Hellas Verona

Lore & Background

Founded in 1903 as Associazione Calcio Hellas, the club was a founder member of Serie B in 1929–30. Hellas won their first promotion to Serie A in 1957. The 1980s were the most successful period in the club's history, during which it also reached the Coppa Italia final twice consecutively (out of three total appearances) and played several matches in European competitions, including one appearance in the European Cup and two in the UEFA Cup. The team's nicknames are 'the Mastiffs' and 'the Scaligeri', referring to the Della Scala family that ruled Verona between the 13th and 14th centuries. The club has been associated with politically far-right ultras since at least the 1970s, and has repeatedly had racist incidents occur in the stands over the decades. In January 2025, it was announced that the club was acquired by American private equity Presidio Investors.

In Their Own Story

Inter held a slender lead, but Verona, led by their relentless midfield, refused to yield. The air was thick with tension as every pass from the Nerazzurri was met with a desperate tackle. A sudden counter-attack saw a Verona striker break free, the ball skidding toward the goal, only for the Inter goalkeeper to make a miraculous save that echoed through the stadium, sealing a victory that would define a season.

Reader's Guide

Hellas Verona's colours, yellow and blue, are based on the city's coat of arms, which are actually gold and azure. The Scaligeri coat of arms is reflected in the club's badge as a stylized image of two mastiffs facing in opposite directions. The club's most successful period was the 1980s, culminating in the 1984–85 Scudetto. The team made its first European appearance in the 1983–84 UEFA Cup and reached the UEFA Cup quarterfinals in 1988. After financial difficulties in 1991, the team folded and was reborn as Verona, regularly moving between Serie A and Serie B for several seasons. In 1995, the name was officially changed back to Hellas Verona.

Did You Know?

• Hellas Verona is the only team from a city that is not a regional capital to have won the Serie A title since 1929.
• The club's nickname 'the Scaligeri' refers to the Della Scala family that ruled Verona between the 13th and 14th centuries.
• Hellas Verona reached the Coppa Italia final three times, including two consecutive appearances in the 1980s.
• The club was founded in 1903 by students at Liceo 'Scipione Maffei' and named Hellas (the Greek word for Greece) at the request of a classics professor.