The 2012 edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy will see the Catalans face Italian club UC Sampdoria after the historic 1992 Champions League Final and the 1989 Cup Winners Cup Final. The Genoan side will feature in the Gamper Trophy for the 2nd time, the first time was in 1997. The friendly will be held on August 20, which is the 20th anniversary of FC Barcelona’s Champions League Final victory over Sampdoria at the Wembley Stadium.

In the 1992 Champions League Final in Wembley, a goal from Koeman in the 111th minute in overtime against Sampdoria resulted in the first Champions League trophy in FC Barcelona’s history. However, that wasn’t the only time the two teams faced each other in a final. The Catalan club also defeated the Genoa side in the 1989 Cup Winners Cup finals in the Berne Final with goals scored by Salinas and López Rekarte.

2012 will see Sampdoria participate in the Gamper Trophy for the second time. The first time was in 1997 and Barça won the match in a penalty shootout, after a two-all draw. That match saw Rivaldo make his debut in the Azulgrana stadium. The first encounter between the two sides was in 1960 in a friendly played in Genoa. Sampdoria won that match 4-0.

FC Barcelona pre-season schedule:

24/07/2012 : Imtech Stadium, Hamburg – Hamburg SV – Club Friendly

29/07/2012 : Grand Stade, Tanger – Moroccan All Stars – Club Friendly

31/07/2012: Montjuic, Barcelona – RCD Espanyol – Catalan Supercup

04/08/2012 : Parc des Princes, Paris – Paris Saint Germain – Club Friendly

08/08/2012 : Ullevi Stadium, Gooteburg – Manchester United – Club Friendly

20/08/2012 : Camp Nou, Barcelona – UC Sampdoria – Gamper Trophy

A possibility of another friendly game on the 11th of August has also been stated.

Source: fcbarcelona.com