Former Inter coach rescues distressed young women from water
Former Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni made headlines once again, not for his football coaching skills, but for his heroic actions on a beach in southern Italy.
On July 28, 2025, Stramaccioni was on vacation with his family at Sfinale Bay, located in the Gargano area, when he noticed two teenage girls, aged 17 and 19, crying for help in the stormy waters[1][4]. The girls were struggling to stay afloat in the rough sea conditions.
Without hesitation, Stramaccioni sprang into action. He managed to reach the 17-year-old girl first, throwing her between the rocks to safety. However, in his attempt to save the second girl, he hit the rocks himself[2].
The lifeguard on duty had already rushed into the water towards one of the women but did not have a buoy[3]. Other people at the beach threw a rope to help Stramaccioni, and he was able to bring the second girl to safety before she succumbed to the waves[1][2].
The 17-year-old girl's condition was desperate, having swallowed a lot of water. She later reported that she felt she was going to die before being saved[2].
Following the rescue, Stramaccioni was recognized and awarded by the Italian Coast Guard for his courageous and lifesaving actions[4]. Despite the praise, Stramaccioni remained modest about the act, insisting that he was “not a hero,” but simply responding to the emergency[2].
This rescue highlights Stramaccioni’s quick response and courage beyond his football coaching career[1][4]. After his rescue efforts, Stramaccioni returned to his role as a TV pundit, no longer actively coaching football teams. The two rescued women were from South Tyrol and returned to Bolzano after their harrowing experience[5].
| Aspect | Details | |----------------|-----------------------------------| | Date | July 28, 2025 | | Location | Sfinale Bay, Gargano, southern Italy | | Victims | Two teenage girls (17 and 19 years old) | | Conditions | Stormy seas, dangerous water | | Incident | Girls were drowning; Stramaccioni rescued them risking his life | | Aftermath | Awarded by the Coast Guard; he remains modest about the act | | Stramaccioni's Role | Former Inter Milan coach and current TV pundit | | Rescued Women's Destination | South Tyrol, Bolzano |
In the summer of 2025, during a vacation in Sfinale Bay, former Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni demonstrated his courage by risking his life to aid two drowning teenage girls in the stormy waters. Despite now working as a TV pundit and no longer coaching football teams, Stramaccioni's quick response and bravery extended beyond the football field, earning him recognition from the Italian Coast Guard.
