The Italian Bowl makes its return to the University of Toledo’s Glass Bowl on June 28, following the success of the 2023 championship game held in the Glass City.
On July 1, 2023, the Italian Bowl XLII took place at the Glass Bowl as the first Italian Bowl played outside of Europe. Tens of thousands of fans participated in the advance and game-day festivities in Toledo while many more streamed the game both in the United States and Italy.
There are currently 12 teams in the Italian Football League vying for their chance to compete in the title game. The IFL is broken up into two groups, with the top three teams from each group qualifying for the playoffs at season’s end the weekend of May 24 and 25.
With the season having passed the midway point, a few of the teams have emerged as more serious contenders.
Here’s a detailed look at five of the IFL’s top teams that could be in Toledo come June:
Firenze Guelfi (7-0)
Firenze is averaging 50.6 points and has done it without a field goal so far on the season. The Guelfi have only punted nine times through the first seven games. They have accumulated 51 touchdowns, which is almost as many as the next two teams combined (59).
Quarterback Andrea Fimiani is the straw that stirs the drink for the Guelfi, as he has amassed 1,029 yards rushing through seven games. Fimiani is the first quarterback in league history to top 1,000 yards rushing. He is no stranger to Toledo, having played in the 2023 Italian Bowl.
A top target for Fimiani is wide receiver Frank Stola, who played at NCAA Division III Williams College. He leads the league in scoring and receiving touchdowns. Stola holds six school receiving records from his time at Williams.
Defensively for Firenze, Colin Schooler leads the league in tackles and tackles for loss. He played at Arizona, winning Pac-12 freshman of the year, and then at Texas Tech. He participated in the XFL/United Football League in 2023 and 2024.
Ancona Dolphins (5-1)
Ancona will be looking to make its first Italian Bowl.
The Dolphins own the No. 1 rushing offense and No. 2 scoring defense in the IFL. Also, they have the No. 2 passing offense that has given up the fewest sacks.
Signal caller Blake Robert Eaton is league’s top passer. Eaton played at Division III Linfield University, where as a senior he passed for 1,620 yards with 20 TDs to just seven interceptions in seven games.
The Dolphins’ top receiver is Tyler Terhark — also one of the league’s best punt returners. Terhark played in college at FCS power North Dakota State.
Legnano Frogs (5-1)
Legnano is a frequent representative in the Italian Bowl. The Frogs have made 11 appearances in the big game, recording six wins.
They boast the league’s best total defense (nine TDs allowed) and passing defense.
Dan Kittner is an all-purpose athlete for the Frogs’ offense. He leads the league in receptions (60) and receiving yards (773), adding 271 yards on the ground, which is the fifth-best mark in the IFL.
Kittner starred at Division II University of Mary in college, where he logged 291 catches, 3,651 yards, and 29 TDs and was a first team All-American. He got an invite to the Chicago Bears minicamp after his time at the University of Mary.
Quarterback Luke Zahradka is a two-time Italian Bowl MVP. He is the league leader in passing, completing 125 of 177 passes (70.6 percent) with 1,533 yards and 14 TDs. Zahradka has been considered one of the top quarterbacks in Europe for years.
Parma Panthers (5-2)
The Parma Panthers were victorious over the Firenze Guelfi 29-13 the last time the Italian Bowl was held in the Glass City. Parma, in fact, has become sort of a mainstay in the game, winning the past two titles and three of four overall.
The Panthers have won the second-most Italian Bowl titles, winning seven to the Bergamo Lions’ 12.
Guiding the Panthers is head coach Brian Michitti, a Fairfield, Ohio, native who played at Hanover College in Indiana.
Parma maintains the No. 2 scoring offense, averaging 35 points per game.
Defensively, they allow fewer than 15 points per game, which is good enough for third in the league in scoring defense. The Panthers are first in sacks with 20 on the season.
Dominick Fiscelli is third in the IFL in rushing with 393 yards on 39 attempts (10.1 yards per rush) and three TDs. He is a Utica, Mich., native who played D-II college football for Saginaw Valley State and Northern State.
QB Robbie Patterson, who was a key piece in Parma’s run to the 2024 title, has thrown for 14 TDs to just two interceptions through seven games this season.
Torino Giaguari (4-2)
Fairly new to the IFL scene, having been promoted to Italy’s highest level of football competition in 2023, the Giaguari are having a breakout season this year.
Torino is third in the league in scoring at 30.8 points per game and second in total offense. A catalyst for the Giaguari on offense is QB Evan Lewandowski, who is fourth in the league in passing, completing 74 of 140 passes (52.9 percent) for 1,266 yards and 15 TDs.
Lewandowski is also third in the IFL in passing efficiency. In 2019 at Wisconsin-La Crosse, he tied the NCAA D-III record with nine passing TDs in a game. Lewandowski spent his final two years of eligibility at Wisconsin-Whitewater and spent some time in Arena Football One, the successor of the Arena Football League.
