Matti di Te – Mattia Giani Memorial

A sports festival in Mattia's name

"Matti di Te – Mattia Giani Memorial" is the event in San Romano, a hamlet of the Municipality of Montopoli in Val d'Arno (Pisa, Tuscany), that unites sport, fun, and solidarity in memory of Mattia Giani, the 26-year-old footballer who passed away in April 2024 following a sudden illness during a match. From that loss, a desire was born to turn memory into a concrete gesture: an event that focuses on sport as a community experience and prevention through the distribution of defibrillators.

24 hours of non-stop sport

The heart of the event is the sports field on Via Bulignano, which transforms into a massive sports village for an entire day and night. The format has expanded since its first edition: moving from standard hours to 24 hours of non-stop sport to accommodate the growing number of teams and participants. The scheduled disciplines include:

• the five-a-side football tournament, the true engine of the event, with dozens of teams competing non-stop;
• beach volleyball, hosted on a court specifically set up within the facility;
• a mini-basketball tournament;
• zumba sessions, music-led walks, and performances open to everyone.

Guests and testimonials

Over the years, the event has attracted well-known faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment who are connected to the region or the cause. Announced guests include AS Roma defender and local icon Gianluca Mancini and singer-songwriter Alex Britti, alongside former Serie A footballers and web personalities like the TikToker Pippetto. The presence of these champions makes the event a precious opportunity for fans and, above all, for the younger generation.

Sport and prevention: defibrillators

The profound meaning of "Matti di Te" is cardioprotection: all proceeds from the event are donated to the purchase and installation of defibrillators (AEDs) within the municipality, at sports facilities, schools, and strategic locations. The first edition already enabled the installation of new defibrillators in several spots across the Municipality of Montopoli in Val d'Arno, accompanied by practical demonstrations on their proper use.

The charity dinner

Closing the two-day event is the grand charity dinner, one of the most anticipated and well-attended moments, featuring hundreds of guests, entertainment, and a raffle with prizes provided by sports clubs and supporters. It is also an occasion to thank the volunteers, associations, and the community that make the event possible every year.

A Tuscan community event

"Matti di Te" is much more than a tournament: it is a local festival that has managed to transform grief into a message of life, mobilizing the entire hamlet of San Romano and the Municipality of Montopoli in Val d'Arno. The Public Assistance and local law enforcement ensure safety and support, while the energy of hundreds of volunteers makes the Mattia Giani Memorial a firmly established fixture in Tuscany's sporting and charitable calendar.