International soccer coming to Falls

A change to meet a striker who played for Italy in the 1978 World Cup and a three-team tournament featuring a team from Italy highlights the inaugural International Youth Soccer Under-17 Cup getting underway Monday in Niagara Falls. Club Italia and Toronto Azzurri co-hosting the two-day tournament with all events taking place at Club Italia at the corner of Kalar and Montrose roads. A training session from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday showcasing the under-17 Juventus club from Italy will be followed by an old-timers game between Club Italia and Toronto Azzurri. Roberto Bettega, a prolific scorer who helped Juventus win several titles and competed internationally for Italy, is special guest at a dinner beginning at 8 p.m. Bettega was nicknamed La penna Bianca (“white feather”) due to his appreance and Bobby Gol! due to his penchant for scoring. He played in the 1980 European championships, helping his team to a fourth-place finish, and was unable to contribute to Italy’s victory at the World Cup in 1982 due to injury. Three 45-minute games will be played in a mini tournament from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Taking part along with the Juventus under-17s are Club Italia and a Canada Select all-star team. Some proceeds of the event will be sent to support two children orphaned when an avalanche struck Italy’s Abruzzi region early this year. Club Italia representative Luciano Chieca said the club hopes to hold the event every other year. Call Club Italia at 905-374-7388 for tickets and for more information.