These are indeed exciting times for Juventus fans in Malta.
And it’s not just because their beloved club have reached the Champions League final for the first time in 12 years after completing a domestic league and cup double.
News that three former Juventus players are visiting Malta between June 12 and 14 will further enhance the feelgood factor among the legions of Bianconeri followers on our shores.
A beaming Joe Fenech, the president of the Juventus Club Vero Amore, yesterday announced that local Juve supporters will have the opportunity to meet Alessandro Birindelli, Edgard Davids and Ciro Ferrara next week.
The visit of the three former club stalwarts, who have all won an array of honours during their spells with the Serie A giants, is part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Juventus Club Vero Amore Malta that was recently honoured as the biggest Juve supporters’ branch outside Italy.
“This year, our club has won the award as the biggest Juve supporters’ club outside Italy,” Fenech told a news conference at his company’s showroom in Sta Venera with his growing collection of Juventus shirts and memorabilia serving as a fitting backdrop.
“This is not a casual achievement for us.
“We have been working hard to reach this target and we are grateful to our increasing members for the faith they are showing in our club.
“On the Maltese islands, there are two other Juventus fan clubs, one in Mrieħel and the other in Gozo, but at the end of the day we all support the same team. Hence, I want to dedicate this award to all the Juventus fans in our country.”
Flanked by fellow committee member Manuel Cassar, Fenech went on to outline the initiatives undertaken by his club in the last two years to improve the service to their members who currently total more than 700.
While hundreds of local Bianconeri fans are heading to Berlin to watch tomorrow’s much-anticipated Champions League final against Barcelona, the Juve Club Vero Amore are staging a street party outside their premises in Birkirkara.
“Juventus are the underdogs,” Fenech said. “(Coach) Massimiliano Allegri took over the team on July 15 last year and in his first season, he has led Juventus to the Champions League final.
“I’m an optimist by nature and I believe that we can do it. I’m saddened by the news that defender Giorgio Chiellini is out of the game due to injury but Allegri is an expert.
“I’m sure he will send out the strongest team available and select the best strategy.”
Fenech pointed out that, as a sign of respect and loyalty to the club members, the committee officials are not travelling to Berlin and will be watching the final at the club. A big screen is being erected outside the Juve Club Vero Amore with the activity also open to non-members.
Fenech said the visits of Birindelli, Davids and Ferrara will cost the club around €10,000 in flights, accommodation and appearance fees, but stressed that the committee is willing to make a financial sacrifice because for them “the members are a priority... they deserve the best”.
On June 14, Davids and Ferrara will be the guests of honour at a Sunday lunch. Time-permitting, the two former players could also spend some time at the clubhouse in the evening.
Two days earlier, Birindelli will also be at the club to meet the Juve Club Vero Amore members and other supporters.