The XLIV (44^th edition) of the Italian Bowl, Italy’s national football championship was played in Toledo, Ohio (USA) at the University of Toledo’s Glass Bowl stadium on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This final game of the Italian Football League (IFL) determined the league champion; the matchup was between the league’s top two teams; Guelfi Firenze (Florence) and the Ancona Dolphins.

The Italian Bowl is considered the “Super Bowl” of the IFL. The Guelfi Firenze are the XLIV Italian Bowl champions! The win had Firenze finish the IFL with a perfect undefeated record for the season. The final score was Firenze 49 and Ancona 14. 

The winner of the game was competing for the prestigious Gionni Colombo trophy. The 2025 final season standings had Firenze undefeated at 10-0, and Ancona at 9-1. Guelfi Firenze lifted the Colombo trophy on American soil in Toledo, Ohio. This grand finale, the 44^th edition of the Italian Bowl closes out an exciting 2025 season in Italian football history!

Guelfi Firenze took an early and commanding lead with the score at halftime, Firenze 28 and Ancona 0 (zero). Firenze not only won the championship game; they now hold a true work of Italian art; the prestigious Gionni Colombo trophy. Created for the 44^th Italian Bowl, the trophy is a handcrafted masterpiece by Florence’s historic Bottega Orafa Paolo Penko.

As noted by the renowned master goldsmith Paolo Penko, “This trophy isn’t just an award—it’s a work of art that honors decades of passion and commitment to American football in Italy. We are proud to see it raised for the first time on American soil.”  

During the games halftime, the Consul of Italy in Detroit, Paola Allegra Baistrocchi bestowed “Cavaliere” (knighted) to local Toledoan Mr. Louis Tosi.

Some history, back in 2023, Italian Bowl XLII (42^nd) the first Italian Bowl was played at the Glass Bowl Stadium on the campus of The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA. This marked the first IFL Championship held outside of Europe. Almost 10,000 people attended the event while a considerable number watched on cable both in the USA and Italy. 

This championship game, the 44^th edition of the Italian Bowl marks a great episode for Italian football in America, the city of Toledo, Ohio and Italy.