The beautiful poker of the Under 16! Ischia Calcio champion!

It is a great celebration for Ischia Calcio Under 16, which is crowned Provincial Champion at the end of an unforgettable season. In the evocative setting of the “San Gennaro dei Poveri” in the heart of Sanità, the boys of mister Giacinto De Siano have written the last, glorious page of a year that will remain in the history of the island's youth sector.

A perfect ride for the yellow and blues, who dominated the championship from the first days and who, in the second phase, reaffirmed their superiority by winning all the matches and closing with full points. Then, in the knockout phase, there was no contest: quarter-finals, semi-finals and final won in a clear manner, with the authority and quality of a great team.

In the final act, against the fearsome Cantera Napoli, the only real resistance of the tournament was seen. For over half an hour the Neapolitans withstood the impact with order and sacrifice, managing to contain the Ischian attacks. But in the long run, the greater technical caliber, the organization and - above all - the athletic brilliance of De Siano's boys made the difference. Decisive, in this sense, was also the constant and meticulous work of the trainers Marena and Pisano, always present and fundamental in the growth path of the group.

At the final whistle, the deserved award ceremony: the Provincial Delegate Antonio Montesano, together with his staff, presented the trophy to the captain Colella, crowning a perfect evening for Ischia Calcio. A success that is not only a title, but the symbol of a winning project.

After the victory in the regional Under 18 championship, this triumph also arrives at the provincial Under 16 level: the icing on the cake of an increasingly solid partnership between Ischia Calcio of president Pino Taglialatela and Real Academy. The second year of collaboration thus closes with excellent results and evident growth on all fronts.

The minimum objective was to qualify for the next regional championships. Mission accomplished… and also surpassed. Because these guys were not satisfied: they wanted to conquer everything, climbing step by step until proudly placing the yellow and blue flag on the roof of the province.

THE MATCH After the national anthem, the final is underway. The atmosphere is scorching, the temperature is prohibitive. The Cantera starts the match with a positive attitude, looking for depth. Nothing happens in the first quarter of an hour. There is balance. In the 18th minute, the Cantera benefits from a free kick from the edge: Liguori's low shot ends up wide, with Senese "accompanying" the ball.

Ischia dangerously appears a couple of times in the Napoli area but the crosses or the conclusions are blocked by the defenders. Cooling break is necessary and they recover. At 29′ the yellow and blues score. Corner from the left, long ball to the second post where Raia is well positioned and anticipates everyone and puts it in the net. 3′ later Granato receives in the area but fails to anticipate the goalkeeper. At 35′ Ischia doubles thanks to Galluccio who maneuvers well in the area and beats Orefice with his left foot. 2′ pass and Granato from distance forces the goalkeeper to make a great save. We go to the break with De Siano's boys ahead by two goals.

We start again. Immediately a chance for Ischia: in the 2nd minute, Di Meglio throws it to Raia who outpaces his direct opponent, waits for the goalkeeper to come out but the striker finishes high. In the 7th minute, Galluccio turns on the ball on first intention: the ball goes wide. In the 18th minute, Senese does well to slap a poisonous free kick from thirty meters out for a corner. In the 19th minute, the best chance for the Neapolitans but Palomba saves on the line, with his head, on a sure shot from Liguori. On the developments of a corner, another danger in the Ischia area: a header from a Canterano defender that grazes the post with Senese beaten. In the 25th minute, Raia restarts, assists in the middle for the onrushing Rossetti but the goalkeeper with a great leap avoids the third Ischia goal. At 30′ the game was closed by Galluccio who collected a ball deflected by the crossbar (a shot by Raia) and scored with coolness. At 34′ Trani, almost with an empty net, incredibly raised his aim. Raia, almost on the gong, put his signature on the scoreboard with a right-footed shot from sixteen meters: 4-0. For Mr. Raho (his direction was excellent), the yellow and blues can raise their arms to the sky.

AWARDS CEREMONY – After a moment of tension in the stands between opposing “parents” (luckily calm soon returned), the exciting morning ends with the delivery of medals to the teams and the delivery of the cup to Ischia by the provincial delegate Montesano. On the field, on the return bus, at the boarding point in Pozzuoli and above all on the ship, the team, staff, managers, parents and fans can unleash their joy. The Under 16 of Ischia Calcio is eager to make people talk about them next season too. Try to stop these terrible boys from De Siano!