Next season the Tim Cup will have a double title. The winners of the Coppa Italia will also recieve a cup which will be commemorating the 15oth anniversary of the Unification of Italy. This was announced by the deputy secretary of the council presidency Gianni Letta and the Minister of Defence Ignazio La Russa who came up with the project. “The format – explained the minister, a keen Inter fan – foresees the national anthem being played before each match, something which up to now was only done before international matches, a film, the presence of children with a commemorative t-shirt and will be launched on the 12th August at San Siro during the Italian Super Cup match between Inter and Roma.” 

Today, the Minister for Defence and the deputy secretary of the council presidency together with the Lega Calcio president Maurixio Beretta, confirmed officially that this year apart from the traditional cup, the winning team will also recieve a trophy commemorating the Unification of Italy.

“The ministerial committee saw in minister La Russa the person behind with an idea which with great fantasy enriched the programme with two initiatives of great effect and popular impact” said Letta during the press conference which was called on purpose at Palazzo Chigi. La Russa, after having thanked the deputy secreatry also thanked Beretta for having “given the go ahead and the positive definition by the Lega Calcio” for the initiative. Obviously, added the minister for Defence “in agreement with the president of the Republic”, we thought of “adding a title to the Coppa Italia with another cup: The Cup for the 150th anniversary for the Unification of Italy”.

Berretta concluded the press conference: “We think that the extraordinary phenomenon of football can divide people on a competition level but can also greatly unite and bring together passions and enthusiasm and the idea of combining this fundamental anniversary in the history of our country and I believe it represents an opportunity in this sense”.