In 1992 there wasn't any event called "Giocatore dell'Anno" [Player of the year] yet. But there was the Festival Italiano dei Giochi [Italian game Festival] during the years of its greatest success. Gradara city was invaded by players and gamers of any kind; this 10-days event demonstrated the italian games status, a real source of ideas.

And of course there have been many tournaments, games of any kind (go to the event). There wasn't a real general ranking of all the games, but some  "characters" were definitely standing out, and through acclamation they recieved several special prizes.

Giuseppe Baù has been nominated - by popular will - most eclectic italian player: here below he is playing The aMAZEing Labyrinth and in the other picture he is recieving the prize as winner of the New Puzzle Inventors competition.

The amazing couple Roberto Cestaro and Barbara Scolaro also have to be mentioned, since they both took part to all the tournaments.  Here below (the two  at the very left of the picture) they are rewarded by Sandro Sorbini, mayor of Gradara.

This was the background, and since 1993 the event has been istitutionalized,  remained a couple years inside the Italian game Festival, and after that it begun to stand on its own legs.
Until now there have been 12 editions.
Since 2001 the competions have been only "German games" with matches between 4 players  (as in the Intergame/European Boardgame Championship) and the Team ranking has been introduced.
The games have changed, the formulas has changed, but the desire to compete having fun has been always the same.

PAST EDITION WINNERS

Individual ranking

Team ranking (since 2001)