The Molise Under-14 Beach Bocce team captured the gold medal at the Trofeo CONI 2026 in Castellaneta Marina, finishing a six-match sweep with a dramatic 12–11 comeback victory in the final against Veneto.
Castellaneta Marina Gold Caps Perfect Run
Representing the regional sports movement, the squad from Bocciofila AVIS Campobasso won every game in the national youth tournament. Tommaso Barrea, Anthony Simiele, Cristian Scerra, and Federico Rosa formed the core roster on the sand in Puglia, operating under the direction of coach Mario Perrella and delegation head Maria Antonietta Di Paolo.
The gold medal marks the second gold for FIB Molise’s youth sector this season, following an Under-15 Raffa precision shooting title won by Simone Antoniani last September. The path through Castellaneta Marina featured steady group-stage victories before the knockout rounds tested the team’s composure.
Road to the Final and Semifinal Victory
Molise opened the tournament phase with a 12–4 win over Abruzzo, followed by a 12–7 defeat of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Tight matches followed against Lazio, ending 12–10, and Marche, which finished 12–11 at the wire.
In the semifinal round, the young Molise side met reigning champions Umbria. The team secured a 12–3 victory to advance directly to the tournament’s final match against Veneto, setting up the championship showdown.
Championship Comeback Against Veneto
Veneto controlled the early stages of the gold-medal match, pulling ahead to a 10–4 lead that left Molise facing a steep deficit. Barrea, Simiele, Scerra, and Rosa responded by mounting a point-by-point recovery on the beach courts.
Regaining tactical control and steadying their execution, the Molise quartet erased the margin to overtake Veneto and close out a 12–11 victory. Coach Mario Perrella noted the team’s resilience under pressure during the final stretch.
Molise Delegation Performance Highlights Regional Youth Development
FIB Molise President and CONI Campobasso Provincial Delegate Giuseppe Formato attended the opening ceremonies at the Stadio della Vittoria in Bari for the multi-sport event, which is set to transition to the Trofeo CONI-CIP designation next year. Formato pointed to the result as validation of ongoing youth development investments across local clubs, schools, and families.
With 4,500 young athletes participating across the national festival of youth sport in Italy, the Molise delegation’s performance places a spotlight on the region’s developing boccistico sector.
