18/08/2008 - FOOTBALL BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

FOOTBALL

BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

Matches played and planned:


The following Lotto testimonials played on Saturday:
Andrea Consigli (ITA, Zhero Leggenda Due), Antonio Nocerino (ITA, Zhero Leggenda Due), Giuseppe Rossi (ITA, Vento Diablo KL); Seep De Roover (BEL, Stadio).

Goals scored: Giuseppe Rossi (ITA, Vento Diablo KL).

www.lottosport.com

18/08/2008 - RESULTS FROM THE WORLD OF LOTTO - FOOTBALL & TENNIS

FOOTBALL

BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

Matches played and planned:


The following Lotto testimonials played today:
Antonio Nocerino (ITA, Zhero Leggenda Due), Giuseppe Rossi (ITA, Vento Diablo KL).



TENNIS

OLYMPIC GAMES
Beijing, China
August 10 - 17, 2008  
Hard, Outdoor

August 13, 2008
Women's Singles 3rd Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)  vs Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-7(4) 4-6

August 12, 2008
Men's Singles 2nd Round
Dominik Hrbaty (SVK) vs James Blake (USA) 6-7(3) 6-4 3-6

Men's Doubles 1st Round
Julian Knowle/Juergen Melzer (AUT) vs Nicolas Kiefer/Rainer Schuettler (GER) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-1

Women's Doubles 1st Round
Francesca Schiavone/Flavia Penetta (ITA) vs Casey Dellacqua/Alicia Molik (AUS)  6-4 6-4
Roberta Vinci/Mara Santangelo (ITA) vs Svetlana Kuznetsova/Dinara Safina (RUS) 1-6 6-3 5-7


LEG MASON TENNIS CLASSIC
Washington DC, USA
August 11 - 17, 2008
Hard

August 12, 2008
Men's  Singles 1st Round
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs Wayne Odesnik (USA)  4-6 6-4 6-4


AKBANK PRIVATE BANKING TED OPEN
Istanbul, Turkey
August 11 - 17, 2008
Hard

August 12, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
Mikhail Kukushkin (RUS) vs Kristian Pless (DEN) 6-4 7-6(4)
Sergiy Stakhovsky (UCR) vs Sergey Bubka (UCR) 6-4 7-5
Gilles Muller (LUX) vs Marsel Ilhan (TUR) 6-1 6-2


GHI BRONX TENNIS CLASSIC
Bronx, NY, USA
August 11 - 17, 2008
Hard, DecoTourf

August 12, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
Xavier Malisse (BEL) vs Luka Gregorc (SLO) 6-4 1-6 6-1
Lukas Rosol (CZE) vs Nicolas Coutelot (FRA) 7-5 7-6(4)
Paul Capdeville (CHI) vs Jean Yves Alibone (USA) 6-0 6-4
Thierry Ascione (FRA) vs Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) 6-7(5) 6-4 3-6


BUKHARA CHALLENGER
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
August 11 - 16, 2008
Hard, Plexipave

August 12, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
Oliver Marach (AUT) vs Boy Westerhof (NED) 6-1 6-4



The athletes written in bold letters are Lotto testimonials.
The athletes underlined are the winners of the match

www.lottosport.com

12/08/2008 - RESULTS FROM THE WORLD OF LOTTO - TENNIS

TENNIS

OLYMPIC GAMES
Beijing, China
August 10 - 17, 2008  
Hard, Outdoor

August 12, 2008
Women's Singles 2nd Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)  vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-3 7-6(6)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)  2-6 2-6

August 12, 2008
Men's Doubles 1st Round
David Ferrer/Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs Kevin Anderson/Jeff Coetzee (RSA) 3-6 6-3 6-4
Simone Bolelli/Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs Roger Federer/Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 5-7 1-6



WESTERN & SOUTHERN FINANCIAL GROUP WOMEN'S OPEN
Cincinnati, OH - USA
August 11 - 17, 2008
Hard, Outdoor

August 11, 2008
Women's Singles 1st Round
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs Camille Pin (FRA)  2-6 0-6
Tamira Paszek (AUT) vs Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 6-4 3-6 1-4 (virall illness)
Olivia Sanchez (FRA) vs Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 2-6 2-6



AKBANK PRIVATE BANKING TED OPEN
Istanbul, Turkey
August 11 - 17, 2008
Hard

August 11, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) vs David Guez (FRA) 6-1 6-4



CIDADE DE VIGO
Vigo, Spain
August 11 - 17, 2008
Red Clay

August 11, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
Kristof Vliegen (BEL) vs Jaime Vazquez Catoira (ESP) 6-1 6-0

The athletes written in bold letters are Lotto testimonials.
The athletes underlined are the winners of the match..

www.lottosport.come match..

10/08/2008 - RESULTS FROM THE WORLD OF LOTTO

FOOTBALL

BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

Matches played and planned:



The following Lotto testimonials played yesterday:
Antonio Nocerino (ITA, Zhero Leggenda Due), Giuseppe Rossi (ITA, Vento Diablo KL), Tommaso Rocchi (ITA, Zhero Evolution).

Goals scored:
Giuseppe Rossi (ITA, Vento Diablo KL), Tommaso Rocchi (ITA, Zhero Evolution).


TENNIS

OLYMPIC GAMES
Beijing, China
August 10 - 17, 2008  
Hard, Outdoor

August 10, 2008
Women's Singles 1st Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)  vs Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB)  6-4 6-2
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs Marta Domachovska (POL)  6-3 6-4


August 11, 2008
Men's Singles 1st Round
David Ferrer (ESP) vs Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)  6-7(8) 2-6
Dominik Hrbaty (SVK) vs Thomaz Bellucci (BRA)  2-6 6-4 6-2
Simone Bolelli (ITA) vs Victor Hanescu (ROM) 5-7 6-3 4-6



COUNTRYWIDE CLASSIC
Los Angeles, USA
August 4 - 10, 2008
Hard, Outdoor

August 09, 2008
Doubles  Semifinal
Rohan Bopanna (IND)/ Eric Butorac (USA) vs Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)/Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-6(4) 4-6 10-5

August 10, 2008
Doubles Final
Rohan Bopanna (IND)/Eric Butorac (USA) vs Travis Parrott (USA)/Dusan Vemic (SRB) 7-6(5) 7-6(5)



OPEN CASTILLA Y LEON
Segovia, Spain
August 4 - 10, 2008
Hard, Outdoor

August 10,2008
Singles Final
Sergiy Stakhovsky (UCR) vs Thiago Alves (BRA) 7-5 7-6(4)



USTA PRO CIRCUIT CHALLENGER SERIES
Binghamton, NY USA, Sweden
July 4 - 10, 2008
Hard, Outdoor

August 09, 2008
Singles  Semifinal
Paul Capdeville (CHI) vs T. Helgeson (USA) 6-3 6-1

August 10, 2008
Singles Final
Paul Capdeville (CHI) vs Rajeev Ram (USA) 4-6 6-3 6-1



SIERRA MADRE CHALLENGER
Monterrey, Mexico
August 4 - 10, 2008
Hard, Outdoor

August 9, 2008
Singles  Semifinal
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK)  vs Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4

August 10,2008
Singles Final
Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) vs Yaroslava Schvedova (RUS) 4-6 1-6


Gli atleti scritti in grassetto sono testimonial Lotto.
The athletes written in bold letters are Lotto testimonials.

Gli atleti sottolineati vincono il match.
The athletes underlined are the winners of the match..

08/08/2008 - LOTTO AT THE BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

Football - First Olympic goal scored with the Twist'ngo technology
The Italian sportswear company kicked off today at the Beijing Olympic Games. During the Olympic Football Tournament, to be held from 6 to 23 August,  6 out of the 22 Italian national team players will be wearing Lotto football shoes featuring the world's first rotating stud Twist'ngo. Below the list of the Lotto testimonials:

Andrea Consigli, 27/01/1987, goalkeeper                Zhero Evolution Due + G-Force Evo gloves
Salvatore Sirigu, 12/01/1987, goalkeeper                Zhero Evolution Due + Drago Hist gloves
Andrea Ranocchia, 16/02/1988, defender              Vento Diablo KL
Antonio Nocerino, 09/04/1985, midfielder                Zhero Leggenda Due
Tommaso Rocchi, 19/09/1977, forward                  Zhero Leggenda Due
Giuseppe Rossi, 01/02/1987, forward                    Vento Diablo KL
       
The match calendar of the Italian national team playing in Group D is as follows:

07/08 11:00 (CET) at Qinhuangdao: Honduras vs Italy
10/08 13:45 (CET) at Qinhuangdao: Italy vs Republic of Korea
13/08 11:00 (CET) at Tianjin: Cameroon vs Italy

Matches played:
07/08 Honduras vs Italy: 0-3
Goals scored: Giuseppe Rossi (ITA), Vento Diablo KL

Tennis

The tennis tournament will be held at the Olympic Green Tennis Center in Beijing from 10 to 17 August and will see Lotto on court in both the singles and doubles matches. The players will be wearing the Lotto Kontact (men), Vanity and Ranking lines (women) recalling the colours of the respective national teams.

Men (singles/doubles):
David Ferrer (ESP), Simone Bolelli (ITA), Dominik Hrbaty (SVK), Julian Knowle (AUT)

Women (singles/doubles):
Francesca Schiavone (ITA), Tzvetana Pironkova (BUL), Roberta Vinci (ITA)

First round - Men's singles (to be played on 10th August):
Thomaz Belluci (BRA) vs Dominik Hrbaty (SVK)
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) vs David Ferrer (ESP)
Simone Bolelli (ITA) vs Victor Hanescu (ROU)

First round - Men's doubles (to be played on 10th August):
Nicolas Kiefer (GER)/Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs Julian Knowle (AUT)/Jurgen Melzer (AUT)
Roger Federer (SUI)/Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA)/Andreas Seppi (ITA)
Nicolas Almagro (ESP)/David Ferrer (ESP) vs Kevin Anderson (RSA)/Jeff Coetzee (RSA)

First round - Women's singles (to be played on 10th August):
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) vs Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Marta Domachowska (POL) vs Tzvetana Pironkova (BUL)

First round - Women's doubles (to be played on 10th August):
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)/Dinara Safina (RUS) vs Mara Santangelo (ITA)/Roberta Vinci (ITA)
Casey Dellacqua (AUS)/Alicia Molik (AUS) vs Flavia Pennetta (ITA)/Francesca Schiavone (ITA)



Gli atleti scritti in grassetto sono testimonial Lotto.
The athletes written in bold letters are Lotto testimonials.

31/07/2008 - SENSATIONAL AGREEMENT FOR LOTTO IN CHINA

The Italian company of Andrea Tomat has signed a twenty-year licensing deal with China's number one sportswear brand company Li Ning for manufacturing and distributing Lotto's products in Mainland China

Trevignano (Italy)/Beijing (China) 31 July 2008 - Lotto Sport Italia announces the signing of a 20-year partnership agreement, from September 2008, with the Chinese Li Ning Company Ltd., for the production and distribution of the Lotto brand products in China.

With headquarters in Beijing and offices and logistics centres throughout China, Li Ning Company was named after its founder and famous gymnast, who won three Gold, two Silver and one Bronze medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Li Ning holds third position overall among sector companies operating in China. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2004 and with overall sales of 400 million euro in 2007 (+36.7% on 2006), Li Ning is aiming to exceed sales of 600 million euro in 2008.

Already dominating the medium-band sports market with its own brand, Li Ning has set itself the goal of leadership also in the upper price range, which is why it has singled out Lotto as its ideal partner for achieving this important repositioning operation.

With the exceptions of Hong Kong and Macau, where Lotto will continue to distribute its own products through its subsidiary Lotto Sport H.K. Ltd., the new agreement involves the retailing of Lotto's products in monobrand stores and counters in the most prestigious department stores of China's largest cities.



Andrea Tomat, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lotto Sport Italia, declared:
“We have obviously set ambitious turnover goals and expect to reach overall sales for more than 60 million euro in 2013 through at least 600 monobrand Lotto stores around the country. China represents a key market for all companies so it is naturally at the centre of Lotto's worldwide expansion activities. We found the Li Ning proposal immediately very interesting due to the company's importance in China, its growth strategy, excellent organisation, and the high quality of its management. Our direct presence in the Asian market through the “Lotto China Ltd.” joint-venture enabled us to impress upon local operators just how big our own brand's growth potential is in China. We therefore received proposals from several leading companies of the industry and at the end have chosen the number one: the partner with the strongest and best-prepared structure. It's a partnership from which we expect extraordinary drive for Lotto’s presence not only in China but right across Asia."


About Li Ning Co. Ltd.
A Chinese company, Li Ning takes its name from its owner and the greatest gymnast to date. Li Ning was established in 1990 and is today the 3rd sports brand in China, with over 1.300 employees. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in 2007 overall sales of 400 million euro were achieved with a growth of 36.7% on the previous year. As of December 2007, the Li Ning brand is distributed through 5.233 stores in China, out of which about 5.000 are franchise operations and the remaining are directly operated. Sales by product category are divided into: 51% clothing, 42.7% footwear and 6.3% accessories. Li Ning is a sponsor, among others, of the national basketball teams of Spain and Argentina, of Shaquille O'Neal and China's national gymnastics and diving squads.


About Lotto Sport Italia
With headquarters in the Italian shoe district of Montebelluna, Veneto region, Lotto Sport Italia is the leading Italian company in the production and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories. The company's products are distributed in over 80 countries worldwide through independent sports-article stores, specialised chain-stores, large stores with specialized sports departments, and in over 300 monobrand stores. Lotto ended 2007 with overall sales at 300 million euro with a growth of +8% on the previous year, divided into: 44% footwear, 50% clothing and 6% accessories.

www.lottosport.com

25/03/2008 - LOTTO AND QUEENS PARK RANGERS UNTIL 2013

Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce next season’s Official Kit Supplier will be Lotto Sport Italia.

The deal could be worth as much as £20 million over five seasons, depending on the success of QPR as the Club embarks on its mission to achieve Premiership football. This represents the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the Club’s history.

Lotto Sport Italia will be providing new home and away kits and training wear for the First Team through to the Centre of Excellence, as well as developing additional lines of stylish and fashionable QPR branded clothing and shoes.

The contract also includes a substantial annual investment for the duration of the contract into QPR’s “Football In The Community” Scheme, which will assist the department’s continued efforts to improve the standard of life for people within the local area.

Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia, said: “We cannot wait to start this new alliance with a team that we feel very close to Lotto. This is an important partnership which will enhance the brand awareness of Lotto not only in the UK but also at international level, thanks to the worldwide media coverage of English football and in particular of Queens Park Rangers and the club’s new owners.”

“This partnership with QPR will also see both parties develop mutually-beneficial commercial ideas along with new product lines – also for leisure wear – inspired by the team with an unmistakeable Italian touch.”

Flavio Briatore, Chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, added: “This is the first significant new partnership for the Club since I became involved, and I am very excited about it. Lotto Sport Italia are the perfect fit as our new Kit Supplier. As a brand, I am certain that their involvement will benefit us on and off the pitch.

“I would personally like to thank Mr Tomat and all at Lotto Sport Italia for their efforts, and I look forward to working with them over the next five years as we aim to achieve our objective of returning QPR to the Premiership.
“I am delighted with the design of the new team strip, which maintains the QPR tradition of blue and white hoops. I know how important it is to the fans that the hoops remain, and that was always going to be the case.”

Amit Bhatia, Vice-Chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, said: ““We are delighted to be announcing this new partnership.  I am confident it will be an important component of our strategy to transform the performance and prospects of the Club.

“We will wear our newly sponsored
and newly designed 'Hoops' proudly as we continue to progress towards our goal of promotion. This is a new era for QPR and we are proud to have Lotto as such an important and strategic partner.”
The new kit design for next season will be revealed at a later date.

22/02/2008 - LOTTO AT THE MICAM SHOE FAIR IN MILAN

Lotto Sport Italia presents at Micam the new Fall/Winter 2008/09 Lotto Leggenda collection as well as the 35th Anniversary Flash for Spring/Summer 2008. From 26 to 29 February, Lotto will be receiving visitors in the Pavilion 6, booth F09/F11. Street style hints combined with couture details characterise the new collection, which reinvents the concept of sneakers as a fashion item. New workmanship of materials and colour and decorative schemes that are skilfully combined lend an undisputed value to the shoes. Clothing and accessories complete the Lotto Leggenda collection, which are designed in a limited selection of models characterised by a style that passes from sport-chic to casual to be always ready for every occasion.

Opening of the fair:
26-27-28 February from 9.30 am to 7 pm
29 February from 9.30 am to 5 pm

29/01/2008 - LUCA TONI AND LOTTO SPORT ITALIA, AMBASSADOR OF ITALIAN STYLE

The Association of Italian Sports Manufacturers, Assosport, through its president, Giancarlo Zanatta, appointed Bayern Munich striker and football world champion Luca Toni to act as the first ambassador of his country for Italian style and fashion taste. At the same time, also Luca Toni’s technical sponsor, Lotto Sport Italia, has been distinguished as it has brought a special Italian touch into the international sporting goods market.
This dual award to Lotto and its leading sponsored player confirms the success of the company’s corporate strategy that has aimed at achieving leadership in its core business to then focus on expanding its market share in the leisure area through an ad hoc line and brand that are both inspired by the company’s sporting soul, and fashion oriented too.

20/12/2007 - LOTTO AT THE 73° EDITION OF PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO IN FLORENCE

At the 73th edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo, Lotto Sport Italia will present the new Fall/Winter 2008/09 Lotto Leggenda collection as well as the 35th Anniversary Flash for Spring/Summer 2008. From 9 to 12 January 2008 the new collections are on show at Lotto’s new stand at the Cavaniglia pavilion, line A/27. The booth has been completely overhauled, with clean and simple graphics and a refined design – a solution that succeeds in exalting the special features of the models on display. A net wall showing a fleur-de-lis, symbol of the collection, and Lotto’s lozenge logo proposed with stylish colour effects, form the backdrop to the stand’s panels. The base is white wood, with reflective interiors, transparent plexiglas supports and shelf units completing the stand’s features.

Opening of the fair:
9-10-11 January from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
12 January from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

20/11/2007 - LOTTO CLOTHES THE SECOND EDITION OF THE CLERICUS CUP

Priests and seminarists on the football pitch from November to May with Lotto kits and balls

Rome (Italy), 20 November 2007.- The second edition of the Clericus Cup kicks off, the football competition for the devoted and seminarists. Lotto Sport Italia, Italian leader in the manufacturing and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories, confirms its role as technical sponsor of the 16 teams participating in the event.

Lotto will supply the balls and match kits, including shirts, shorts and socks, thereby clothing over 300 players in the competition. Lotto has also customised the winning team’s shirts from the first edition, the Redemptoris Mater, with the application of a commemorative shield of the victory.

Following the success of the first edition, which took place from February to May 2007 and saw the competition of 350 priests and seminarists from 51 countries from 5 continents, Lotto Sport Italia decided to also sponsor the second edition with renewed enthusiasm. The first Clericus Cup was rich in emotions and technical advancements, all of which were topped off with fair play and sportsmanship, the finest values in football. The first religious football cup was a real competition where there was no lack of healthy rivalry, but which was however confined to pure entertainment and respect for the opponents and the desire to socialise as part of the fun. All of which are values that are a part of history and the tradition of Lotto.

“Our participation in this project,” declares Alberto Landi, Marketing Director of Lotto Sport Italia “has its roots in the company’s culture. Lotto has always interpreted sport as commitment, loyalty and, above all, the tool that is able to cross social, political and geographical boundaries. A due thank you therefore,” continues Landi “to the organisers, to CSI (Centro Sportivo Italiano) and in particular His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone for having offered us this opportunity”.

The second edition of the Clericus Cup kicks off on Tuesday, 20 November at the Marmi stadium in Rome and the final winner will be decided in May 2008. 7 days with 2 rounds made up of 8 teams have been arranged for the elimination stage, which will contend for victory through to penalties. These matches will be played on the pitches of St. Peter’s Oratory. The quarter finals and semi finals will take place on 5 and 19 April respectively in the form of a single match. The final that will decide the winning team will take place on 3 May. The 3rd and 4th place final will occur on the same day. Participation at the regional and/or interregional finals of the Italian CSI Open category championship is up for grabs.

12/11/2007 - LOTTO BRINGS STYLE AND ITALIAN REFINEMENT TO CHINA

At the Shanghai Masters, David Ferrer, the world’s number six tennis player, is wearing a futuristic shirt of the Kontact line of the Spring-Summer 2008 collection as a world preview.

Trevignano (Italy), 12 November 2007 - At the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, Lotto Sport Italia, Italian leader in the manufacturing and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories, presents, as a world preview, a revolutionary shirt of the Kontact collection for the Spring-Summer 2008.

The Shanghai Masters is the world's most important tennis event that ends the ATP tour season, where only the 8 best tennis players in the world can participate in the singles, as well as the 8 best doubles teams. The result is an event with great media impact that grabs the attention of tennis lovers all around the world. At the Shanghai tournament, Lotto is present with two players: the world's number 6 in the singles, David Ferrer, and the number 4 in doubles, Julian Knowle.

The Italian company supplied futuristic shirts to the Spanish champion, David Ferrer, and the Austrian, Julian Knowle, manufactured in Nano Dry Tech, a hyper-technological textile obtained through a particular NanoSphere finish that ensures maximum breathability and a resistance during washing that is ten times superior than normal finishes. The NanoSphere finish guarantees a substantial increase to Lotto Nano Dry Tech in its capacity to absorb perspiration compared to the average polyester while ensuring extremely quick drying for a constant and ever greater feeling of freshness and increased comfort during matches.

Kontact Line also stands out with its young and catchy look thanks to its vibrant varied colours, with the metallic finishes of the logos on all the models and unique details that characterise each item of clothing. It is a refined look, but much more than that due to the refinement of technical solutions improved upon by the Lotto Product Development Centre to ensure excellent performances to players. Kontact Line is the main line for the Lotto men's collection for Spring-Summer 2008, a line that will revolutionise the tennis collection with innovative graphics solutions which have been researched to highlight the highly technical fabrics at the forefront, as well as the unique high-quality details that enrich individual garments.

The backdrop of the Shanghai Masters is the best possible stage on which to present a preview of the new tennis collection, a symbol of the brand's performance core where Lotto's technological research is expressed at the highest level. Just for this important occasion, the new shirt is embellished with a fleur-de-lis on one sleeve; the emblem of Florence is the symbol that distinguishes the fashion collection Lotto Leggenda. In this way, the company wanted to celebrate the launch in different international markets.

12/09/2007 - LOTTO OPENS ITS 35TH LOTTO STORE IN ITALY IN TREVISO WITH THE PRESENCE OF THE TREVISO FOOTBALL TEAM

Treviso (Italy), 13 September 2007 - Today, Lotto Sport Italia, Italian leader in the manufacturing and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories, opens the new Lotto Store in Treviso with the presence of the Treviso Football Club team, which battles in the national Serie B league.

The participation of the players of Treviso FBC, accompanied by the coach, Giuseppe Pillon, at the opening of the 35th Lotto Store confirms the solid attachment of the sports company to the region and to the most representative team on the football scene in the Veneto region.

Set out on a single floor, the 370-square metre sales point appears as an ample, modern space. A new furnishing concept was used, which exalts the aesthetic characteristics of the products on display.
To ensure the important visibility is given to the Lotto brand in the city, there are 4 large brightly lit window spaces in a mall-office complex on one of Treviso's busiest traffic arteries.

The furnishing is characterised by Lotto's corporate colours: white, red and black. The light grey walls give strong emphasis to the metal furnishings and white-painted wood, and exalts the black-painted iron elements and the accessories in satin-finish steel. The cash desk is detached by standing out in red and black.
The backlit display wall has a high visual impact and displays the footwear coupled with the store's graphics: vivid black and white images narrate the tradition and innovation that Lotto symbolises through the product.

Inside the sales point, Lotto's latest collections are already on offer for Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 for men, women and children. The active offer that ranges from football to tennis, five-a-side football and running integrates with a wide leisure range.
The Lotto Underwear collections are also on sale and, given the strong connection with the city's football team, it will also be possible to buy Treviso Football merchandise as soon as it becomes available.

In Italy, the Treviso Lotto Store is the 35th to be opened following Verona and Serravalle as part of an intense retail plan that will continue until the end of the year.
As to abroad, the opening policy concentrates on Eastern Europe and Asia during this phase. The latest inaugurations, in chronological order, have been in Ukraine, Romania and Russia, in which last country a Lotto Store has opened its doors in one of the most important shopping centres in Moscow.
In the Far East, the openings continue, however, in Korea and China, as well as in Hong Kong, especially along the main shopping streets.

03/09/2007 - LOTTO SPORT ITALIA AND COMPAGNIA DELL’OROLOGIO SIGN A LICENCE AGREEMENT FOR A NEW LINE OF LOTTO TIME WATCHES

Trevignano (Italy), 3 September 2007 - Lotto Sport Italia, Italian leader in the manufacturing and distribution of sport footwear, clothing and accessories, and Compagnia dell’Orologio Spa in Noventa di Piave jointly announce that they have signed a licence agreement for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Lotto branded watches. The agreement, which is scheduled to last for five years and includes international distribution, confirms the entry of the company, led by Andrea Tomat, into the Watches & Accessories segment.

Thanks to the considerable experience of Compagnia dell’Orologio, Lotto Sport Italia aims to launch its own brand with the Lotto Time line with the standards of dynamism, innovation, quality, Made in Italy design and a passion for sport, which have always been the strengths of the Lotto brand, with the objective of reaching 10 million euro in the first 5 years.

Established 12 years ago by Augusto Bincoletto, Compagnia dell’Orologio is a dynamic company in the Veneto province that concentrates on research and quality, and which produces about 700,000 watches each year, according to the plan of the integrated factory, from design to distribution.

There are two lines for the Lotto Time project: Active Line and Leisure Line.
Some characteristics regarding the models: analogue quartz watches with approved Japanese movements (Miyota - Citizen), steel cases, water-resistant, mineral glass, two-tiered dials, solid steel plates, wrist bands in solid steel, watch straps in leather/canvas/PU. 2-year guarantee.

The distribution of the collections by Compagnia dell’Orologio will be divided across different channels, concentrating on the specialist watch and jewellery channel in which the company is a market leader, as well as the sporting and fashion channel, making the most of the synergy with Lotto Sport Italia.
Lotto Sport Italia therefore confirms its position as one of the most prestigious sports brands on an international level and expresses the essence of its brand and the desire to always be more contemporary in its forms and research of materials with this new collection of watches.

 

“I am satisfied and enthusiastic about this new project,” affirms Alberto Landi, Marketing and Communication Director of Lotto Sport Italia, “which allows us to widen the extensive range of Lotto branded products by entering the watch sector. With Lotto Time, we will be able to accompany those who choose us not only when playing sports or during their leisure time, but all day long... on their wrist”.

“It fills me with pride and joy,” claims Augusto Bincoletto, MD of Compagnia dell’Orologio, “to have perfected this important collaboration with Lotto. Furthermore, the agreement was reached with the help of the collaboration of the company specialised in international licensing, Keep Right in Montebelluna. I am certain that my staff and I are able to create a collection that makes the best possible use of time for sports lovers”.

07/18/2007 - JULIO CRUZ TO SCORE THE FIRST SEASONAL GOAL OF INTER.

The testimonial Lotto with its Zhero Gravity football boots scored the first goal during yesterday's test game of the Nerazurri against the Chinese National Olympic team (final result 3-0). Attached an action picture of the Argentinean player published on the front cover of today's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

www.lottosport.com

 

04/26/2007 - CRUZ FLIES ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION OF ZHERO GRAVITY BY LOTTO

Boots under the auctioneer's hammer for the foundation
Obra del Padre Mario Pantaleo

Trevignano (Italy), 26 April 2007 – To the delight of the fifteenth Italian premier league championship, Cruz doesn’t walk, he flies! Perhaps it’s precisely to underline his feeling in seventh heaven – as though walking on air – that Cruz is wearing the Zhero Gravity boot by Lotto Sport Italia, for which he is testimonial.

Italian leader in the manufacture and distribution of footwear, clothing and accessories for sport, Lotto celebrates its champion by dedicating to him a Zhero Gravity boot that has been designed precisely to mark Inter's fifteenth Italian premier league championship victory.

The Zhero Gravity laceless boot takes the theme of the Italian flag, highlighting its sleek form with a red flame on the sides, the company's green double diamond logo. The heel is green too, and boasts the Italian championship shield, sealed with a blue-and-black “15”.

The number of these special Zhero Gravity prototype boots made with the shield are extremely limited: only three pairs, which will be donated to Cruz. The champion has decided to auction them on 24 May on the occasion of a charity evening organised to raise funds for the foundation the Argentine champion supports: Obra del Padre Mario Pantaleo.

Obra del Padre Mario Pantaleo, founded by the Italian priest of the same name who has spent his life among Argentina’s poor, was established in the early '70s to help the people and families in the outlying district of Buenos Aires of Gonzàlez Catàn, which has long been considered one of the most run-down areas of the Inter champion’s home nation.

11/04/2007 - LOTTO LANDS IN BRAZIL - FILON IS THE NEW LICENSEE

Trevignano (Italy), 11 April 2007. – Lotto Sport Italia, the leading Italian company in sports footwear, clothing and accessories production and distribution, announces a licensing agreement with the Brazilian company Filon Confecções Ltda.

The agreement, which was made official at a press conference held in Brazil on 10th April, provides for a licence which will allow Filon Confecções to manufacture and market Lotto branded products throughout Brazil until 31st December 2009, with a renewal option for a further 3 years.

Filon and Lotto have studied a product strategy which puts forward performance and sportswear collection articles characterized by typically Italian technology, design and taste. As well as including the Lotto international collection, the lines offered may include supplements of articles specially designed to meet Brazilian market needs. Distribution will be widespread both through the sport trade channel and more particularly with major penetration of specialized soccer stores with medium- to high-end target customers, and through Filon’s own stores. Geographical development is to be focused in the centre and south of the country in the initial phase, and will later be extended to the rest of the vast territory of Brazil.

The sales target is to achieve total sales of $US 20 million in three years (retail) and at the same time become the top Italian brand and the number three brand overall in the Brazilian soccer market.

Filon, which has a large headquarters in San Paolo, was established in 1986. From the very beginning it specialized in sports clothing for soccer, to the extent of transforming this into its core business. Brazil is the world’s fifth largest nation in population terms, with over 185 million inhabitants, and the largest market in South America. Considered the home of soccer, the country has one of world’s largest segments of professional and amateur players.

“Landing in Brazil is an important breakthrough for Lotto,” commented Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia. “The combination of our product expertise and our new partner’s coverage of the country’s territory plus its consolidated experience in soccer, will allow us to achieve significant results in a country which is the symbol of soccer. Great passion for this sport is part of Lotto’s DNA as well as of Brazil’s people – many of its greatest stars are linked to our brand today, with Cafu, Dida, Doni and Amauri standing out. I am sure that we will soon see the Lotto double diamond logo in prominence in the Brazilian league championship too.”

10/04/2007 - LOTTO È LO SPONSOR UFFICIALE DEL V OPEN DI TENNIS DELLA COMUNITÀ VALENCIANA.

Ancora un altro successo per gli eventi marchiati Lotto.

l V Open di Tennis di Valencia, che si terrà dal 7 al 15 aprile, avrà come sponsor ufficiale la marca italiana di calzature, abbigliamento e accessori sportivi Lotto.

Trevignano (TV), 10 Aprile 2007.- Lotto, leader italiano nella produzione e distribuzione di calzature, abbigliamento e accessori sportivi, per riaffermare il suo impegno nel tennis professionistico internazionale, sarà sponsor Tecnico Ufficiale del Torneo ATP di Valencia. Nei prossimi tre anni, Lotto fornirà le scarpe ai giudici di linea, oltre che calzature, abbigliamento e accessori ai raccattapalle.

Nella “Città delle Arti e delle Scienze” la visibilità della marca Lotto si rafforzerà ancora di più grazie alla presenza di un importante stand commerciale all’interno degli impianti del torneo, dove saranno esposte non solo la collezione performance per il tennis ma anche una vasta gamma di capi, calzature e accessori sportswear destinati al tempo libero.

Per consolidare la relazione con i suoi consumatori e per confermare la sua grande attenzione verso gli appassionati di tennis, durante il torneo di Valencia Lotto realizzerà alcuni eventi speciali. I giocatori Lotto daranno appuntamento al pubblico in vari happenings: una preziosa opportunità in cui ogni appassionato potrà avvicinarsi al suo campione.

Il V Open di Tennis valenciano, giunto alla sua quinta edizione, sta conquistando sempre più notorietà e quest’anno potrà contare sulla presenza di alcune delle stelle più brillanti del panorama tennistico internazionale. Tra loro gli atleti Lotto: Juan Carlos Ferrero, che vinse la prima edizione del torneo nel 2003, David Ferrer, Guillermo García López e Teimuraz Gabashvili.

02/04/2007 - JULIO CRUZ AND LOTTO TOGETHER TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE FOOTWEAR

Ancora un altro successo per gli eventi marchiati Lotto.

Trevignano (Italy), 2 April 2007. – Julio Ricardo Cruz at Trevignano: Inter forward and Argentina national player today visited Lotto Sport Italia, his technical sponsor since 2003.

At the Trevignano headquarters, the Argentine star met Lotto President, Andrea Tomat, and greeted all the employees. But his visit was above all a precious chance to meet the team of the double-lozenge company's Research and Development Centre.

Julio Cruz is associated with Lotto by a relationship that goes beyond his sponsorship, contributing with the Development Centre's engineers on two important and innovative projects.
The first is the special project Lotto is creating for the 2008 European Football Championship. The second is the testing of different technologies aimed at taking sports-footwear stability to truly excellent levels. This latter initiative involves a path of technology research and laboratory experiments, which take great advantage from the invaluable contribution of such a skilled player as is Cruz.

After achieving many successes with the most important teams of the Argentine championship and at international level with his country's national team, from 1997 to 2000 Julio Cruz played for Feyenoord, where he averaged over one goal every two matches and won several cups and championships. In 2001, the Argentine bomber made his debut in Italy's "Serie A" and, since 2003, he has been wearing the black-and-blue Inter strip.

With a powerful, athletic physique, he is both formidable in the air and gifted with excellent technique. The latest occasion of his thrilling of thousands of Inter fans was on 11 March in the derby with Milan, when, being on the field for just one minute - and wearing his blue-and-white Zhero Gravity boots - Julio scored the crucial equalising goal that paved the decisive way for the victory of the team trained by Mancini.
With 9 goals to his credit already this season, Julio has hit the back of the net 50 times wearing the Inter jersey, in matches ranging from the Champions League, Italian Championship and Italian Cup, and can be truly proud of having the best average of minutes played and goals scored.

21/03/2007 - TENNIS: LOTTO AT THE SONY ERICSSON OPEN IN MIAMI

The Sony Ericsson Open - one of the most prestigious tournament in professional tennis, also known as the 5th Grand Slam - is starting in just a few hours. The world's top athletes will play against each other on Crandon Park's hard-court and Lotto will be represented by well-known athletes as well as young promises.
For the men's competition: the seeded David Ferrer, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Dominik Hrbaty, followed by Alberto Martin, Kristof Vliegen, Simone Bolelli, Teimuraz Gabashvili, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Nicolas Mahut and Gaston Gaudio.
In the women's competition: Francesca Schiavone, Tathiana Garbin and Martina Muller, all seeded, together with Roberta Vinci, Maria Elena Camerin, Jelena Kostanic Tosic, Anastasiya Yakimova and Tamira Paszek.

Schedule of play for Wednesday, March 21:
10 a.m. Local Time EDT:
  Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) vs Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR)
  Guillermo Garcia Lopez (ESP) vs Ivo Karlovic (CRO)

11 a.m. Local Time EDT:
  Roberta Vinci (ITA) vs Jill Craybas (USA)
  Tamira Paszek (AUT) vs Alicia Molik (AUS)
  Simone Bolelli (ITA) vs Gael Monfils (FRA)
  Alberto Martin (ESP) vs Thomas Johansson (SWE)
  Kristof Vliegen (BEL) vs Pau-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

The Lotto derby between Yakimova and Camerin will certainly be an appealing match on the 25th birthday of the Italian player. Not to be missed is Simone Bolelli's match: the 21 year-old Italian, ranked 113, is entering for the first time in his career a Masters Series' main draw.

16/03/2007 - ETONIC WORLDWIDE NAMES TOM ELWELL CEO. THIRTY-YEAR INDUSTRY VETERAN WILL LEAD ETONIC INTO NEXT GROWTH PHASE

Waltham (MA, USA) 16 March 2007.-- Etonic Worldwide has chosen industry veteran Tom Elwell to be the company's next CEO.

Elwell comes to Etonic with over 30 years of experience in the footwear and golf industries.  Mizuno USA's vice president and general manager of the Athletic Division, Elwell is widely credited with having built Mizuno's technical running business in North and South America to the third highest market share in its category. He oversees Mizuno's technical running business as well as Mizuno's South American business.  Prior to his time at Mizuno, Elwell held senior positions at Brooks and Adidas and spent 16 years at Etonic. Elwell started his career as a PGA golf professional.

Lotto Capital Investment, a unit of Italy-based Lotto Sport Italia S.p.A., purchased Etonic in late 2006 from a group of private investors.

"Tom Elwell was our first choice to be the next CEO of Etonic," said Andrea Tomat, CEO of Lotto and Chairman of Etonic.  "He is a proven brand builder with expertise in sales, product development, and marketing, which are our top priorities at Etonic. We believe he will make a valuable contribution to building the brand globally."

"I feel as though I am coming home to the brand, given my prior history at Etonic," said Elwell.  "I am confident and enthusiastic about building the Etonic brand during its next phase of growth."

Etonic's current CEO, Tom Seeman, was part of the ownership group which purchased Etonic from Spalding in 2003, turned the business around, and sold it to Lotto in late 2006. He will join Etonic's Board of Directors.

Founded in 1876 by Charles Eaton and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Etonic builds footwear based on technical innovation, superior quality and ultimate comfort. Etonic offers men's and women's footwear and accessories for golf, bowling, running and walking.
For information on Etonic log onto www.etonic.com.

14/03/2007 - LOTTO IS BACK AT MICAM

After a 3-year absence, Lotto Sport Italia returns to the Micam shoe fair in Milan to present its Lotto Leggenda Fall/Winter 2007/2008 collection. From 15 to 18 March, Lotto will receive its visitors in Pavilion 6, stand F09 F11, which is designed with an original graphics with white and gold shades. Lotto Leggenda's shoes will be displayed on grid walls on three sides of the stand to give maximum luminosity to the booth, giving visitors the space to drop in on the world of Lotto Leggenda, surrounding themselves with all the latest models for the upcoming season.

Opening of the fair:
15-16-17 March from 9.00 am to 7.30 pm
18 March from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

14/03/2007 - LOTTO LEGGENDA, EVERYWHERE IN MILAN

On the occasion of Micam, Lotto Sport Italia has planned an important advertising campaign on 15 March in City, one of Milan's most important free press. The Stadio 90 Lady shoes with the Polo Leggenda will be the protagonists on the inside front cover and the Newk Giglio Metal sneaker with the testimonial Luca Toni on the back cover. This initiative is part of a communication strategy which aims to increase the visibility of the Lotto Leggenda products with its consumer and trade.

08/03/2007 - LOTTO OPENS BY THE AMPHITHEATRE IN VERONA

Verona (Italy), 8 March 2007.- Lotto Sport Italia, the Italian leader in the production and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories, inaugurates the new Lotto Store in the heart of the Veronese city which is home to the champions of Chievo.

The full A.C. ChievoVerona team and its managers are expected at tonight's inauguration from 7 pm onwards.

The new store extends over 200 sq. m. on one single floor, where the sports universe of the Lotto collections is to be found, ranging from pure performance (football, five-a-side football, tennis and running) to leisure wear, for men, women and kids. The new Lotto Underwear collections will also be available in the store's assortment.
Another characteristic of the Lotto Store in Verona: the area with products created exclusively for Chievo.

Six large glass windows create strong emotional impact in the store, characterized by mainly natural lighting and a fitting-out that takes up the colours that are characteristic of the brand - red, white and black - played against the base of a laminated grey floor, pale grey walls, furniture made of metal and white lacquered wood, vertical components in black painted iron and satin-finish steel accessories. The area is dominated by a back-lit wall that displays the footwear, the cash-desk block and posters of the brand's new communication design, with black and white pictures of strong visual impact, which explain the brand's prestigious tradition and constant research for innovation.

The important Veronese location brings the number of Lotto stores presently trading in Italy to 33, direct or managed through franchisees.
This new opening consolidates the brand's presence in Italy and forms part of the broader international retail plan whose objective is to strengthen Lotto's image in those export markets in which the brand is already present and recognized on the one hand, and to gain high visibility particularly in several emerging markets on the other. In fact, in Asia the openings continue in China, India and Korea, while in Russia, Romania and the Ukraine Lotto already has more than 10 single-brand stores per country.

08/03/2007 - ARGENTINA - A SECOND HOMETOWN FOR LOTTO IN SOUTH AMERICA

The visibility and brand awareness of Lotto is rising in Argentina. Thanks to the Lotto licensee Indepro, the double diamond logo is already associated to big names of the Argentinean football with sponsorship agreements signed with three first division teams: Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagre, Argentinos Juniors, respectively ranked second and third in the championship, and Quilmes Atletico Club.
Furthermore, Lotto's brand image is strengthened thanks to successful testimonials playing in Argentina's Primera Division,such as
- Malinga Giménez, current top goalscorer and forward of San Lorenzo and of the Bolivian national team,
- Sergio Orteman, midfielder of Boca Juniors and of Paraguay's national team
- Ezequiel Lavezzi, defender of San Lorenzo and of Argentina's national team
- Adrian Gonzalez, midfielder of Nueva Chicago
- Ruben Sambueza, forward of River Plate.

06/03/2007 - ITALY - WAITING FOR THE BUS WITH LOTTO

On the occasion of the opening of the new Lotto Store in Verona on 8 March, 150 bus stops of the city will be dressed with a clearly recognizable billboard campaign. In fact, from 5 to 19 March, Verona will be the stage of the new creative idea that the company is launching for communicating to the consumer the opening of the store dedicated to the Lotto collections.

21/02/2007 - INDONESIA - LOTTO IS PERSIK- KEDIRI'S NEW SPONSOR.

PT Mitra Adiperkasa, the Lotto licensee for Indonesia has signed a sponsorship agreement with Persik-Kediri, one of the best football teams based in East Java with two national players in the team. Persik were national league champions in 2006 and won the Indonesian league competition twice in the past. The club has an important number of die-hard soccer supporters in its hometown of Kediri and is sponsored and run by the Mayor of Kediri. Lotto expects an excellent brand visibility from this agreement and to mark a footprint in the Indonesian soccer world. 

20/02/2007 - LOTTO DRESSES THE CLERICUS CUP. PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS ON THE PITCH!

Trevignano (Italy), 20 February 2007 - Lotto Sport Italia, the leading Italian company in the manufacture and distribution of sporting footwear, clothing and accessories, has signed a new sponsorship agreement for 18 football teams taking part in the Clericus Cup - the first championship for priests and trainee priests/seminarians.

Lotto will provide the balls and the strips which about 300 players will wear during the matches. For the Vatican team, Lotto has personalised the 'Magma' Jersey, a top-in-the-range item in their football collection, in the colours of the Papal flag. It will be a unique blend of the Lotto double-diamand logo, the crossed keys surmounted by the Pope's tiara, and the Vatican City seal.

The first 11-a-side football championship will be among students of colleges, universities and the Papal Seminaries of Rome and the surrounding province, and is being promoted by CSI ("Centro Sportivo Italiano"). Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone put forward the idea of the Clericus Cup in Genoa at the presentation of the club season. A keen sport enthusiast and football fan himself, the Cardinal underlined that this is not a round of church recreation matches but a world cup in its own right, involving players from 37 countries.

The football regulations will apply some exceptions, like the one-minute time-out rule per team per match, and the blue card, which sends off players for 5 minutes for serious fouls or conduct. Given the teams' composition, such a measure should be superfluous but making predictions when it comes to football is always hazardous. Each half will last 30 minutes, allowing for "flying" substitutions and the possibility of unlimited player changes.

The elimination rounds of the Clericus Cup last seven match days with two tables of nine teams contending for places in the semi finals, with goals galore and penalties if necessary. The first match will kick off in Rome on 24 February. The semi finals will be divided into away and home legs, on 5 and 19 May respectively. The final days will be 7 June, with the match deciding third and fourth place, and then the 9th, for the Grand Final. The winners will go on to compete in the regional and/or inter-regional finals of the Italian CSI "Open" championship.

'We are thrilled, says Alberto Landi, Marketing Director of Lotto Sport Italia 'to support such an initiative aimed at enhancing the awareness of Fair Play in sport, especially in a February marked by events that have undermined football's philosophy. Lotto sees sport and its disciplines as being about commitment, honesty and integrity. And the Clericus Cup certainly sums up all such valuable principles.'

19/02/2007 - CENTRAL AMERICA - COSTA RICA CLAIMS COPA DE NACIONES DIGICEL DE UNCAF.

On 18th February Costa Rica and Panama's national teams, both sponsored by Lotto, played the final match of the UNCAF's Cup, the international tournament which every two years crowns Central American football champions. The Costa Rican players won 4-1 on penalty kicks. "Los Ticos" had already won 5 of the 8 former editions and reached the second-place twice. Both Lotto teams qualified to the "2007 Gold Cup" games: the showpiece event in Central and North American football which will take place in June in the USA.

16/02/2007 - KOREA - LOTTO IS THE NEW SPONSOR OF TWO SOUTH-KOREAN FOOTBALL TEAMS.

Stylus Company, the Korean licensee for Lotto, has signed a sponsorship agreement with two teams of the K-League: Dae-Jeon Citizen and  Dae-Gu FC. Lotto will supply to the teams apparel and accessories for matches, training sessions and leisure time, from 1st January 2007 through the end of December 2008.
Lotto had already successfully sponsored Dae-Jeon Citizen in the past and is now expecting a great brand visibility. The team, whose nickname is "purple crew", won the 2001 Korean FA Cup and classified 10th in the last South-Korean championship.
Dae-Gu is the third biggest city in Korea and its football club was founded only in 2003. The team reached in 2005 the 3rd position in the national championship and won the Tong-Yoong Cup last year.

12/02/2007 - LOTTO ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH FRENCH FOOTBALL CLUB NICE

Trevignano (Italy), 12th February 2007. The sponsorship agreement between Lotto Sport Italia and OGC Nice has been officially announced Saturday at a press conference held at the club's headquarters. The contract will be valid from 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2012.

By virtue of this agreement Lotto will become the Nice team's technical sponsor and official supplier. The Italian brand will therefore supply all OGC Nice teams - from the first team to the youth teams - with clothing and accessories for matches, training sessions and leisure wear.

Lotto has already been a partner of the club in the past, and is pleased to be collaborating with this extremely high potential French club once again. OGC Nice, also known as 'Les Aiglons' (the Eaglets), was established in 1904 and is a legendary club, which boasts a long history.

The city of Nice has always lived according to its club's pace, but now more than ever before there is a consummate union between the large supporters community and the team.

As of next week, the Lotto Research and Development Centre will be working in collaboration with OGC Nice to produce the Côte d'Azur team's latest collections. Technical design and the quality of the materials will naturally be emphasised in order to optimize the players' performance and comfort.

For Jacques Deschang, Commercial and Marketing Director of Lotto France, this agreement is proof of Lotto's ever-increasing interest in soccer at both national and international levels. "We are really pleased to link our brand with this French club which has always championed tradition, quality and passion for soccer. For us, the coming seasons will be opportunities to experience exciting new adventures in the French Ligue 1 together with Nice," explained Deschang.

29/01/2007 - ITALY - VUCINIC SCORES WITH HIS ZHERO GRAVITY

The Lotto forward Mirko Vucinic scored a great goal for yesterday's AS Roma victory over Siena. The Montenegro player scored his first goal for the Roma club with his Zhero Gravity football shoes.

28/01/2007 - JAPAN - LOTTO IS THE NEW SPONSOR OF THE FIRST DIVISION FOOTBALL TEAM OMIYA ARDIJA

In virtue of the agreement, Lotto, through its licensee Kanematsu Textile Corporation, will supply to the J-league team apparel and accessories for matches, training sessions and leisure time from 1st February 2007 through the end of January 2009. Omiya Ardija was promoted to the Japanese first division at the end of the 2004 season and finished the 2006 season ranked no 12. The hometown of the team, Omiya, is a ward of Saitama, located right next to Tokyo.

25/01/2007 - ITALY - LOTTO LEGGENDA IN TREVISO

Thanks to the collaboration with the International Design Centre, Lotto will be present in one of the most important squares of Treviso's city centre with a highly visible product display featuring the Newk Civis shoe model and the Polo Giglio of the FW06 Lotto Leggenda collection. This important project will allow Lotto an important visibility from 25 January to 8 February.

23/01/2007 - PANAMA - NATIONAL UNDER-20 TEAM QUALIFIED FOR THE WORLD CUP

The Under 20 team of Panama, sponsored by Lotto, just qualified for the Final Tournament to be played in Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, etc.) from 30 June to 22 July 2007.

The qualifying matches saw the Lotto team playing against Guatemala, Haiti and the USA. Panama booked their third consecutive qualification at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finishing second-place in their group match.

23/01/2007 - LOTTO MOVES INTO BICYCLE RACING

Trevignano (Italy), 23 January 2007 - Proving its genuine sports company nature once again, Lotto Sport Italia has signed another technical sponsorship agreement, joining the Liquigas Team family. This time the sponsorship is for bicycle racing, a sport whose emblems are passion and sacrifices made in its name. With this agreement, Lotto has committed to supply the Liquigas Team with technical after-race materials, clothing, footwear and accessories for the whole of 2007. Liquigas is Italy's leading company in LPG distribution and has been the sole sponsor of the Liquigas Pro Tour team since 2005. The team includes Filippo Pozzato, the winner of last year's Milan-San Remo race, Danilo Di Luca, and Enrico Gasparotto, winner of the 2005 Italian championship. Lotto's double diamond logo will appear on the team's flagships and Lotto will also supply its after-race materials. Sartorial articles, technical materials and natural fibres are the hallmarks of Lotto's dedication to promoting the "made in Italy" style.  Track suits, polo shirts, sweatshirts, blousons, waistcoats, shirts and bermudas have been specially designed, and are characterized by the slim fit which enhances the cyclists' bodies, and attention to detail combined with unique design. "This is a major opportunity for our company and it will allow us to portray and popularize the typically Italian style of our collections and our passion for the world of sport," commented Roberto Carpignani, Sales Manager for Italy in Lotto Sport Italia. "The cyclists will wear articles that have been specially created to meet their needs. They will also wear Lotto's latest technology running shoe: Syn-Pulse, a unique model which provides exceptional stability and cushioning, and is the fruit of a revolutionary research project carried out in Lotto's laboratories."

23/12/2006 - GERMANY: LOTTO AND BORUSSIA HAVE EXTENDED THEIR PARTNERSHIP UNTIL 2013

The Italian sportswear company Lotto Sport Italia and Borussia Mönchengladbach have renewed in advance their sponsorship agreement, due to end at the end of the 2007/2008 championship, for a further five years until 2013.

By virtue of the renewal, Lotto will supply the sportswear and accessories to be used in matches, training and representative events. This renewed agreement between Lotto and Borussia is not just a sponsorship deal but is structured as a real partnership that will see the two companies develop further synergies at the commercial level as well as new product lines.

22/12/2006 - BELGIUM/AUSTRIA: VLIEGEN AND PASZEK: LOTTO'S NEW STARS

Lotto has announced the new sponsorship agreements signed with Kristof Vliegen and Tamira Paszek, valid as of next year.

For the next three years the two tennis players will play wearing Lotto footwear, attire and accessories. The agreements are the start of constructive collaboration between the players and the Italian company; indeed, the partnership will not be limited to the mere supply of materials but also includes the athletes' intense contribution toward the development of Lotto's technical products.

Born in Maaseik, Belgium in June 1982, Kristof Vliegen began playing at the age of six and is currently the number one player in Belgium. Throughout this last year he has achieved various successful results, proving his enormous potential. In 2006, he reached the quarter-finals in Stockholm (SWE) and in San José (USA), semi-finals in Chennai (IND), Memphis (USA) and Halle (GER), and finals in Munich (GER) and Stockholm (SWE) in doubles. In the past year, he has climbed 52 positions in the ATP ranking, presenting himself as the new promise of world tennis.

Born in Dornbirn, Austria in December 1990, Tamira Paszek began her tennis career at the age of four-and-a-half. With her participation in the Wimbledon girls' singles final, the Austrian tennis player gained attention worldwide for the first time by demonstrating her high potential. In 2006, she reached the girls' single final of the US Open and in September, thanks to her victory at the WTA tournament in Portoroz, Slovenia, she earned her biggest success. Tamira, at the age of 16, is the seventh-youngest winner of a WTA Tour tournament.

Vliegen and Tamira's arrival at Lotto confirms the attention the company has always focused on younger tennis players, on whom it has always invested significant resources and obtained prestigious results.

22/12/2006 - ITALY: CRUZ AT THE LOTTO STORE IN MILAN

Successful evening at the event held last Thursday in Milan with the presence of Inter forward Julio Cruz and his Zhero Gravity shoes. In fact, a big crowd of curious supporters has peopled the Lotto store already in the early afternoon. The television channel Sky Italia was also present and transmitted in various occasions an extensive reportage of the event, thus offering to our brand and products an important visibility.

22/12/2006 - GREECE: MORRIS AT THE MALL IN ATHENS

Last Friday, the Panathinaikos FC defender Nasief Morris met a big crowd of fans upon his arrival at the Intersport store located at The Mall in Athens. In fact, the player was available for an autograph and picture session with his supporters. The first lucky hundred fans were offered a Lotto miniball signed by the player. The most important Greek media representatives were also present.

29/11/2006 - OTTO ACQUIRES ETONIC

The company led by Andrea Tomat bolsters its position in the US by acquiring a historical brand manufacturer of footwear for running, golf, bowling and walking.

The goal is to double turnover in three years.

Trevignano (Italy), 29 November 2006.- Lotto Sport Italia, world leader in the production of technical footwear for football and tennis, announces its acquisition of Etonic, a major US shoe manufacturer for running, golf, bowling and walking.

The acquisition allows Lotto to significantly strengthen its US market position by bringing an important and well-known brand within its portfolio. According to a recent study, Etonic is indeed one of the best-known sports footwear brands among US consumers, and has succeeded in becoming undisputed leader in the segments of golf and bowling. In the running segment, Etonic is quickly regaining the prestigious positions it held in the past. In 2006, the Jepara shoe was judged best on the market by the editorial staff at Running Network. Etonic has also presented a walking collection of great appeal to build positions of leadership in a market worth about 500 million dollars in the United States alone.

Etonic is without doubt a historic brand in the world of sneakers. Founded in 1876 in Brockton, Massachusetts, it had always been considered as a strongly innovative company. After a lacklustre period during its previous management period, in 2003 it was acquired by a group of managers and has quickly moved on. The results have been immediate: in 2006, with a growth of over 45% on the previous year, the company is set to reach sales of just under 30 million dollars.

Its products, all in the mid-to-high price range, reach a country-wide distribution in the United States, above all in stores offering highly professional and specialized wear in the respective sport worlds.

Thanks to this important operation, the company led by Andrea Tomat (who will become also President of Etonic) will therefore be able to add new sectors of excellence to those of football and tennis, where Lotto is now among the world's leaders.

Important synergies are expected also in distribution, as Lotto will bring the Etonic brand and products into Europe, by exploiting its sales network. At the same time - from the end of 2007 - Lotto's products will be marketed and distributed in the US by the operations set up of Etonic.

The range of Etonic products is wholly complementary to that of Lotto's without any overlap - stated Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia SpA. On the contrary, I'm certain we will generate important synergies between the innovative solutions introduced by Lotto in its chosen markets and those developed by Etonic, which has always enjoyed the reputation of being an R&D leader.

I am particularly satisfied with this acquisition - continued Tomat. We can count on a top-class management team, which succeeded in relaunching the brand in a short time span and which I am certain will take Etonic to the highest level.

Having reached our current stage of growth - said Thomas W. Seeman, CEO of Etonic - it was essential for Etonic to find a leading industrial partner able to support our growth process in the US and offer us the possibility of gaining fast access to new markets".

10/10/2006 - LOTTO SPORT ITALIA 1ST SEMESTER 2006: CONSTANT PROGRESSE

Trevignano (Italy), 10 October 2006. - The first six months of 2006 have confirmed growth expectations for Lotto Sport Italia. Up to 30 June, sales of Lotto brand products reached 132.5 million euros compared to the 117.7 million euros in 2005.
Many were the elements that brought about this result: the Italian market's recovery, the progressive implementation of the internationalisation process, product assortment and efforts in the area of communication.
After a prolonged period of stability, the market in Italy recorded a growth rate of 5% and represents 28% of the total sales.
The recorded performance was influenced by positive results both in Europe, which increased 14% as a whole, and in Asia and the American continent, which grew 18% altogether.
A particular boost was received not only from Mediterranean countries -ever the Italian company's core business, noting the growth of France ( 6%) and Spain ( 10%)-; following important investments made, excellent results were also obtained from some Northern European markets such as Germany ( 27%), Holland ( 93%) and Austria ( 64%).
Strengthening of the distribution network brought about growth both in Eastern Europe, led by Romania ( 48%) and Serbia ( 224%), and in Africa-Middle East with Algeria ( 129%) and Saudi Arabia ( 25%).

In terms of product assortment, apparel takes 56% of sales, shoes 40%, and the remaining percentage of 4% goes to accessories. The greatest growth was recorded in the first category ( 14%) thanks to an expansion in the leisure sector in a significant number of markets.
Among the company's core business, the market crowns football as its most successful sector ( 20%) in particular the World Cup project and Zhero Gravity, the first laceless football boot in the world. Five-a-side football and tennis remained constant and, together with football, generated 45% of Lotto sales.
The running sector is on the rise ( 24%), and the entire leisure time sector is also up ( 7%), which represents almost half the sales.

This data is the basis for a 2006 that shows high promise for Lotto Sport Italia: "Closing estimates indicate world sales around 270 million euros"- affirms Andrea Tomat, President and CEO - "with an expected growth of 5%. Intense marketing activities this year, divided between sports sponsorships and advertising campaigns, featuring World Cup champion Luca Toni, was rewarded by the market. The visibility of the brand and its products reinforced Lotto's role as a top brand not only for activewear but also for leisurewear."

Within the process of strong internationalisation, the license agreement signed with Pro Italy Mark for the Mexican market is particularly significant. The licensee is part of the prestigious Martì group -by far the most important chain of sports article stores in the country. The expansion plan envisages an increase in Lotto brand sales from the current 10 to a turnover of 20 million USD in three years. A very aggressive marketing plan consisting of the sponsorship of two new first division teams that will join the ranks of the prestigious Pumas de la UNAM is currently in the agenda.

"The first signs of sales for 2007 are encouraging" - continues Andrea Tomat - "with orders in process for the summer season increased by 20%. We expect the company's performance will improve further in the coming years".

02/10/2006 - TENNIS- FORTIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Luxembourg-LUX (Tier II)

Hard / Indoors - September 25 - October 1, 2006

Lotto testimonial Alona Bondarenko (Ukraine) won her first career WTA Tour singles title with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Francesca Schiavone (Italy). The 22-year-old Ukrainian appeared in her second tour final (following 2005 in Hyderabad/IND) and is now recording a new career-high ranking of no. 33.

23/09/2006 - ITALY: INTERNATIONAL CHARITY EXHIBITION "DAL FOOTBALL AL CALCIO"

The international exhibition "Dal Football al calcio" organized by the non-profit association of William Bottigelli will be held from 30 September to 8 October in Piacenza (Italy). The objective of the association, headed by former Italian team player Eusebio Di Francesco, is to offer effective support to children around the world who are suffering from illness, malnutrition and economical difficulties.

On this occasion, the uniforms of Ukraine and Serbia & Montenegro as well as the Zhero Gravity football boots will be exposed. At the end of the exhibition all the Lotto products will be auctioned to raise funds for the kids.

22/09/2006 - ENNIS - DAVIS CUP: SERBIA&MONTENEGRO AND AUSTRIA

Two Lotto teams will be fighting this weekend for a place in the Davis Cup World Group. The teams of Serbia & Montenegro and Austria will wear the official Lotto Davis Cup uniform and will face Switzerland and Mexico respectively.

21/09/2006 - TENNIS- LOTTO AT THE WTA TOUR SUNFEAST OPEN IN KOLKATA - INDIA

For the second consecutive year, Lotto is "Official Supplier" of the Sunfeast Open which is held in Kolkata from 18 to 24 September 2006. Thanks to its licensee Sierra, Lotto is supplying apparel, shoes and accessories to the staff, umpires, linesmen and ballboys. Indian star and Lotto player Sania Mirza is due to play today the singles quarterfinals and the doubles semifinals.

18/09/2006 - 16-17 SEPTEMBER 2006 - TENNIS - ITALY WINS ITS FIRST FED CUP!

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas - Final, Charleroi (BEL)

Belgium vs Italy

Italy captured its first Fed Cup title on Sunday taking down former champion Belgium 3-2 in the championship final. The winner was decided by a great doubles match, won by Francesca Schiavone and Lotto player Roberta Vinci 3-6, 6-2, 2-0 after Justine Henin-Hardenne had to retire due to knee problems.

The Italian team of captain and Lotto testimonial Corrado Barazzutti have won their first Fed Cup trophy since the start of the competition in 1963.

13/09/2006 - LOTTO AND GAUDÌ WITH UDINESE CALCIO

Udine, 13 September 2006.- During the presentation of the new Udinese team to fans, the new uniforms made by Lotto Sport Italia for the 2006-2007 championship were also presented.

The Italian sportswear company, acting as Technical Sponsor and Official Supplier until 2010, will provide Udinese Calcio with the apparel and accessories for the matches, training sessions and leisure time for the top team as well as for the junior teams.

The Udine team's Main Sponsor will be Gaudì, a Modena-based leisurewear brand, which will appear on the shirts with Lotto, representing an all-Italian winning pair.

As on previous years, the uniforms were made by Lotto in close collaboration with Udinese Calcio. In particular, the first shirt sports a slightly V-shaped neck and has black and white stripes with a slightly blazing effect that gives it a decidedly aggressive look. The shorts and the socks are of a single colour coordinated with the shirt.

The second and third shirts also have an equally innovative look, reflecting the Magma project, Lotto's new vision for football shirts. It is a concept that debuted during the World Cup in Germany and which has been reproduced for Udinese's uniforms.

Specifically, the second and third uniform shirts have seven points made of elasticised poly mesh, maximising breathability whilst at the same time making their design unique and captivating. The optical effect is certainly striking as the points converge centrally, where the team shield and the Main Sponsor's and Lotto's logos are positioned.

The uniforms are made of Poly Tech Stretch, an extremely lightweight, breathable elasticised fabric that ensures maximum comfort and the least amount of fatigue during play.

The colours chosen for the uniforms respect tradition: black with gold inserts for the second shirt, blue with white inserts for the third. The shorts and socks are colour coordinated with the shirts.

31/08/2006 - TENNIS - JUAN CARLOS FERRERO VINCE ANCORA

US Open- New York, USA
August 28 - September 10, 2006
Surface: Hardcourt

The new Magma shirt of the Spring/Summer 2007 collection made his debut yesterday at the US Open. The Lotto testimonial Juan Carlos Ferrero, wearing the new SS07 tennis apparel line, showed a great physical condition beating George Bastl (SUI) 7-5 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the first round leaving only one set to his opponent. Ferrero will face Frenchman Gicquel in the second round.

20/08/2006 - TENNIS - JUAN CARLOS FERRERO REACHES THE FINAL OF CINCINNATI MASTERS

Western and Southern Financial Group Masters Cincinnati, USA
August 14 -20, 2006
Surface: Hardcourt

Lotto testimonial, Juan Carlos Ferrero, reached the final of Cincinnati Masters by beating second seed Rafael Nadal and then Tommy Robredo.
Congratulations to the recently signed tennis player, who gained 13 positions on the ATP ranking, so becoming number 18 in the world.

10/08/2006 - CHINA: LOTTO SHOP IS NAMED BEST COUNTER ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER ITS OPENING

We are pleased to announce that the Lotto shop based in Shanghai's prestigious department store New World Comprehensive Consumption Circle NWCCC has been named the best counter in the first half year of 2006. This prize is given by the NWCCC department store twice a year with the participation of all its shops.

A monthly sales increase of 15% to 20%, an eye-catching shop layout, a clean environment as well as an accurate service have been the reasons for the assignment of this important award.

Congratulations for this great achievement.

24/07/2006 - JUAN CARLOS FERRERO, NEW TESTIMONIAL AT LOTTO

Trevignano (Italy), 24 July 2006 - Not just a sponsor for football but also a tennis sponsor. After the end of a great World Cup, which witnessed the raising of the world cup by three athletes wearing Lotto football shoes (Luca Toni, Mauro Camoranesi and Simone Perrotta), Lotto Sport Italia focuses on tennis with new and important deals. Indeed, these days a sponsorship agreement between Lotto and Spanish tennis player Juan Carlos Ferrero was signed at the Italian sportswear company's headquarters.

The Spanish tennis player, ranked twenty-seven in ATP, will play all his next tournaments wearing Lotto footwear, attire and accessories. A three-year contract means the start of fruitful cooperation between the Spanish tennis player and the Italian sportswear company that will entail not only the supply of gear but also the player's intense contribution in the development of the performance products.

During his visit to the new sponsor's headquarters, Ferrero met with Andrea Tomat, Lotto President, who took advantage of the opportunity to officially give the tennis player the footwear model Ferrero will wear this week on the red clay court of the ATP Croatia Open Tournament in Umag.

In the last few years, Juan Carlos Ferrero, born in Onteniente, Spain in February 1980, has attained important recognition in tennis courts worldwide: a dominating figure at the Davis Cup in 2000; victory at the Dubai, Estoril, Barcelona and Rome Tournaments in 2001; winner in Hong Kong and Montecarlo in 2002; the 2003 win at Roland Garros; a finalist at the 2003 US Open and, in the same year, number one in the ATP ranking.

Juan Carlos Ferrero is one of the latest great tennis players of the Spanish school and as of now he's been added to the prestigious list of Lotto international stars.

Thanks to the agreement with the Iberian tennis player, Lotto has also become the Official Technical Sponsor of the "Juan Carlos Ferrero Equelite Tennis Academy", one of the world's best tennis schools, where many young champions train.

Founded by Ferrero near the city of Alicante, the school trains many tennis racquet stars, who choose the school to prepare for the most important tournaments. Lotto's technical sponsorship, which will last until the end of 2009, envisages the supply of footwear, attire and accessories for all the school's instructors. Moreover, Lotto will be present in all the practice courts with banners at the sidelines.

As a further confirmation of the Italian sports brand's commitment in international professional tennis, Lotto will be the Official Technical Sponsor at the Valencia ATP Tournament, which will be held in April 2007. Lotto will supply the staff, referees, linesmen and ball boys with attire, footwear and accessories for the next three years. The sports brand's visibility on tennis courts will grow further by setting up commercial stands where the entire range of Lotto tennis as well as sportswear collections will be on display.

10/07/2006 - ITALY WINS THE WORLD CUP

The Azzurri won the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time after holding their nerves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. It was the first time Italy had won a penalty shoot-out in four attempts and it has handed Marcello Lippi's men a fourth World Cup crown to set alongside victories in 1934, 1938 and 1982. Italy, with a 0-3 record in World Cup shootouts - it lost the 1994 final against Brazil, in the only previous final shootout, a 1990 semi-final against Argentina, and a 1998-quarter-final against France - this time was faultless from the spot. Fireworks proclaiming a fourth FIFA World Cup for Italy exploded into the black skies above the Olympiastadion as the Azzurri party began, leaving France to its own thoughts. Italy edged one Trophy behind Brazil in the pantheon of FIFA World Cup winners.

05/07/2006 - CURIOSITY FROM GERMAN FIELDS

Italy's Luca Toni is the latest in a line of strikers who have tasted FIFA World Cup success after an odyssey which has earned them the unwanted tag of journeyman professional. The 29-year-old Fiorentina forward's brace in the impressive 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Friday's quarter-final completed a rise to the top that has taken in nine clubs in 12 years. However three successful seasons at first Palermo and then Fiorentina saw his dream of playing at the FIFA World Cup come true and he repaid Italy coach Marcello Lippi's judgement in style against the Ukrainians. During the match against Ukraine Luca Toni scored his first World Cup goals with Zhero Evolution!

08/06/2006 - LOTTO: INTERNATIONALI- ZATION AND ITALIAN STYLE

Lotto Sport Italia S.p.A. has closed 2005 in a satisfactory manner, notwithstanding the recession in the Italian market which has curbed the growth of the brand. With total sales of 257 million euro, the Company has managed to make up for the less than enthralling performance of the domestic market with its export markets. The end result for the past financial year is therefore in line with the 2004 results, but in the aggregate the Company is speeding up its internationalization. The effort generated once again in 2005 has been translated into an increase in orders and turnover in 2006 - a year in which good recovery in the expansion process is foreseen.

"2005 was a very intense year for Company activities," declared Andrea Tomat, President and CEO of the Company. "Inspired by the spirit to contrast the recession with the utmost strength, we have continued along the route to internationalization while at the same time giving light to several projects which are the fruits of our Research and Development department’s work. The most significant was undoubtedly the launch of Zhero Gravity, the first lace-less football shoe in the history of this sport, a veritable technological revolution and a landmark in the developmental processes of products for sports professionals. Of equal importance for repercussions in terms of market opportunities, was the start of the high-end leisure footwear and apparel collection named Lotto Leggenda, intended for a selected clientele in the non-sports sector. As regards the increased intensity of our brand presence abroad, we have signed new commercial agreements such as the joint-venture in China and new distribution agreements in Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia - a presence which reflects the intense penetration and positioning activity in Asia. At the same time, the setting up of the joint-venture in the USA is part of a project aimed at relaunching our brand in the world of American sportswear".

In 2005, the most important geographical area for Lotto sales was Europe once again, with Italy being the number one market accounting for 26% of total sales. In the central area, essential maintenance of the market position in Germany and Spain coincided with satisfactory growth in Austria ( 3%) and France ( 5%), and significant expansion in Belgium and Holland which achieved 44% and 26% respectively. Results were also very good in Greece ( 29%) and Turkey ( 62%). The countries of Eastern Europe have also been strengthened, with a number of markets exhibiting double digit growth (Romania, Slovakia and and Slovenia).

Europe accounts for 67% of the total sales turnover, Africa – Middle East for 5%, the Americas 13% and lastly Asia and Oceania 15%. As has been explained, over the course of the past two years the foundations have been laid for a progressively increasing contribution of both European countries – and more particularly those in the Mediterranean area – and non-European areas. On this topic, the results achieved in India are satisfying - Lotto has generated a turnover of more than €3 million in just twelve months. Similarly in Japan, excellent results have been achieved with a 26% increase in turnover on the previous period. As regards the Americas, good results have been achieved in Columbia and Chile.

The product category subdivision between footwear (44%), apparel (51%) and accessories (5%) has remained essentially unchanged. Football and five-a-side football are the leading categories, followed by tennis and running. The leisure segment has grown and now represents at least 50% of the total, but as already explained there are prospects for expansion in this segment. Good results ( 8%) have been achieved for sales of Lotto brand non-core products (school and stationery, underwear and cosmetics) which have reached 6.5 million euro. The cosmetics line developed by the Italian company Weruska & Joel precisely in 2005, has been particularly successful at the international level.

"Looking at 2006, the signals are positive," Tomat confirmed. "Orders are clearly growing. In the European markets the 2006 summer season has closed with an increase of 11%, while we recorded 17% for the winter season. Reasons behind this success include the upswing in the Italian market, the further boost given to exports, the World Cup with the Zhero Gravity project, and the strengthening of our offering in the sportswear area."

In 2006, the Company aims to achieve the threshold value of €270 million by again focusing on innovation, creativity and its Italian image. In the second half of the year, further additions to the Company staff are foreseen in order to strengthen the American project. This particular project is the next challenge area in the Company’s plans, more particularly because of the values which the brand will be able to radiate, not only in performance products but above all in the leisure area.

Tomat continued, "Sportswear is the competitive arena in which we want to grow and carve out an important role for ourselves, by passing the brand value on to the customer just as we have already done with its performance. To this end we are planning synergistic activities in the communication plan. These will see the light as of the second half of the year, with a media campaign in which we aim to make our sports testimonials – and first of all the striker Luca Toni – icons not only of technical products and Italian technology, but above all icons of leisure wear and the Italian lifestyle."

"Five years ago my objective was to take this brand over the 500 million euro turnover threshold. We have tackled unfavourable circumstances which have caused a slowdown in demand. But at the same time we have continued to work with zeal, and now - more than ever before - I believe that we can look optimistically at this goal as I believe we have all the prerequisites for achieving it by 2010. The current year will give us a first indication of our future capabilities," concluded Tomat.

02/03/2006 - LOTTO AND PT MAP LAUNCH ITALIAN BRAND IN INDONESIA

Trevignano (Italy)/Jakarta (Indonesia), 2 March 2006.- The Italian sportswear company Lotto Sport Italia has appointed PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk (MAP) as its exclusive licensee for Indonesia until 31 December 2010. The new licensing contract was announced yesterday at a press conference in Jakarta together with the World Cup project Zhero.

Thanks to MAP's strong experience in marketing, sales and distribution, Lotto Sport Italia aims to launch the brand in Indonesia and to establish itself as a leading sports brand, particularly this World Cup year. The objective is to reach in 3 years a sales turnover of 15 million USD corresponding to a 10% international sports brand market share, of which 65% are estimated from footwear and 35% from apparel, and to double sales in 5 years.

To meet this goal, Lotto Sport Italia and MAP have devised a product strategy that will offer Italian design, superior technology and style in sport performance and leisure products. The product lines will include international models as well as a special collection, specifically tailored for the Indonesian market, with a distribution through MAP's extensive multi-tier retail network of Planet Sports, The Athlete's Foot, Sport Stations, Soccer Stations, SOGO and many other independent sports retailers throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

On the occasion of the new license agreement, Lotto presented also in Indonesia the Zhero project and in particular Zhero Gravity, the world's first laceless football boots. Three years of intensive research to complete a product that is absolutely unique and which will be at centre stage of the coming World Cup 2006 in Germany.

"I am delighted to introduce Zhero Gravity in tandem with the launch of the brand in Indonesia", said Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia. "Lotto is proud to be the pioneer in the football boot field. This revolutionary product is absolutely unique in the world and it emphasizes our strong commitment to constant innovation. The 2006 World Cup in Germany is 'Lotto's project' for football and the planned investment for this event is considerable."

"Indonesia is a huge potential market for soccer" , added Andrea Tomat, "and PT Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk are clearly the leaders in marketing, sales and distribution. We believe that MAP's competence in local market knowledge combined with Lotto's Italian design and technology will create a winning market edge".

MAP Director Michael Capper said "one of MAP's key goals in 2006 is to enter the soccer market and we are delighted to sign a unique agreement with Lotto, one of the world's most iconic sports brands. Soccer penetrates all sectors of society in Indonesia and this matches with our own internal philosophy to reach "The Heart of Sport" in our country by providing products customized to local market requirements with Italian know-how at all levels of price".

MAP has more than 200 fully owned sports shops across the archipelago such as Soccer Station, Planet Sports, Sports Station, The Athlete's Foot, Golf House and The Sports Warehouse which are customized to suit the sports consumers of all income levels.

15/02/2006 - LOTTO IN THE CHINESE PREMIERSHIP

Trevignano (Italy) - A delegation from Shenyang Jinde of the Chinese Super League visited yesterday the headquarters of Lotto Sport Italia.

Last month Lotto announced its expansion into the Chinese market through the new partnership with Scienward International Holdings and the incorporation of a joint venture company, Lotto China Ltd. The sponsorship agreement between Lotto China Ltd and the Chinese team was also announced in the same press conference which was hold in Shanghai. As one of Lotto's most important marketing investments in China, this move will support the brand's strategic focus on football.

From 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008 Lotto will be the Asian club's "Official Supplier and Technical Sponsor", acting as exclusive supplier of footwear, clothing and accessories used in the matches, training and at functions and events.

On receiving the managers of Shenyang Jinde at the company's headquarters, Lotto President Andrea Tomat presented the first pair of Zhero Gravity, the world's first laceless football boots, which will be supplied to the team in the coming season and worn by some of the key players.

'We are truly proud to announce this new partnership with Shenyang Jinde' - said a very satisfied Andrea Tomat, President and CEO of Lotto Sport Italia. 'China is definitely a key market for Lotto's strategic expansion plans and this team will act as our brand's prestigious ambassador in China's Super League.'

13/02/2006 - LOTTO AT THE COPPA CARNEVALE WORLD YOUTH TOURNAMENT

For the third consecutive year Lotto Sport Italia is the Technical Sponsor of the youth football tournament "Coppa Carnevale", which runs from 13 to 27 February 2006 at Viareggio (Italy).

This tournament is one of the most important events amongst the international youth championships and is considered as the "Champions League" of the young promising players.

Lotto will supply the official balls used during matches, the technical material to the staff and ball boys and will be present with banners on all playing fields.

Besides, Lotto will be represented by the teams of Ascoli, Fiorentina, Palermo, Treviso, Udinese and Pumas.

30/01/2006 - LOTTO AND LUCA TONI TEAMED UP UNTIL 2010

Trevignano (Italy) - Enthusiasm, dedication, professionalism, charisma, likeableness, and Italian style . what can better sum up Luca Toni?

The forward of Fiorentina and the Italian national squad visited his technical sponsor today, at Lotto Sport Italia's headquarters in Italy.

The violet bomber met the Lotto President, Andrea Tomat, and the meeting saw an extension to the sponsorship agreement between the player and the Italian company until 31 July 2010.

"We are satisfied but not surprised by the Luca's performance" said Andrea Tomat "we have always believed in his potential since his days with Palermo more than 3 years ago. It has been a story of growing up together. Today Luca is our main testimonial, as he exemplifies the brand's values of high technical content matched with unmistakable Italian style".

Luca Toni made a point of meeting all the personnel and of taking a full tour around the company, in particular to Lotto's R&D Centre. This is actually where design and development took place of Zhero Gravity, the world's first laceless football boot - thanks also to Toni's contribution. Of course he'll be wearing the boots, manufactured in Italy, at this year's FIFA World Cup in Germany.

In the early afternoon Luca Toni then visited the company's Factory Outlet Store at Cornuda to meet the many fans, giving autographs and, as always, expressing all of his typically positive Italian charisma.

Teamed up together, Lotto and Luca Toni are a strong blend that identifies and promotes the essence of Italian football worldwide. A great athlete and a great product unrivalled in terms of quality and technology.

Zhero Gravity by Lotto, on the feet of Luca Toni, will be the greatest expression of "Made in Italy" at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

23/01/2006 - PETR CECH IS THE NEW WORLD'S BEST GOALKEEPER

Please be informed that 23-year-old Petr Cech has been named the world's best goalkeeper 2005 by the IFFHS, International Federation of Football History & Statistics. The Chelsea and Czech National team keeper was voted to the top preceding another Lotto player, Dida, the goalkeeper of Brazil and of AC Milan.
IFFHS has been selecting the world's best goalkeeper every year since 1987. For this year's edition, the votes were cast by a selected panel of experts and sports editors in 81 countries. The official result of the top keepers is as follows:

1. Petr Cech (CZE) 175 points
2. Dida (BRA) 91 points
3. Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) 78 points
4. Grégory Coupet (FRA) 43 points
5. Oliver Kahn (GER) 42 points

17/01/2006 - LOTTO PRESENTS ZHERO GRAVITY BOOTS TO VAN BRONCKHORST

Trevignano (Italy) - Barcelona and Holland defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst visited yesterday his sportswear sponsor at the offices of Lotto Sport Italia in Trevignano.

During his visit the Barcelona star was presented with a pair of Zhero Gravity football boots, the world’s first lace-free boots, which he will wear at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Zhero Gravity is the fruit of an investment on the part of Lotto worth € 1.5 million with 3 years of technological research, ergonomic studies of players’ feet and body movements, laboratory tests of materials, structural resistance and torsion.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s sponsorship agreement with the Italian company lasts until 30 November 2007. As a left back and a key element both in his team’s defence and counter-attack, the left-footed Van Bronckhorst is a vital player for his club and national side.

Born in Rotterdam in 1975, Van Bronckhorst entered the junior levels of his local team, Feyenoord, at the age of seven. He made his senior debut in the Dutch championship in the ’93-‘94 season for RKC Waalwijk before returning to Feyenoord for the start of the following season. He then played for Glasgow Rangers and Arsenal before his move to Barcelona, who are current leaders of the Spanish championship and are in the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League, where they now face Chelsea.

Van Bronckhorst made his debut with the Dutch national team against Brazil in 1996. He gained his 54th cap in the friendly against Italy on 12 November 2005.

13/01/2006 - LOTTO MARKS A TRIUMPH LAUNCH IN CHINA BY PRESENTING THE ZHERO WORLD CUP PROJECT

Trevignano (Italy)/Shanghai (China), 13 January 2006.- Italian sportswear company Lotto Sport Italia announces the partnership with Scienward International Holdings Ltd to create Lotto China Ltd. This new joint-venture will operate with offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Nanjing with the mission to offer Italian design, superior technology as well as inimitable style in sport performance and leisure products in China and Hong Kong.

For China, Lotto plans a distribution mainly through monobrand stores and department store corners. The product lines will include international models as well as a special collection, specifically realized for the Chinese market, with an eye-catching lifestyle inspired from Lotto's close ties with sport.

For Hong Kong, the distribution strategy will include the opening of a flagship store in the second half-year of 2006 as well as the presence in multibrand, independent general sporting goods and specialized tennis and football stores. The products showcased will be the performance and leisure collections of the Italian brand.

Andrea Tomat, President and CEO of Lotto Sport Italia declared at the press conference, "Lotto Sport Italia recognizes China as a key market in its worldwide business development and has therefore decided to reshape its distribution in the land of the Great Wall through this new joint-venture. Further to the recently opened five stores, Lotto plans to open 12 self-owned stores in the major cities of China, 50 franchised points of sale in the first half of 2006, as well as another 50 points of sale by the end of 2006. Our objective is to reach a sales turnover of 15 million USD in 2006, rising to 100 million USD by 2010 at retail value."

In Lotto's history, major sponsorships have always been the keystones to success stories. This tradition has been brought to China as Lotto has recently signed a sponsorship agreement with the Chinese Super League team Shenyang Jinde. According to the deal, Lotto will be the "Technical Sponsor and Official Supplier" of the prestigious football team from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008.

Football is Lotto's core focus and expertise. When the 2002 World Cup ended, the Lotto R&D Centre was already at work, analyzing and studying the matches and the players' behaviour on the pitch in order to make further improvements in football shoe performance. Three years of research to complete a product that is absolutely unique in the world, for the 2006 World Cup in Germany: Zhero Gravity, the first football shoe without laces.

Zhero Gravity is part of the Zhero Project which includes also Zhero Evolution and Zhero Leggenda, each carrying unique technical characteristics and features capable of fully satisfying the needs of players at all level.

"Lotto is proud to be the pioneer in the football shoe field," noted Andrea Tomat, "this revolutionary product is absolutely unique in the world and it emphasizes our strong commitment to constant innovation. The 2006 World Cup in Germany is "Lotto's project" for football and the planned investment for this event is considerable."

08/11/2005 - INDIAN TENNIS STAR SANIA MIRZA TO VISIT LOTTO SPORT ITALIA'S HEADQUARTERS IN TREVIGNANO

Trevignano (Italy), 18-year-old tennis star Sania Mirza paid a visit yesterday to Lotto Sport Italia's headquarters in Trevignano.

Mirza met with Andrea Tomat, president of the Italian sportswear company that has been supplying the tennis player the tennis shoes, apparel and accessories since March 2005, thanks also to the collaboration with Sierra Industrial Enterprises, Lotto's licensee for India.

Thanks to the close relationship and the technical consulting that bonds the Indian crack to the Italian brand, the meeting also represented the perfect opportunity for Lotto to present the shoes and apparel collection which will be worn by the athlete during the coming 12 months. In fact, as Mirza is one of Lotto's most important icons at worldwide level, the company has developed a large performance collection, which will allow an increased brand visibility and includes valuable technical feedbacks, which only a professional athlete at this level can provide.

Sania Mirza was born in Bombay in 1986 and can look back at particularly brilliant results this year, which allowed her to jump from no. 166 to no. 31 in the WTA Tour ranking list. She captured her first career title in home country of India at Hyderabad Open and also reached the final at Forest Hills (USA) and the semi-finals at the Japan Open.

The next important appointments for Sania Mirza beginning next year: Hong Kong, Sydney and the Australian Open.

05/11/2005 - FOOTBALL - AL ITTIHAD WIN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The Lotto team Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia confirmed their status as Asia's top club by winning the AFC Champions League for a second consecutive time on November, 5th in Jeddah thanks to a 4-2 victory over Al Ain (UAE), also sponsored by Lotto.

The deserved victory caps a memorable year for the club who, in July, added the Arab Champions League trophy to their impressive list of domestic and international honours.

Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad will represent Asia at the FIFA Club World Championship which will be held in Japan from 11 to 18 December 2005.

13/10/2005 - A TRIO OF NEW OPENINGS FOR LOTTO WITH UDINE

Following the recent openings in the Mantua and Bari areas, Lotto is now toasting the official opening of another new store, in the city of Udine.

Following the May inauguration of the flagship store in Milan, two new Lotto factory outlets opened in September, one situated in Mantua's Bagnolo San Vito fashion district and one in Molfetta. Both of the new outlets are characterised by an assortment of footwear, clothing and accessories for sport and leisure wear, expressing top value for money and with a simple, sober display image in line with the criteria the brand has defined for this type of retail format.

The official opening of the new Lotto store situated at 26 via Mercatovecchio in the historic heart of Udine will take place this afternoon at 5.30 pm (Show movie). The new Friuli store's "christening" will see the tape cut by the Company's Chief Sales Officer, Alberto Niero, together with the Udinese team (of which Lotto is the technical sponsor) and coach Serse Cosmi, who will be the "godfathers".

The new store is spread over two levels and covers a total sales area of 200 square metres. It houses the sporting world of the Lotto collections - from pure performance sports (soccer, five-a-side and tennis) to leisure wear, with a full assortment in terms of footwear, clothing and co-ordinated accessories.

The men's assortment with a broad range of footwear is presented on the ground floor. The first floor is the perfect place for the women's, boys' and girls' assortments - both technical and leisure - and the rich collection of products which Lotto has made for Udinese Calcio, as well as those of the other serie A teams that the Italian sports brand sponsors (Palermo, Fiorentina, Chievo, Treviso and Ascoli). Sports underwear, eyewear and cosmetics offerings are also planned for the future.

At the exterior, the four shining windows start by creating a strong emotional impact in a store characterised by particularly effective lighting and shop fittings which take up the brand's typical colours - red, white and black - played on the base of grey PVC flooring, white walls in raw brick, white lacquered wood furniture, vertical components in black paintwork and satin-finish steel accessories, which all contribute to give the store brightness and practicality. The store is dominated by its spaciousness, the bright red central cash desk block, and numerous posters in the brand's new style of communication.

The Friuli store is also an important showcase, and takes the number of Lotto stores now operational in Italy to 29, managed either directly or through third parties. The latest stage in the Company's distribution strategy, this new store opening strengthens the brand's presence throughout Italy and fits into the broader international retail plan. The objective of that plan is to strengthen Lotto's image in those markets where the brand is already present and recognised on the one hand, and to exploit the opportunity to secure high visibility in emerging markets too on the other. The autumn period will in fact also see other countries as the protagonist, with restyling operations and new openings planned in China, India and Korea, among other countries.

09/09/2005 - LOTTO: THE ESSENCE OF SPORT, AN ESSENCE FOR SPORT

At today's press conference, with the kind participation of a selected football team of models, the Nazionale Modelle - who have been organizing charity matches for some months now, sporting their elegant outfits by Lotto on the football fields - the brand-new line of Lotto scents and cosmetics, produced and distributed under exclusive worldwide licence by Turin-based Weruska & Joel, has made its "catwalk début".

"Godfathering" the official presentation was AC Milan defender and captain of the 2002 World Cup's winning soccer team Cafu (who has been playing in Lotto boots since the year 2000), who joined the chairpersons of the two companies - Andrea Tomat for Lotto Sport Italia and Luisa Paci for Weruska & Joel - for the official launch of the new lines of scents and cosmetics for men and women bearing the Italian sports brand.

The Lotto line has "entered the field" with a comprehensive range for sportsmen and women: for women, Eau de Toilette, Body Lotion, In Shower Body Lotion, Alcohol-Free Deodorant Milk, featuring a vivacious and sparkling harmonious blend of musky and floral scents, exuding energy and sensuality, meant for exuberant, bright and passionate women who are mischievous and want to assert their vitality. Eau de Toilette, After Shave splash and balm, Alcohol-Free Deodorant Milk for men, their distinguishing trait an eloquent fragrance that reveals the instinctive language of the body and wields natural seductive charm, exposing power and energy in a sensual dynamism.

The packaging also pays homage to the line's sport origins, designed with a vibrant, dynamic slant, defined by netting that elegantly enwraps all the tension, power and speed that prelude the athletic burst.

The marketing idea steering the licence agreement between Lotto and Weruska & Joel - to last eight years (2005 - 2012) - tends to translate the high-performance contents of Lotto products into leading cosmetic items aimed to meet the needs of sportsmen and women. Scents, therefore, are joined by other tailored cosmetics, for pre- and post-sport use.

Whilst its core business is still sportswear and sports shoes, Lotto - in line with the Company's strategic plan, which entails parallel expansi