To celebrate the historic twinning between the fans, Italian clubs Parma Calcio 1913 and U.C. Sampdoria will "exchange" their shirts. The teams will wear the special kits in the upcoming Serie A 2018/19 Week 36 clash at the Tardini on 5 May, thanks also to the collaboration of technical sponsors Errea and Joma and both clubs.
Interestingly, less than three weeks ago, Umbro, Schalke and Nürnberg launched new special-edition 'friendship' kits under the slogan "Trikottausch" (shirt swap) to celebrate the friendship of the fans of both German clubs.
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The fans of Unione Calcio Sampdoria and Parma Calcio 1913 have had a friendship for nearly 30 years.
The bond between the two clubs began in the 1990/91 season, during Parma’s first-ever season in Serie A. Parma’s two organised supporter’s clubs, ULTRAS Tito Cucchiaroni and Boys Parma, soon built up a good relationship with the Sampdoria fans – but it was a special banner that sealed the special bond. During Parma’s away trip to Marassi, the fans unveiled the message: “For you Europe, for you glory, for Sampdoria the Scudetto”. As it happened, Samp did win the league that year, with Parma finishing fifth. It was the first in a long line of gestures between the two sets of fans.
Regular 18-19 kits
Special-Editon Parma & Sampdoria Friendship Kits
Sampdoria will play in a special kit featuring Parma’s signature Crociata design, while Parma will don yellow and blue Blucerchiati jerseys.
The initiative, named “Blucrociati – not just colours”, will mix the salient features of two of the most iconic Italian kits of all times, though each team will still play in their usual colors, to preserve the identity of the two clubs.
The Blucerchiati shirt worn by the Parma players will be produced by Errea and finished in yellow and blue. There are plenty of special details, with the classic cross of St George replaced by the coat of arms of the Duchy of Parma and the rear of the shirts featuring a triangle containing the Parma logo, just like the current Parma jerseys. Lettering on the side will read Parma Calcio vs Sampdoria, 5 May 2019.
The Crociata jersey worn by Sampdoria will be produced by Joma and will see the two arms of the cross finished in the four colors normally seen on Doria jerseys. Positioned under the traditional club logo will be the lettering commemorating the match.
The jerseys worn by the players in the game will then be put up for auction. Proceeds from sales of the Parma shirts will be donated in full to the Istituto Gaslini in Genoa, while proceeds from the Sampdoria shirts will go to Parma Children’s Hospital.
Limited editions (400 shirts of Sampdoria's kit) of both shirts are available to buy in both club online stores for 99 Euro.
Do you like the 'Kit Swap' Parma and Sampdoria kits? Share your thoughts in the comments below.