A history

of sport

and peace

Lake Garda, always a favorite destination for German and Dutch tourists; Trentino, a land of transit and connection between central Europe and Italy, with its historical, architectural and naturalistic beauties. And also Rovereto and Vallagarina, a hospitable territory, suited to sport, meeting and socializing. These peculiarities of our territory are at the base of the birth of the International Tournament “Città della Pace”. It started with some friendly matches, organized by Gianni Tumicelli of the G.S. Rosmini and Bert Staal of the Eurosportring Foundation, between Dutch, German and Italian teams, and with the first retreats of a few days in Trentino of the football clubs of central Europe.

In 1988, thanks to the commitment of the newly formed Organizing Committee, the Eurosportring Foundation and the Sports Councilor of the Municipality of Rovereto Carmelo Pintarelli, the first edition of the Tournament saw the light in Rovereto. In this first edition there are only three categories and the matches between the participating teams, especially Dutch, German and Italian, take place on four fields in Rovereto. In 1993, the Handball Tournament also starts, the only one in Italy, with both male and female teams. These moments of meeting and comparison have grown over the years, involving young people from all continents. Sports clubs from all European nations have participated, but also from the United States, Brazil, Japan, Kuwait, Canada, India, Australia.

In recent years, with the presidency of Cristian Sala, the tournament opens its doors to new disciplines, thus allowing more and more children and young people to take part in the Tournament.

Even the side events, increasingly enriched, have become, in parallel with the competitive moment, the heart of the Tournament: the Welcome Show, the oath and the national anthem read by a young athlete from each delegation before the sound of Maria Dolens on the Colle di Miravalle, the colorful and lively parade through the streets of the center, and the Sunday evening with the finals and fireworks at the Quercia Stadium.

The charm of our land, the hospitality of our people, the commitment and skills of those within the Organizing Committee who, with tenacity and will, have been able to improve the event year after year, down to the smallest detail, have meant that the Città della Pace Tournament is considered today one of the most important youth sports tournaments in Europe.