GDE Bertoni: The small Italian company that made the World Cup trophy - in pictures

While Italy failed to qualify for Qatar, it was an Italian firm that created the winner's trophy

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  Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup finals but when the famous trophy is lifted by the eventual winners, staff at a small Italian company called GDE Bertoni will be feeling proud. Reuters

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  The golden trophy was designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga on behalf of the firm in 1971. His son Giorgio says it was shaped to maximise its visual impact when held aloft by the winners. AFP

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  Silvio Gazzaniga, who died in 2016, poses in his lab in Milan in 1972. Reuters

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  Giorgio shows the first sketch of the Fifa World Cup trophy, created by his father as 'a way to express the love for the sport and the trust of the sport'. Reuters

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  Gazzaniga, the sculptor and designer, at work in 1971. In a month's time, his famous trophy will once again be held aloft, but by which nation? Reuters

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  Valentina Losa, chief executive and owner of GDE Bertoni, says of the trophy: ‘We are very proud of it.’ Reuters

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  Brass replicas of the Fifa World Cup made by GDE Bertoni in Paderno Dugnano, near Milan. Reuters

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  While the original 18-carat gold trophy belongs to Fifa and is rarely exhibited, the GDE Bertoni factory still produces brass gold-plated replicas every four years for the winning team. AFP

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  A worker refines the details on a brass replica of the World Cup. Reuters

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  The cup replaced the original Jules Rimet trophy after it was won outright when Brazil won their third in 1970, beating Italy in one of the most famous matches of all time. Reuters

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  The original 36.8cm-tall cup weighs more than 6kg, is hollow and is made of 75 per cent pure gold. Reuters

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  It depicts two stylised athletic figures holding up the globe. Reuters

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  France are the holders, after beating Croatia in the 2018 final in Russia. Reuters

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  Who will win this year's World Cup in Qatar? Join The National for daily coverage throughout the world's biggest football tournament, beginning on Sunday. Reuters

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