Award for Vincenzo Montella from Italy

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi and National Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella were deemed worthy of an award at the Euro-Mediterranean Excellence Awards held in Italy.

The Euro-Mediterranean Excellence Awards, organized by the Mediterranean Journalists Association and the E-Novation Foundation and supported by the Italian Sports Press Association (USSI), found their recipients at a ceremony held at the Rome City Hall.

At the ceremony, which brought together famous names from the business, art, and sports communities in Mediterranean countries, the efforts of those who made a difference on an international scale with their work in the region and contributed to peace, friendship, and culture were rewarded.

RECEIVED THE EXCELLENCE AWARD

In this context, TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi was deemed worthy of the "Excellence" award for ensuring that the 2032 European Football Championship (EURO 2032) would be organized in a Turkey-Italy partnership, and Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella was awarded for ensuring the National Football Team's participation in EURO 2024 within a short time after taking office.

Montella received his award from USSI President Gianfranco Coppola and Mediterranean Journalists Association President Dündar Keşaplı.

The Italian coach stated that he was very proud to be deemed worthy of the award and thanked the award committee.

Montella also accepted the award on behalf of TFF President Büyükekşi, who could not attend the ceremony.

At the ceremony, Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina was also awarded for his efforts toward the joint organization of EURO 2032 by Turkey and Italy.

"IT PLEASES ME"

National Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella said in his statement to journalists at the award ceremony, "This is a source of pride. I work abroad. It pleases me that what I have done is appreciated in this way."

When asked what he thought about Turkey finishing as the leader in the EURO 2024 Qualifiers, Montella said, "As the Turkish National Team, we are happy that we finished the group as leaders by winning. This is the first time this has happened in the European Championship Qualifiers. There is still time to prepare for the championship. This championship will be at a higher level. We want to do a good job. There was excitement during the draw, but it is difficult to make a choice. In the end, they are all very difficult matches."

When asked if he felt a responsibility because the championship will be played in Germany, where many Turks live, Montella replied, "Absolutely, yes. We played a friendly match in Germany last month. There were more than 50 thousand people in the stadium. We know very well that we have many fans in Germany. We are aware of the responsibility we have to make our citizens proud."

Upon a question, Montella also said that Hakan Çalhanoğlu is currently the best midfielder in Italy.

PRAISE FROM DINO ZOFF

One of the names who received an award at the ceremony, legendary former Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff, spoke highly of Montella in a video message he sent.

Reminding that Montella was his student at EURO 2000, Zoff said, "Now I see that he has ensured Turkey's participation in the European Championship. I am especially happy and very pleased about this. Montella is a good person. I have wonderful memories with him because he was a really important name in my national team squad."

Expressing that he wishes Montella to do a good job, Zoff said, "However, I hope Italy will be a little higher in the European Championship. He will forgive me for this. A championship or second place would be nice, of course. I sincerely wish him well in his work."