The UEFA Super Cup – a perfect opportunity to show the rest of the world what Udine is all about. And with an eye on Euro 2032, a chance for Italy, co-hosts with Turkey in seven years, to give a taster of what to expect when major tournament football returns to the country.

Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham fans flocked to Udine, where they watched the French side come back from two goals down before winning on penalties.

And Destination Calcio joined them…

The city

Like thousands of others arriving in Udine, we found our way through the winding streets and Super Cup banners to Piazza della Libertà, the home of the Loggia di San Giovanni and the Torre dell’Orologio – the town hall and historical clock tower. For one week, the area would be turned into a vibrant party zone where fans could meet at beer stalls and enjoy some of Friuli’s finest food.

The cup

Factoring in the searing 34-degree heat, and given it was the week of the Ferragosto holidays, the city of 98,000 seemed much smaller. Well, there was the addition of 25,000 fans, and most of them stopped by to get a photo with the Super Cup in Piazza Libertà.

The Stadio Friuli

Known as Bluenergy Stadium whenever Udinese play home matches, the Stadio Friuli was chosen to host the 2025 UEFA Super Cup in December. Along with Juventus Stadium, the 25,000-seater is now widely considered a likely destination for Euro 2032. You can find out more in our Stadium Guide series.

Hometown boy

The last time Italy hosted a UEFA Super Cup, Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was only three months old. That was back in January of 1997, when it was still a two-legged affair, as PSG met Juventus at Palermo’s Stadio Renzo Barbera.

With his family in attendance, the fairytale eluded the former Udinese man. Vicario, two months from turning 29, was unable to prevent his side from losing a penalty shootout.

COYS (Come on you Spurs)

Cristian Romero was one of two Tottenham players to score at the Stadio Friuli. The former Genoa and Atalanta defender made it 2-0 early in the second half and ran to the Spurs fans to celebrate.

Patience pays off

PSG fans made their presence felt at the match, the 5,000-strong contingent often drowning out the Spurs army of 20,000 when down by two goals – and it all paid off eventually.

Piazza I Maggiore: Spurs fan zone

Perhaps the most frustrated of all Tottenham supporters right now, seven-year-old Zach travelled the 865-mile journey from the United Kingdom with his father Matt.

“Any win will do,” the youngster told us hours before kick-off in the Fan Zone. And it all started so brilliantly, didn’t it, Zach? Time for a consolation gelato in Piazza Libertà.

Of course, we left our mark on Udine…