In 1995 Lignano‘s beach rugby become an invitational tournament, and for the first time is played on two days: 16 teams from Italy, Slovenia and Ireland are divided into 4 pools, with qualifying matches on saturday and knockout stages on sunday.

San Donà, Belluno, Rovigo and Ljubljana win their pools: the first two are able to reach the final, and San Donà – featuring Italy’s international Andrea “Ciro” Sgorlon – wins the tournament for the first time.

July 1994: for the second time, on Camping Pino Mare’s beach in Lignano Riviera, 15 teams from Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Ireland compete to win the Bridge Park Beach Rugby Trophy.

The tournament is filmed by local television Telefriuli; honored guests are arch. Forster, Councillor for Sports in the Municipality of Lignano, Ariano Venturini, President of Italian North East Rugby’s Committee and Sergio Dordolo, representative of Italian Federation in Udine’s Province.

For the first time in Italy also two female teams play a beach rugby match: the result is a draw between Alpago and Rovigo.

In the men’s tournament, the final is Feltre against Mogliano, with the latter winning their second staight trophy.

The day when it all started: the first Beach Rugby Tournament in Lignano (Udine – Italy) – June 1993

1st Bridge Park Rugby & Beach Trophy, featuring three Rugby Udine‘s teams, Copernico’s high school team and Lignano Lifeguards’ team.

Camping Pino Mare’s beach, Lignano Riviera