The Roverettes go Rovereto!

Our ladies' team recently returned from a weekend getaway to Italy, having arranged a friendly against a local side from Rovereto. After travelling to neighbouring Trento for an inaugural international friendly last spring, the Rovers were eager to head back for more football, sightseeing and, of course, an Aperol or two.

Not even unexpected road closures due to heavy snowfall in South Tyrol could keep the team from completing the nearly five-hour journey south from Munich to the picturesque town of Rovereto, nestled in the Vallagarina valley at the southern edge of the Italian Alps.
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As matchday dawned and the sun intermittently peeked out from behind the clouds, the Rovers made their way to U.S. Isera Calcio Femminile home ground, which offered stunning views of the surrounding mountains. A look at the grass pitch revealed the effect the chilly spring temperatures had on the playing surface – maybe white shorts weren't such a good idea – as the team made their way into the dressing room to get ready. A total of 14 players suited up, with others on the bench to offer support and, more crucially, keep track of substitutions. After posing for a joint team photo beforehand, the whistle blew to signal the start of the encounter between the hosts and their visitors from Munich!

Our ladies were playing their first competitive game since November, against opponents that have been busy preparing to pick up where they left off in the Eccellenza femminile, the fourth tier of women's football in Italy. Under head coach Luca Zorzutti, U.S.D. Isera have collected 25 points from nine games and sit top of the division, posing stiff competition for the Rovers. The hosts quickly made their quality known, and despite a brave fight from the Rovers, Isera would end the match victorious.
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The result didn't put a damper on the trip, however, as both sides came together afterwards at the nearby clubhouse. With the Rovers' Italian contingent able to help translate when needed, the two teams parted ways after promising to meet up again in the future. The football was just one part of the getaway though. Team bonding in local Trattorias was also high up on the agenda, and there was plenty of Aperol and Limoncello on offer late into the night, before the ladies returned home ready to take on the second half of the season even more united.