Cavalieri Union Rugby Secures Historic Serie A2 Promotional Spot with Thrilling Victory Over Parma

Prato, Italy — May 18, 2026 — In a stunning upset that has sent shockwaves through Italian rugby, Cavalieri Union Rugby (Serie A2) defeated Rugby Parma 1931 33-28 in a high-stakes semifinal qualifier, securing their place in the Serie A Elite promotion final. The victory, achieved despite playing in reduced numbers for 15 minutes, marks the first time in club history that Cavalieri Union has advanced to the final round of the national championship.

The win sets up an unprecedented clash on May 30, 2026, when Cavalieri Union will face Rugby Parabiago, the dominant force in Serie A1, in a match that will determine promotion to Italy’s top-tier league. The semifinal match, played at Parma’s Stadio XXV Aprile, was a rollercoaster, with Cavalieri Union leading 27-7 at halftime before Parma mounted a fierce comeback.

— ### A Dominant First Half and a Resilient Comeback Cavalieri Union’s attack was relentless in the opening 40 minutes, with four tries from Morelli (converted by Puglia), Cella, Gosa (converted by Paternieri), and Di Leo, along with a penalty from Puglia. The second half, however, saw Parma fight back with two tries from Nisica (converted by Colla), though Cavalieri Union’s discipline became a liability when Facchini, Calizzano, and Tizzi were all shown yellow cards, forcing the team to play short-handed for critical minutes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cavalieri Union’s resilience shone through. Captain Puglia and Dabizzi sealed the victory with late penalties, ensuring the 33-28 final score. The match’s emotional high point came when Puglia crossed for his second try of the game, a moment that shifted momentum decisively in Cavalieri’s favor. — ### Coaching and Player Reactions: Pride and Determination Head Coach Alberto Chiesa praised his team’s character, stating: > *“We knew Parma would be tough, and they were. Every player contributed to making this match special—one that entertained the crowd and kept us all on the edge of our seats. The second half was challenging with the yellow cards, but the will to win overcame any fear of being overtaken. This result shows our team’s ability to break down defenses and play attacking rugby. Now, we go to Parabiago with the same confidence we brought to Parma.”* Director of Sport Francesco Fusi echoed the sentiment, highlighting the broader significance of the victory: > *“This is an incredible achievement for the club. The boys have earned this semifinal spot with 19 wins in 20 matches this season, and the bonus points we’ve secured speak to our consistency. We’re grateful to our fans, sponsors, and staff—this is a moment we’ll remember forever. The next challenge is even bigger, but we’re ready.”* — ### Key Takeaways: What This Means for Italian Rugby 1. Historic First for Cavalieri Union – The club’s advancement to the Serie A Elite final is a landmark in its 90-year history, reflecting a season of unprecedented success under Chiesa’s leadership. 2. A Season of Dominance – Cavalieri Union’s 19 wins in 20 matches (with 18 bonus-point victories) underscores their offensive prowess and defensive resilience, setting them apart in Serie A2. 3. The Road Ahead: Parabiago Showdown – The May 30 final against Parabiago (current Serie A1 leaders) will be Italy’s most-watched rugby match of the season. Cavalieri Union’s ability to perform under pressure will be tested like never before. 4. Lessons in Resilience – Playing down a man for 15 minutes yet still winning demonstrates Cavalieri’s mental toughness—a trait that will be crucial against Parabiago’s physicality. — ### Match Statistics and Lineups #### Final Score: Rugby Parma 28 – 33 Cavalieri Union Try Scorers: – Cavalieri Union: Morelli, Cella, Gosa, Puglia, Di Leo, Nisica (x2) – Rugby Parma: Meta di punizione (67’) Converters: – Cavalieri Union: Puglia (4/6), Dabizzi (1/1) – Rugby Parma: Paternieri (1/1), Colla (2/2) Key Disciplinary: – Yellow Cards: Facchini (59’), Calizzano (62’), Tizzi (68’) #### Starting Lineups Rugby Parma 1931: Marani, Sorio (C), Pagliarini, Manfrini, Busetto (40’ Bianconcini), Paternieri M. (45’ Degli Antoni), Colla, Manni (11’ Balestrieri), Adorni, Pop (69’ Gerosa), Sharku (45’ Caselli), Mordacci, Kakaliashvili (63’ Morelli), Gosa (45’ Nisica), Alcantara (45’ Calì) *Head Coach:* Fabio Frati Cavalieri Union Rugby: Castellana (73’ Dalla Porta, 76’ Ristic), Cella, Marioni (48’ Dabizzi), Pancini, Fondi (62’ Trivilino), Puglia (C), Bencini, Morelli, Facchini, Righini, Mardegan, Casciello (59’ Calizzano), Giagnoni (69’ Dardi), Di Leo (58’ Tizzi), Rudalli (68’ Sansone) *Head Coach:* Alberto Chiesa Referee: Lorenzo Pedezzi (BS) — ### What’s Next? The Final and Beyond The Serie A Elite promotion final on May 30, 2026, will pit Cavalieri Union against Rugby Parabiago, a team known for its physicality and tactical discipline. If Cavalieri Union wins, they will achieve promotion to Serie A Elite for the first time in their history—a feat that would cement their status as a rising force in Italian rugby. For now, the focus remains on celebrating this historic semifinal victory and preparing for the ultimate test. As Chiesa put it: > *“We’ve shown we can compete with the best. Now, we just need to do it again—this time, in front of a national audience.”* —