The warmth of Lanfranchi welcomed the Zebre Parma onto the pitch in their new blue jersey with yellow stripes, under a stunning full moon. The Georgian Black Lion took the field in yellow shirts and black shorts.
After just seven minutes, Zebre were forced into an early change as Neculai left injured, replaced by Franceschetto. Three minutes later, following a messy phase, the referee awarded a penalty try to the visitors, putting them 0–7 ahead. Zebre responded almost immediately: at 12’, Dominguez pounced on a loose ball near the try line to dot down (5–7). Farias missed the conversion.
Building momentum, the Italian franchise struck again in the 21st minute. From a scrum near the red zone, Pitinari powered over. This time Farias added the extras to put Zebre 12–7 in front. On 34 minutes, the hosts produced a flowing move capped by Ciofani, who collected a clever cross-kick from Farias to score. The conversion stretched the lead to 19–7 at the break.
The second half opened with a round of substitutions for Zebre: Ribaldi for Quattrini, Volpi for Krumov and Nocera for Pitinari. The Black Lion came back into it on 49 minutes, Kvatadze crashing over, though Tsirekidze failed with the conversion (19–12). Zebre steadied themselves and, after further changes, struck again in the 56th minute as Stavile crossed following a sustained attack. Farias converted to seal the score at 26–12.
Coach Brunello rotated heavily in the final quarter, giving minutes to permit players and academy prospects. The game slowed in pace, but Zebre finished pressing in the opposition 22.
Under the Lanfranchi lights, centurion Bautista Stavile was named Player of the Match by Est155 Parma. Post-match, the full squad was presented one by one to the home crowd, who also welcomed the announcement of Giovanni Licata as captain for the 2025/26 season. Both Licata and Brunello emphasised the steady growth of the side, while president Giovanni Fava reaffirmed the club’s ambitions on and off the pitch. Celebrations continued with the “third half” in the Club House, once again fully open to the Zebre community.
Parma, Stadio Lanfranchi – Saturday 6 September 2025
Scorers:
1H: 10’ Penalty try (0–7); 12’ Dominguez (5–7); 21’ Pitinari try, Farias con (12–7); 35’ Ciofani try, Farias con (19–7)
2H: 49’ Kvatadze try (19–12); 56’ Stavile try, Farias con (26–12)
Zebre Parma: Pani (20’ Montemauri, 77’ Farias); Corona (72’ Degli Antoni), Morisi (69’ Vitale), Mazza, Ciofani; Roger Farias (64’ Castellazzi), Dominguez (53’ Prinsloo, 72’ Casilio); Ruggeri (51’ Ferrari), Locatelli (33’ Bianchi), Stavile (60’ Milano); Krumov (41’ Volpi), Ortombina (64’ Salvan); Neculai (7’ Franceschetto, 51’ Buonfiglio), Quattrini (41’ Ribaldi), Pitinari (41’ Nocera).
Replacements: Franceschetto, Buonfiglio, Nocera, Ribaldi, Milano, Ferrari, Volpi, Bianchi, Casilio, Prinsloo, Montemauri, Degli Antoni, Cortellazzi, Vitale.
Head Coach: Brunello
Black Lion: Aptsiauri; Tabutsadze, Tapladze, Lutidze, Todua; Tsirekidze, Peranidze; Sinauridze, Tsutskiridze, Tsikhistavi; Espremidze, Babunashvili; Darbaidze, Kvatadze, Abdushelishvili.
Replacements: Mamukashvili, Khatiashvili, Tsikhistavi, Ghaniashvili, Gusharashvili, Kervalishvili, Spanderashvili, Takaishvili, Shvangiradze, Kakhoidze, Kakovin, Tchamiashvili, Chkahartishvili, Nikoladze, Metreveli.
Head Coach: Cockerill
Referee: Piardi
Cards: 10’ yellow card Locatelli (Zebre Parma)
Kickers: Farias (Zebre Parma) 2/3; Tsirekidze (Black Lion) 0/1
Note: Italy internationals rested for Zebre
Player of the Match: Bautista Stavile (Zebre Parma)