Massimo Cremona started 2006 on a very positive note winning the 30th edition of “Trofeo Citta di Catania” in Sicily. It was also his first honour in Catania.

Catania SC gave the first opportunity to Cremona to play abroad among their ranks two seasons ago in the Italian Serie B league. With them, he had the opportunity to show his abilities and talent, where now he is currently engaged by Italy giant CS Reggiana in Serie A.

Thirty four players took part, all of them from the region of Sicily except for Cremona being the only foreign player taking part. He started as a firm favourite to win the tournament.

In the final he beat Catania SC player Guiseppe Guzzetta 2-0.

It was an easy road for Cremona till the quarter final. His level was far beyond reach, winning matches in the group stage with high 10-0, 12-1 and 8-0 scores. In the last 16, he then registered the biggest result of the tournament eliminating Calcagno 14-0.

In the quarter final his next opponent was Palermo Ivano Russo beating him 5-1.

In the semi final against Catania’s Berselli, he had to wait till the last eight seconds of the game to score the winning goal (1-0) thus avoiding extra time.

In the final then he had to meet another home Catania player Guzetta beating him 2-0, with both goals coming in the middle of the second half.

Thisweekend, 21-22 January, Cremona will be in Belgium taking part in the International Open of Brussels, where the Top 8 players in the world will be taking part. The venue for the tournament will be the National Stadium of Belgium Football Federation, the King Baudouin Stadium (ex-Heysel Stadium).