SERIE B. After the big success in the first leg of the playoffs, Ifd loses to Brixia (12-21) but achieves promotion 35 years after its only taste of A. Captain Orlandi’s performance was decisive, a leader and crucial from the kicking tee.
Read more Atalanta, Sarri’s announcement this week
1 min. read
The Italian Floor Design Rugby Bergamo 1950 writes one of the most important pages in its history on the field of the Aso Stadium in Ospitaletto, winning the playoff round (over 160’) against Brixia and returning to Serie A (A2 or «Territoriale» as you wish) 35 years after the last and only time, in the 1990/91 season.
The city team, favored on the eve after the clear success in the first leg at Sghirlanzoni (41-24) and once again driven by an extraordinary crowd (Bergamo receives long-standing home team support), pulls away early with points from Orlandi’s kicking tee (7-12 at the half-hour mark), curbs the Brescian comeback attempt (Brixia wins game 2 only 21-12) and treats itself to a long and well-deserved afternoon of celebration.
Also because if it’s true that the foundations of the promotion – for Italian Floor Design Rugby Bergamo – had already been laid, with evident solidity, between the regular season and the first leg of the playoffs, laying the last stone always represents something special, unique, and memorable.
Even more so where, in March, the only real hiccup (a 30-15 defeat) occurred in the overwhelming 2026 of the men led by coach Roberto Schipani, the team’s technical mastermind, superbly assisted by assistants Danilo Beretta and Ivano Bonacina, both already club icons between the field and the bench and capable of leaving another significant mark in the club’s history books.
An indelible mark, like that of captain Orlandi, decisive from the kicking tee (12 points) and a true leader, and of a team that, if it has shown great vigor and fighting spirit in defending its promotion throughout the season, has reached an overall level of excellence for the category.
Looking to the near future, the team’s level bodes well for the complex but intriguing challenge called Serie A «Territoriale», the third tier of the national top division (A «elite», A1 or «Meritocratica», A2 or «Territoriale»). There will be time to organize next year, now is the time to celebrate: after the beautiful moment of collective post-match joy with many players who were protagonists in ’90/’91 also on the field, there will also be an event in the city next weekend.
Serie B Playoffs
Return leg Brixia-Ifd Rugby Bergamo 21-12 (Ifd in A); Perugia-San Donà 22-21 (San Donà in A); Monferrato-Cus Catania 35-15 (Monferrato in A).
Read more Atalanta in mourning: farewell to Mrs. Randazzo, wife of the historic director
