi roared through the regular season with a perfect 10–0 record and boast the league’s most potent offense, averaging over 450 total yards and nearly 50 points per game. They’re led by the unstoppable Andrea Fimiani, a true dual-threat quarterback and MVP frontrunner. 

In their 35–23 semifinal win over the Frogs Legnano, Fimiani was electric: 180 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and a passing score to boot. His 46-yard TD run in the third quarter was vintage Fimiani—elusive, explosive, and demoralizing for defenders. 

Watch live PPV. Italian Bowl in Toledo: Firenze Guelfi vs Ancona Dolphins, June 28, 21:00 CET (9 pm, 3 pm ET)

But he wasn’t alone. Running back Salum added 56 yards on the ground, and kick returners Casati and Mibelli  flipped field position with 126 kickoff return yards. Guelfi racked up 241 rushing yards in total and never lost control of the tempo, even with three interceptions through the air. 

The defense, meanwhile, was opportunistic. Guelfi recorded three picks—including a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown—and added three sacks to cap a dominant all-around performance. 

Style vs Style: What to Watch in Toledo 

The Italian Bowl will offer a fascinating clash of philosophies. Ancona wants to grind. Guelfi wants to explode. 

Ancona’s formula is clear: manage the clock, protect the football, and win on third downs. They’ll rely on Eaton’s decision-making, a balanced backfield, and a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in any game since Week 8. 

Guelfi, on the other hand, live for chaos. Fimiani leads a multi-dimensional offense that can score in seconds. If he gets going on the ground—and he almost always does—it could force Ancona to abandon its preferred tempo. 

Key matchups to watch: 

• Can Ancona’s front seven keep Fimiani contained? 

• Will Guelfi’s secondary, which thrives on turnovers, disrupt Eaton’s clean style of play? 

• Can special teams be a factor?  Firenze’s return game could flip the field with one big play. 

The X-Factor: Andrea Fimiani 

There’s no player more important to this game than Guelfi quarterback Andrea Fimiani. He leads the team in both passing and rushing, and when he’s in rhythm, there may not be a defense in Europe that can stop him. 

Ancona’s defense will need to key on Fimiani, force him to throw from the pocket, and eliminate the big plays that have defined Guelfi’s undefeated season. Easier said than done according to Guelfi coach Byron McAdams who said, “What are you going to do, put 7 in the box and give us the pass or are you going to move out and put five in the box and challenge us to run the ball?   

How Rik Parker, in his first year as head coach of the Dolphins will scheme against the Guelfi Offense will only become apparent after the kickoff as he played his cards close to the vest.  When asked how prepared his squad he replied, “Actually, we haven’t done anything differently. We’ve been preparing just like we did before the first game. We haven’t changed anything. I haven’t, I haven’t added any more meetings, any more practices or any less. We’ve been doing the same things we’ve been doing all year to prepare.” 

Prediction 

This is as close to a coin-flip as an Italian Bowl has seen in years. Dolphins Ancona bring the grit, the balance, and the defensive prowess to hang with anyone. But Guelfi Firenze bring the lightning. 

If Ancona can limit turnovers and steal a possession or two, they could grind their way to a narrow win. But if Fimiani is allowed to run wild—as he did in the semifinals—the title is heading back to Florence. 

Pick: Guelfi Firenze 35, Dolphins Ancona 28 

A Showcase for Italian Football 

As the Glass Bowl fills with fans from Ohio and beyond, this game will be more than a championship—it will be a celebration of how far Italian football has come. A game born on American soil, refined on Italian fields, and now played on a global stage. 

The IFL’s top performers will be honored in a pre-game ceremony with several of the league’s decorated players suited up for the kickoff.  Guelfi’s Fimiani has taken dual honors as both MVP and Italian Player of the Year, while the Dolphins feature the Defensive Player of the Year in Rotelli Valentino.  Ancona’s HC Rik Parker was named Coach of the Year. 

Watch live PPV. Italian Bowl in Toledo: Firenze Guelfi vs Ancona Dolphins, June 28, 21:00 CET (9 pm, 3 pm ET)