Dynamic duo share Italian award
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Article summary
Francesco Totti and Pavel Nedved have been jointly presented with the Italian Footballer of the Year award.
Article body
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti and Juventus FC midfield player Pavel Nedved have been jointly presented with the Italian Footballer of the Year award.
Nedved honours
The final poll between the best Italian player, Totti, and Nedved, the finest foreigner in Serie A, ended in a draw which resulted in the Italian Footballers' Association handing the award to the talented twosome. It is yet more recognition for Czech Nedved, 31, who was named the European Footballer of the Year last month and yesterday claimed a place in the uefa.com users' Team of 2003.
Collina award
Two other Team of 2003 members, Gianluigi Buffon and Alessandro Nesta, were respectively named goalkeeper and defender of the year, while Totti's fellow Roma frontman Antonio Cassano landed the young player award. Juve's Marcello Lippi was named coach of the year for leading the Bianconeri to the 2002/03 Scudetto and the UEFA Champions League final, where they lost on penalties to AC Milan. Referee Pierluigi Collina was also honoured.
