Adelmo Eufemi known as "Memmo" was born in Anzio (Rome), on June 18, 1935.
He started playing football in his hometown of Anzio, near Rome. At 19, in 1954, he was signed by Lazio.
Lazio in 1954-55 had Federico Allasio as manager for the first eight games and then Englishman George Raynor. The Biancocelesti finished 12th. The highlights were beating Juventus 2-1 and Roma 3-1 Eufemi only played one league game.
In 1955-56 he was sent to Livorno in Serie B on loan. In Leghorn he played 20 league games. The Amaranto were relegated under three different managers but all called Mario: Magnozzi, Zidarich and Villini.
In 1956-57 he was back at Lazio to stay. The manager was Englishman Jesse Carver and Lazio finished an excellent 3rd. Eufemi played 22 league games.
In 1957-58, first under Mirovan Ćirić (1-19), then Alfredo Monza (20-34) Lazio finished 12th. The highlight was beating Roma 2-1 in March. Eufemi played 21 league games. Then for the Coppa Italia, from June onwards, Fulvio Bernardini took over.
In the summer and September Lazio played the cup. The Biancocelesti, in the group phase, won 4 (Palermo 5-1, Napoli 3-1 at home and Roma 3-2, Napoli 4-0 away) and drew 2 (Palermo 2-2 away and Roma 1-1 at home). Lazio then eliminated Marzotto Valdagno 2-1 in the quarters and Juventus 2-0 in the semis and qualified for the final. It was played in Rome on September 24, 1958 against Fiorentina and Lazio triumphed 1-0 with a Maurilio Prini winner. Lazio won their first historic silverware. Eufemi did not play the final but was a Coppa Italia winner.
In 1958-59 in Serie A Lazio finished 11th under Fulvio Bernardini. It was the first season without Arne Selmosson who had "defected" to Roma. The highlight was beating Juventus 1-0 and Eufemi played 12 league games.
In 1959-60, Lazio finished 12th under Bernardini again. The Biancocelesti came 3rd in Coppa Italia and Eufemi played 10 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In 1960-61 Lazio were relegated. Bernardini was replaced by Enrique Flamini after ten games and after fifteen Jesse Carver arrived as Technical Director but to no avail. A sad first relegation for the Biancocelesti. The only consolation was beating Roma 2-1 in March. Lazio reached the final of Coppa Italia but were beaten 0-2 by Fiorentina. Eufemi played 28 league games, 3 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the Alps Cup.
In Serie B in 1961-62 the manager was first Paolo Todeschini (1-21), then Bob Lovati (22-27) and finally Carlo Facchini (28-38). Lazio narrowly missed out on promotion finishing 4th. The season was shrouded in controversy however as against Napoli, in March, Lazio had a perfectly regular Gianni Seghedoni goal disallowed as the referee Rigato claimed it had gone in through a hole in the net. Lazio then finished one point behind Napoli who were promoted.
Eufemi played 27 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. In April he broke his meniscus and due to mistakes in the operation he was out of action for a long period.
The 1962-63 season would be his last in Rome but it ended on a high, for the club anyway. Under manager Bob Lovati (who took over from Facchin after 4 games) and Technical Director Juan Carlos Lorenzo, Lazio won promotion. Eufemi however did not play due to his ongoing physical problems.
Eufemi then spent a season with Udinese in Serie B in 1963-64. He only played 3 league games and the Zebrette were relegated. One of his teammates was old Arne Selmosson (Lazio 1955 -58).
In 1964 he went back to Anzio for two years at regional level and then in 1966-67 joined Crotone in Serie C. He played 31 league games and the "Squali" (The Sharks) finished 17th, under Giovanni Zanollo. One of his teammates was a young keeper Michelangelo Sulfaro (Lazio 1969-71).
He then spent one last year in Sicily with Terranova Gela in Prima Categoria (6th tier) and the Giallorossi were promoted to Serie D. Eufemi played 31 league games.
He then retired at 33.
After retiring he returned to Lazio and between 1969 and 1972 he worked in the youth sector. In 1972-74 he was coach with Ladispoli, near Rome, at regional level. In 1974 he returned to Lazio's youth set up and in 1975-76 was even assistant manager to Giulio Corsini for seven games before Tommaso Maestrelli returned.
In 1976-77 he left Lazio and was coach of Potenza in Serie D, finishing 4th.
In 1978-79 he was at Frosinone in Serie C. He was replaced during the season by another former Lazio manager, Umberto Mannocci (1964-66). The "Canarini" (The Canaries) were ultimately relegated.
He then had experiences at local level but his professional manager career was over as such.
Adelmo Eufemi was a solid defender. He was hard battling, strong and gritty player which made him popular with the fans. He played 132 games for Lazio, over eight years and won a Coppa Italia.
He then worked for the club for another six years as youth coach, scout, technical adviser and assistant manager. In the triumphant 1973-74 season he worked closely with Maestrelli and Lovati, with whom he was great friends.
In May 2022 he presented his autobiography at the Circolo Canottieri Lazio (Lazio Rowing Club) with the apt title, "La mia vita per la Lazio” (My life for Lazio). The title says it all.
Adelmo Eufemi still lives in Anzio and still follows his beloved Lazio.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Cup of the Alps | Italo-French Friendship Cup |
1954-55 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
1956-57 | 22 | 22 | - | - | - | - |
1957-58 | 21 | 21 | - | - | - | - |
1958-59 | 14 | 12 | - | 2 | - | - |
1959-60 | 12 | 10 | - | 1 | - | 1 |
1960-61 | 33 | 28 | - | 3 | 2 | - |
1961-62 | 29 | - | 27 | 2 | - | - |
Total | 132 | 94 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Sources