Stefano Fiore

Lore & Background

Fiore played for several Italian clubs throughout his career; he started out with Cosenza in 1992, before moving to Parma for a season in 1994, where he made his Serie A debut and won the UEFA Cup. He spent two seasons at Padova and Chievo, before returning to Parma again for two more seasons in 1997, where he broke into the starting line-up and won a double which consisted of his second UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia in 1999. He subsequently moved to Udinese, where he spent two successful seasons, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2000 and thus helping his team qualify for Europe. A move to Lazio ensued, where he won his second Coppa Italia in 2004, finishing as the competition's top-scorer. His performances led to a transfer to Spanish side Valencia later that year, where he struggled to replicate his previous form despite initially winning the UEFA Supercup, and he was subsequently sent back to Italy on loan to Fiorentina, Torino, and Livorno during his three seasons with the club. In 2007, he returned permanently to Italy, signing with Mantova for a season; after remaining inactive during the 2008–09 season, he moved to Cosenza in 2009, where he ended his career after two seasons. At international level, Fiore won 38 caps for the Italy national football team between 2000 and 2004, and scored twice. At youth level, he was a member of the team that won the 1997 Mediterranean Games, while at senior level he was selected to the Italy squads for UEFA Euro 2000, in which he scored one goal as his team reached the final, and UEFA Euro 2004.

Reader's Guide

Fiore began his professional career with Cosenza in 1992. He moved to Parma in 1994, making his Serie A debut on 11 December 1994. After spells at Padova and Chievo, he returned to Parma in 1997, becoming a starter in the 1998–99 season and winning the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup. In June 1999, he moved to Udinese, scoring a personal best of 9 goals in the 1999–2000 Serie A season and winning the 2000 UEFA Intertoto Cup. He joined Lazio in June 2001, winning the 2003–04 Coppa Italia as top scorer. He transferred to Valencia later in 2004, winning the UEFA Supercup, but struggled and was loaned to Fiorentina in July 2005, then to Torino (deadline day of the January 2007 transfer window), and to Livorno on 31 January 2007. He signed with Mantova in August 2007, was inactive in 2008–09, and returned to Cosenza in September 2009, retiring in 2011.

Did You Know?

• Fiore scored what many regard as the goal of the tournament in Italy's 2–0 victory over co-hosts Belgium at Euro 2000.
• He won the UEFA Cup twice with Parma, in 1995 and 1999.