Juventus Primavera -v- EMFC Select
Juventus International Friendly - Another excellent soccer game!
EMFC hosted the Juventus Primavera team during its two-day visit to Eugene last week. The highlight was the exciting game at the UO Pape Field on Tuesday night, where almost 2000 fans watched the Eugene Metro FC Select team beat the Italian squad in kicks after a 2-2 tie. Select strikers Jason Leopoldo (UCLA) and Robby Christner (OSU) thrilled the home crowd with two excellent goals in the second half.
Our club also hosted a banquet Monday night at the Emerald Valley Golf Course for both teams' players and coaches. During the evening presentations, the visiting team from Turin, Italy presented Eugene Metro FC with a beautiful Juventus FC plaque, and Eugene Metro honored the family of the late Gino Schettini, who was instrumental in bringing last year's AC Milan Primavera team to Eugene.
Many people helped with this event, including the following who deserve special recognition:
- U11 Players from the Roma, Boca Junior, and River Plate teams, who participated in the opening ceremony
- U14 Real Metro players who volunteered as ball boys
- Select Team Manager Guy Arbogast and Select Coaches Jurgen Ruckaberle, Mac Wilson, Joe Beeler, Parker Nehl, and Phil Larsen, who prepared the Select team for victory!
- All the parents and players who volunteered as ushers, sold raffle tickets and t-shirts, and passed out programs at the game (especially Terri and Bailey Bruhn who came early to help set up!)
- Ron Crasilneck, Greg Foote, Paul Rowe, and Amy Helickson, who were key event volunteers
Our club owes enormous gratitude to Myrna Dorfman and Guy Arbogast, who worked with me to organize both the Juventus and the AC Milan International Friendly events . All three of us are forever grateful to Beppe Macchi and Maurizio Paparo who hosted the visiting Italian teams, and to UO Soccer Coach Tara Erickson and Asst Athletic Director Mark Ruckwardt for providing such a beautiful venue for this event.
Finally, please show your gratitude to the following businesses and organizations that supported this event:
Evon Smith
- adidas
- Bira Moretti
- Beppe and Gianni's Trattoria
- La Perla Pizzeria Napolatana
- Brindiamo Catering
- Ciao Pizza
- Bi-Mart
- Pepsi-Cola
- Datalogic Scanning
- Direct Kick Soccer
- Oregon Imaging Center
- Smith Family Bookstore
- Slocum Center
- Market of Choice
- Rexius
- University of Oregon Athletic Dept.
- Kidsports
- Oregon Medical Group
- Keifer Kia/Mazda
- Soccer is Real Futbol
- Eric Keskey - Graphic Design
- Christine Beneda-Beneda Design
- Rainbow Optics
- Webfoot Printing
- Cardae Flowers and Gifts
- Starbucks
- Nike
- Todd Bosworth - Photographer
- Rio Capper - Photographer