About Italy asked:


About Italy NewBlog collects several stories, news, suggestions, events related to Italy, and furthermore.

Actually, apart from this blog, About Italy is a non-profit sites’ network which is constantly growing. Among them you can find: About Florence, About MIlan, About Mugello, About Rome, About Siena, About Turin, and many others are coming.

The main purpose of this “NewsBlog” is the creation of a place where to collect all the news about Italy by taking them from the net, from real life and from this same sites’ network. You will find here photo and videos, events news, historic tips, and much more about Italy. The authors of this new experiment make us know that NewsBlog is still growing: “Be prepared for graphic and structural changes. We were so impatient to start this new project…during the time we are going to adjust things that don’t work”.

The authors, volunteers bloggers dislocated all around Italy, also invite users to send personal comments and suggestions, and assure that “they will be well appreciated and taken into consideration”.

You just have to follow the development of this project, to read, as they promised, always new and interesting posts!



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ff9_terra asked:


I’ve been hearing that a cheap way to sleep in Italy is in people’s homes. I am planning to go to the north of Italy ( venice, florence etc..) and heard from many people that it is cheap to sleep in people’s houses. how do i find these houses? do they post online or with an agency?

Kansieo.com

Gianni Truvianni asked:


An article about the world cup Italia 90 which brought Italy close to the final only to be denied by Argentina, Maradona, off sides and penalties.

It was the end of the spring of 1990 and I found myself living in Warsaw, Poland where at the time I was attending a Polish course at the University of Warsaw, where I just happened to meet Danilo Facca from Pordenone, Italy. Danilo and I would go on to become friends and it would also be Danilo who introduced me to Catallini, the director of the Italian Center of Culture in Warsaw at the time. This the place which during the world cup would be open to all Italians or descendents of which; like myself to come and see Italy’s matches on a large 56” screen, thanks to Catallini’s most generous invitation.

This was also a time in my life when my dedication to photography was at its highest as I was taking about a role of film a day and truly developing my talent even having my first ever photos published that very year. As for the other factors which composed my life at the time, I after having studied Polish for the last 6 months could claim with all honesty that I had become a fluent speaker of the language. This because I was able to speak my mind’s thoughts without having to think too much of the words and could just about understand everything I heard provided it did not extend in to overly complicated subjects.

However in this time in my life; photography was my greatest passion to the point that it put aside almost completely my love for football, to such extent that I had just about forgotten that the world cup was coming. I had even had to be reminded by Danilo that the Champions League final was coming up and I looking back now I think I would have missed it had it not been for my friend who told me on what day it was going to be played. This meaning more to me since AC Milan had reached the final that year and would be playing against Benfica from Portugal, who they ended up beating 1-0.

As for myself at the time, apart from being a dedicated photographer I had recently turned 23 and had hair that went down to my shoulders or at least getting their since I had not cut it since the year before. To be more specific the last time I had had my hair cut was on the day I entered the “US Navy”, only to be discharged two months after, secure in the knowledge that enlisting had been my biggest folly (though not my only) and that Navy stood for “never again volunteer yourself”. It was to a place called Great Lakes (a.k.a. Great Mistakes), Illinois that I was sent by the US Navy to discover this reality of life.

Regarding my romantic life at the time; this I must claim not to have had any specific interests though there were many ladies whom I was keeping in touch with and as a strange coincidence. It was while paying one of them a visit that I found out the World Cup had started. I was in the apartment of one of these female friends of mine at the time when she turned on the TV and much to my interest their was a football game on. It was Argentina vs. Cameroon, which at first I did not think it to be a match from the World Cup but a friendly till I noticed who was playing and realized that this was the first game of the tournament. I naturally had been aware that the World Cup was due to begin but I just had lost track of the exact day on which it would do so.

As for the game itself, I would catch it when it was close to the end with Cameron much to my surprise already in the lead by 1-0, thanks to goal scored by Oman-Biyik in the 67th minute of the game. A goal, I would see in the postgame highlights which showed how this man probably leapt over a meter of the ground to get to that ball. Being that I caught the game close to the end, at the 80 minute mark all I got to see was Argentina’s desperate struggle to get that equalizer which never came. I must confess to have been glad Argentina lost as I was hoping Italy would not have to face them in the world cup and was even hopeful they would get eliminated before the stage in which they would have to play Italy. Maradona; all things considered was still young at 29 and a man to be respected and feared; as he remained in great form. This being precisely what he proved that year by taking; Napoli to their second “Seria A” title in three years even if he did not repeat as top goal scorer for what would have been the third time in his career.

All it took was that first match, even if I did not get to see all of it to get me in the right frame of mind to see the rest of the World Cup as I like in the previous three World Cups that I had seen was once again pulling for Italy to win and this time I was expecting Italy to be crowned champion for the 4th time. Italy after all were playing at home and were always a favorite to win any tournament so why shouldn’t they win one at home. I however did not know many of the players on Italy’s national team at the time apart from Donadoni and the rest of their AC Milan players like Baresi and Maldini, not that I was even sure if they were on the national team.

It was on the evening of the opening game that I got a call from Danilo, asking me if I cared to see Italy’s first game against Austria at the offices of the Italian Institute of Culture in Warsaw. It being a place with all the amenities I have already mentioned plus the fact that many members of the Italian community in Warsaw would be present however invitation given the limited space would be restricted to Italians only or those of the same kind of blood. This meaning I could see the games there but I would have to speak Italian to prove my ancestral connection with Italy not that my last name of Truvianni would not have done the same.

I without thinking the matter twice accepted Danilo’s offer and agreed to meet him the following day, half an hour before the start of the game in a café near my apartment called “Studio M” which was at the time what could be hailed as the place to be. All those who had money or connections as well as tourists could be seen there, for this place with its paintings, Scotch Whisky (one of the few places in Warsaw that served it at the time), well dressed gentlemen and attractive ladies was like a magnet for just about any who could afford such a place. Regarding the attractive ladies, it was the owner of this place Ursula, whom I held a special relationship with as we had come to know each other well and would go on to do so even better.    

Danilo and I met at “Studio M” before the game, and I introduced him to this place and all those who I knew which seemed to make a favorable impression on him as he would become a regular. Danilo and I however did not have much in the way of time that day to enjoy Studio M, as we only had half an hour to get to the Italian Center of Culture (ICC) for Italy’s first match against Austria. As for the ICC, though it was not far from Studio M it did require a 10 minute walk which made us leave 15 minutes before as we did wish to get there on time not only to get a good seat but to introduce ourselves to our fellow Italians and hear “Fratelli D’ Italia” (Italy’s national anthem).

When we got to the place with not much time to spare before the game, I found it was not as crowed as I had expected it to be with perhaps only 10 or 12 being those present. Warsaw’s Italian community not being as large in those days as it is at present. Quick hellos were exchanged before the start of the match which Italy would be playing in Rome’s Olympic Stadium and as the game began there was something magical in it. I got that feeling all of a sudden of wanting Italy to win which I had not had since Italy played in the European Cup, held two years before in Germany. Italy had not had to qualify; meaning I did not get to see matches which served as a warm up and “international friendlies” not that I saw any of Italy’s are simply not the same to get one in what I would call the proper frame of mind for a world cup.

This one the other hand was a world cup match and I after four years was seeing my beloved “Squadra Azzuri” against Austria, a team Italy had beaten 1-0 in Argentina thanks to a 16 minute goal by Rossi. Rossi however was no longer playing and this was a new day but the same hope for me was rekindled by being in this place, surrounded by fellow Italian “tiffosi”, whose constant cheering lend a true flavor of a world cup to this otherwise simple room which served as a private theatre for the members of this organization.

Naturally with Italian fans around me; it did not take long for me to get in to the spirit of cheering Italy on and after a first half of so many near misses in which Italy should have been leading by at least two goals came the half time break with a score of 0-0. Half time was used to discuss what we all felt Italy should do with most agreeing that it was Italy’s forward Carnavali; who after squandering so many opportunities should be replaced. I for my part added to the conversation that Austria’s goalkeeper was the one who should take a lot of credit much like his predecessor Frederick Concilia from world cups past.

I in what would turn out to be a bizarre twist of fate told everybody that my mother was from Peru instead of the truth which was that she is from Argentina. This given that I; for some strange reason felt Italy would meet Argentina and did not want my fellow Italians to get the impression that my loyalties were not as they should be. Of course after the game and an Italian victory I could tell them the truth but by then it would not matter cause they would have seen for whom I was pulling for in a game between Italy and Argentina.

The second half came and so did more unused chances to score or at least till Carnavali was finally replaced by Schillaci. This substitution coming with a roar of approval from not only those present at the stadium but at the ICC. It in fact did not take Schillaci (whom I did not know of till that night), from Sicily long to break the dead lock as he did so upon his first touch of the ball. Schillaci’s goal came 78 minutes in to the game, sending all Italian football fans; myself including in to a frenzy of relieve with an enormous shout of “goal”. Schillaci’s goal coming on a header despite his being short. For us however the fans all that mattered was that Italy had scored and was winning 1-0. That first goal had put us, the fans of Italy in the spirit of the world cup, playing at home and about to win our first game and apart from that we had a team that could go all the way with players capable of doing so.

The game ended 1-0 in Italy’s favor and at that moment we felt sure that we could win it all or at least go on to the second round, as it would have been practically a national disgrace if Italy were to become the first hosting nation not to make it past the first round in a world cup. Specially one that made it possible for 16 teams out of 24 to go to the second round. It was incredible though how we; who had been strangers at the start of the game had become close and even friends. In a way all brought together by more then just a game but a common desire to see the same nation win; not only this match but the tournament as they had done 8 years before in Spain. This was the magic of Italian football and once again it had come back to me and I could see it in those around me and I was sure it was bound to stay or least till Italy won the world cup.

In the week that followed I naturally as a football (calcio in Italian) fan watched the other games even if Italy’s held the most importance to me. Germany made an impressive start seeming like tanks as they cut up Yugoslavia 4-1, while Uruguay managed a 0-0 draw with Spain in spite of having a penalty called in their favor which they obviously missed and controlling much of the game. Danilo and I also became better friends during this time often going to Studio M or other places, while we talked about things other then football. Danilo telling me he had played semi-pro basketball which was not surprising he did so as a guard with his physical height of 6’2”. I at that time did very little else apart from photography, though I vaguely recall telling Danilo that I might some day become a writer, given that I was thinking of a story I might some put down on paper or pen drive which I have yet to do.

After Austria, it was the United States and though I was born in New York, I was rooting for Italy all the way when they faced the USA. Again like the first match we all got together at the ICC to watch Italy defeat the United States 1-0 and assure itself of not making history for the wrong reason of being the first host nation not to go past the first round. The game against the USA was harder then originally imagined though we did win thanks to a beautiful goal by Giannini. This in an otherwise boring match that held few highlights apart from the goal and Italy missing their third penalty in as many world cups. The US, for all its qualities on defense only came close to scoring once but fortunately Ferri was standing on the line to prevent what would have been the tying goal.

Italy however despite boring the tifossi had won, its second game and had even assured its place in the second round as there was no way that it would not be going in to next round with four points, at least as the second place team. The question was could they win their group and qualify to the next round as the first place team? This of course they could do but they would have to beat Czechoslovakia, who had also won their first two games however with a better goal difference of 6-1 while Italy’s was 2-0.

By the third game, those of us who made it a point of going to ICC to see Italy play had become a sort of family, taking an interest in each other’s lives and what we were doing in Poland. I being the one who they referred to as the photographer; given my large Minolta  camera which accompanied me everywhere I went. As for our confidence it had taken a slight turn down in direction after barely beating the US who had lost 5-1 to Czechoslovakia but we still felt we could go all the way to the final and beyond. We putting pessimism aside had four points in two games and had not conceded a goal but we needed to win against Czechoslovakia; more for our moral then anything.

Italy in this match got of to a good start as Schillaci playing as a starter for the first time put us ahead at 8 minute mark. His goal was screamed by all as it really brought us back to the level we wanted to see from Italy specially after the near disgrace of drawing to the United States at home. Schillaci had taken over for Carnevali, who had not lived up to expectations and thanks to him we were now going to qualify for the next round in first place, that is if we could remain on top in the score.

Czechoslovakia in what was the remainder of that first half scored a goal of their own which did dampen moods at first but fortunately it was disallowed unjustly I might add for a non-existent offside. Actually I will never forget how even the Italian announcer felt the goal should have been allowed as did all of us but unfortunately for Czechoslovakia it was not to be. The second half saw, the man who would become one of my all time favorite players; Roberto Baggio, specially during USA 94 score one of the best goals of the tournament after 78 minutes had past which more or less clinched first place for Italy.

Italy had qualified to the next round; winning its first three matches and not even allowing one goal against. This was something to celebrate and we did so by going to a restaurant after the match. I was in a good time of life as well, my photography was going nicely with much of my work just starting to get published and I even noticed I enjoyed Warsaw during the summer. The nice ladies in their clothes of the season and the world cup was going beautifully too. I even remember speaking to a fellow student of mine from Brazil from the university in the days that followed our win over Czechoslovakia and him telling me how Brazil was not playing as well as he would like; while Italy was doing marvelously.

Regarding the first round, many things of interest happened for instance the Netherlands and Ireland finished in a tie for second place with the exact goal difference and head to head their encounter had finished in a 1-1 draw, something which today would be a problem but then was not given that third place could also qualify. In this case the Netherlands was given third place and had to play Germany, while Ireland against Romania. Uruguay had qualified by the skin of their teeth with a last minute goal against South Korea that gave them a 1-0 victory though some felt the game should have been ended by the referee before. Actually if it had not been for this almost last second goal then Uruguay would surely not have qualified as they would have had two points, same as Austria and Scotland but would have missed out because both these countries had a better goal ratio at 2-3 while Uruguay would have been at 1-3. Germany had looked good but against Colombia; who also got a lost minute goal had been brought down a level or two perhaps because they were already qualified but still Colombia did play them well in a 1-1 draw.

To me however none of that mattered as I along with the rest of the “tifossi” were feeling we could go all the way and win and that last game had only confirmed it after which we even started feeling like champions. As for me I had one of the scariest moments of my life when one day before our match against Uruguay, I woke up with what unquestionable was the biggest pain in my life. I had ******** blood the night before but did not pay it much attention at the time but the next morning the pain was like a knife in me, which prompted me to call for an ambulance. I must say I had no idea what it was fearing I had something wrong with either my appendix or perhaps worse as the pain was excruciating. I had never thought about death but at that moment I felt close to it. It however turned out to be a simple kidney stone which the doctor in English explained to me was as painful for a man as it was for a woman to deliver a child. It in a way it was strange because my sister in Rome; who had had her children through suzerain had not experienced the pains of a normal birth but she however had been through the one of a kidney stone which she got in Ecuador. The doctor also told me it was really nothing but would prefer to keep me in the hospital one night for observation, which is precisely what happened apart for me getting a bill for 100 hundred dollars the following morning.

In the hospital I saw Germany vs. the Netherlands thanks to a TV set a patient had in another room. This a match which ended in a 2-1 victory for Germany in a game that will be mostly remembered for the way Rijkaard (Netherlands) and Voller (Germany) were both sent off. The first of these two players being shown the red card for clearly spitting at Rudi Voller for no apparent reason while it was never clear why Voller himself received his marching orders.

By the time the night game came that day I had accepted the idea that I would have to spend the night in the hospital and got cozy next to the TV for the South American classic that was sure to be Brazil vs. Argentina in Turin, which I would later find out was attended by my daughter’s future godfather whom I did not even know at the time. Brazil attacked, while Maradona was kept under extremely tight marking, though this came mostly assisted by vicious fouls just when he was about to get something going for his team. 

Brazil came close on many occasions but like they say that only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades which this was not and as time wore on 0-0 was still the score, until Maradona put back the fear of him in all with another play that like his famous goal of four years earlier will live forever. Maradona got the ball in midfield and passed four players, almost one after the other and then with the last of these pulling him down by his jersey he managed to get off the perfect pass with his right foot to Caniggia, who put Argentina in front 1-0 and in to the next round.

The next day I got out of the hospital, relieved to be ok and going back to the place where we all had become one voice behind Italy and to celebrate that I was not going to die or at least not then. It was in Studio M that I had me a shot of Johnnie Walker red though in all honesty I would have preferred Glenfidich and would have had ordered it if they had had it but sometimes one must make do.

Danilo and I met at Studio M as had come to be our custom before matches and I told him much to his near shock how I had spent the night in the hospital but had gotten out just in time for the match. Uruguay had always been difficult for Italy as their style is one of physical play. The last time Italy and Uruguay had played in a world cup had been 20 years earlier in 1970. This in a game that not only failed to produce a goal in a 0-0 draw but to even render any moments of interest in a match that was one of the most boring ever seen in a world cup or any where else for that matter.

Once at the ICC with us arriving almost late we took our seats for what would be a close first half that would end 0-0. by then it was clear that this World Cup was one that would not see any big victories as most games would be limited to scores of 1-0 or 2-1; as was the case with most games as even a match between Argentina and Brazil had only produced one goal. Tense however we were as we waited for the second half with me telling all about my plight of the previous day, which brought some relief to all those who had come to know me that I apparently had come through it ok. The second half started and again it would be Schillaci at 65 minute mark with a great shot from outside the box to bring joy and shouts of goal in to the ICC one more time. Another goal would be coming for Italy that day as Serena also managed to get on the score board twenty minutes after Schillaci and give Italy its pass in to the quarterfinals.

The quarterfinals came and so did Ireland; a team with a stubborn defense which we knew could upset us as they did four years later in USA 94 but that was for another time. Again like in the previous match it was Schillaci who only needed 38 minutes to put us ahead for good when he struck the back of the net. Italy would go on to win that match 1-0 though Schillaci came close to scoring another from a free kick only to have his shot bounce off the post and the line, in an effort that would have been a great goal had it gone in. Ireland however one must say left with their dignity as they only lost by one goal against Italy, who all things considered did have the home field advantage.

The semifinal came and who else but Argentina and Maradona should be waiting for Italy. I remembered watching Argentina’s game against Yugoslavia hoping that Argentina would loose and how close they came to being eliminated. Yugoslavia dominated for most of the game despite having one of its players sent of early and yet 0-0 would be the way it would end, after regulation and overtime. Maradona played that day perhaps one of the least inspired games I had ever seen from him and just as it looked as if Argentina were out after he and Troglio missed their penalty kicks, salvation came from their goalkeeper. Goycochea saved 3 penalties during that shoot out that put Argentina in to the semifinal against Italy.

I remember thinking how Italy had never lost to Argentina in a world cup but to certain extent Italy had never really beaten them either, in a sense that they had eliminated them. For instance their first game against each other in a world cup was in 74 in the first round. This a game that ended in a draw which Argentina benefited more from as they and not Italy qualified along with Poland to next round. So in a sense Argentina by holding Italy to a draw had really won. The next match between Italy and Argentina came in Argentina 78 and Italy did win 1-0 but little did it matter for both teams qualified to the next round. Argentina actually winning the world championship that year while Italy came in fourth. The next match came in Spain 82 and Italy repeated as winners but then again Argentina would have been eliminated just the same. This because Argentina lost their next match to Brazil and Italy could have even gone through to the semifinals, even if they had drawn against Argentina as they went on to defeat Brazil. The next world cup came; Mexico 86 and again Italy was made to face Argentina in the first round and did so in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw which was of little consequence as both teams went through just the same. Now it was going to be Italy against Argentina in Italia 90 for what would be their fifth encounter in as many world cups in a row. This I am sure is a record, for the amount of times two teams meet each other in consecutive world cups. Regarding however the record for the two teams that have faced each other the most times in world cup history, it is held by surprisingly Brazil and Sweden. This due to the fact that they have faced each other six times; with Sweden not even able to win one.

I as always wanted Italy to win but was still afraid to tell those around me that my mother was from Argentina as perhaps they would get upset specially if it should happen that Argentina would go on to victory and to the final. I decided to wait till the end and after Italy had won to let the cat out of the bag. The game was due to be played in Naples’s “Stadio San Paolo” in what for the last few years had been the home of Diego Armando Maradona and the truth was that Napoli’s fans had come to idolize the man. He had lead them; who had never won anything to a EUFA cup victory along with two national titles. Maradona was practically a god in Napoli at the time (and still is) but on this occasion he would be playing against Italy, which made it hard for many a fan to know where his or her loyalties lay during the game. I for my part was fearful something would happen but I did not know why. Italy had yet to yield a goal in the world cup while Argentina had struggled to get to the semifinal, only scoring four goals on their way while Italy, usually not known for as much offense had scored seven times. Argentina had even lost to Cameron yet I was worried though this I mentioned not to those who had become my friends at the ICC.

The game started with tensions at an extremely high pitch but it all exploded when again who else but Schillaci found the back of the Argentine net to give Italy a 1-0 lead after only 17 minutes of the first half. Italy was winning and such would the first half end; with all of us feeling in the final. Some of us, myself including were thinking of going to Italy to see the final live in Rome’s Olympic Stadium and with my brother-in-law being president of distribution at Columbia pictures in the city where the final was due to be, it was not unreasonable for me to think that I might get my hands on such tickets. We started saying how not if but when Italy plays the final the place will be full of people, as all would come even those who had only been to Italy once in their life or spoke as many as one word in Italian like Pizza or whatever. Baggio was not on the field but we were winning by one goal which with Zenga as our goalkeeper would be more then enough as he was close to breaking the record for most minutes without yielding a goal.

The second half started with Italy dominating and Argentina being pinned back and just when it appeared we might put it away with a second goal, Argentina scored one of their own at the 67 minute mark to level matters at 1 a piece. Claudio Caniggia had been the culprit for Argentina! An Argentine of Italian descent and the same player who had scored Argentina’s winning goal against Brazil had just complicated everything. As for Italy their goalkeeper; Zenga had been beaten for the first time in the world cup and it could not have come at a more inopportune moment for Italy, who know found themselves in a tight game with Argentina, which surely would be decided by the next goal.

Argentina had good moments in the second half, notably a run by Maradona in to a tightly packed Italian box after which he passed of to a player who could have done better with his shot. Italy however for the most part with the pressure of playing at home and in a world cup had to go forward, while Argentina apparently waited for the penalties which would undoubtedly decide all should the game end in a draw.

Italy after Argentina’s equalizer finally much to the delight of its fans brought in Baggio in place of the ineffective Vialli, who had not really shown much during the game. Baggio did bring energy and ideas to Italy’s offense however the game was still very hotly contested, in a game were marking on both sides was strict. Tense was the atmosphere in the ICC as we lived every moment of the game, hoping that every one of Italy’s shots on goal might be a goal while doing the opposite for Argentina’s. In a way it was the first time Italy had had any real drama in that world cup as before they had been winning every game at that point of the match but now the time had gone over the 85 minute and still 1-1. Schillaci who had been a very effective goal scorer for Italy up and till that moment; netting goals in 5 out of their 6 games including this one against Argentina suddenly started to falling with tremendous ease and frequency in to the Argentine off sides trap. In the course of the evening, Schillaci would be caught on off sides as many as 9 times by the Argentine defense, making it seem that his anxiety to score, which even displayed in his eyes after doing so was being used against him.

The game ended at 1-1, making overtime a must, though perhaps Italy held an advantage in conditioning given that Argentina was playing their second overtime in as many games while Italy had yet to be taken past the regular 90 minutes. At this point nothing seemed certain for Italy but loosing was still something most did not count on, tensions nervous were high as the first period of overtime started. It would not be sudden death in the form of a golden goal or even a silver one, which meant the team that was winning by the end of the first half of overtime would be declared the winner but 30 minutes of football regardless of what happened. How one suffers in such moments only those who have seen their teams play know for sure or those who have been of the field naturally as any mistake could mean being out and having to wait four more years to hopefully be in the same place but for Italy playing at home; the pressure was on to please their fans.

Overtime started and all back to their seats and though Italy was clearly on offense by now with Argentina now concentrating on defending what they had, the game was still difficult as Italian attack after attack was met with solid defense from not only the Argentine defense but their solid goalkeeper, Goycochea. This a player (like Schillaci) who had not even been a starter for his team at the start of the tournament but had been brought in when Pumpido (Argentina’s world cup winning goalkeeper from Mexico 86) broke his leg.

A small break came for Italy when 13 minutes in to the first half of overtime, Guisti was shown the red card for a brutal foul on Baggio, which even left him with blood on his forehead. It actually was a Polish linesman who pointed out to Quiniou (the French referee) what had taken place behind his back, much like was the case with Zidane’s head but on Matterasi in the 2006 final.

Overtime however ended the way it had began at one a piece with Caniggia being shown his second yellow card of the tournament for a blatant handball, which in fact should have been a red card as it was his second time deliberate handling the ball. The first time the referee had been convinced by Maradona to pardon his offense which would have made his second handball punishable by a red card. Argentina had managed a draw with Italy on their home field but many things did they do that today’s rule would not allow, like many deliberate back passes to their goalkeeper, last man fouling a player who was in the clear before he got in to the penalty box which today would be a red card apart from tackling from behind.

Before the penalties started I will never forget how some including my friend Danilo were thinking that Italy would loose, I for my part was unsure of victory though defeat was something that my mind had not yet considered. Penalties started once each team had chosen the five players who would take their kicks.

Italy went first and scored through Baresi, our solid captain and defender from AC Milan, brought us relieve as now it would be Argentina who would have to score to keep matters level. Serrizuela scored for Argentina much against our hopes that he would not to make it 1-1. Baggio’s turn came and he made no mistake setting the score at 2-1 for Italy. At that moment drama was at its heights as every kick could bring victory or defeat for either team.

Burruchaga came next and for a brief second it seemed his shot would be saved by Zenga; who managed to get a hand on the ball but could not keep it out or prevent Argentina from tying the score at two a piece. De Agostini was next and he too scored making it 3-2 for Italy.

Who would blink first was the question on the mind’s of all those who watched weather in the San Paolo or on TV through out the world. Olarticoechea scored again for Argentina to level the issue one more time at 3-3.

Donadoni came next, now we were in the crucial phase of the penalties, were it could end in almost a flash. Donadoni strikes the ball but Goycochea saves, no goal and our hearts dropped. I however felt victory was still possible, for had Argentina also not been trailing to Yugoslavia in penalties only to have Goycochea save two penalties, to pull it out of the bag for them and this I reminded my “paesanos” about. I also mentioned to keep up moral that Maradona; who was coming up next for Argentina had missed a penalty against Yugoslovia. This meaning he was great but not infallible and it after all could happen again. Maradona however put his penalty away and Argentina now lead 4-3 in penalties however it was still not over for if Serena scored and Zenga saved Argentina’s last penalty; Italy would be on level terms one more time. It was a glimmer of hope but it could be. I had seen it before and as Serena stepped up to take Italy’s penalty; I got a sensation of how it might be if we pulled through. For in a way we deserved it for trying so hard during the game.

Serena’s weak shot however was easily saved by Goycochea and it was all over, hitting me like a bucket of cold water. Italy had lost, there would be no fourth title, not even a fifth appearance in the final. It seemed at that moment that the world had come to an end, nobody around me dared to say anything as we watched Argentine players celebrate by throwing themselves, one upon the other but for me the image of Goycochea getting up and running with his fist held in the air after denying both Serena and Italy is one which I will never get out of my mind.

Despair was what we felt and though nobody cried, it was clear that we had been eliminated from the final though not the world cup as we would be playing for third place, which was little if any compensation for not winning the world cup. It was not that I had not seen Italy loose in a world cup before as I had in Argentina 78 or Mexico 86 but this time it was on our home turf, where we were expected to win and should have. Regrets were many after the game; as are always when one looses. If Baggio had played from the start or had come in before, if Schillaci had been more aware of not getting caught on offside so many times not that we agreed that he had been every time the judge had said he was and if only we had not missed those penalties.

All these questions raged in our minds as we went home after having lost but it changed nothing for we would not be playing in the final and nothing could alter that. Danilo even joked that next world cup or the one after the next should be held in San Marino, and that way for Italy it would be like playing at home once again. I for my part, on a personal note given that Argentina had won or Italy had lost depending on the point of view decided not to tell anybody where my mother was really from as I might be unwelcome.

Italy had won the world cup playing at home in 1934, why couldn’t it have been again was all I wanted to know and as I went to sleep that night tired and exhausted all I kept thinking of was how it would not be Italy to win two out of three world cups but it might be Argentina to win three out of four as Brazil had once done. The next day came and I had gotten over having lost as such is life and football, I naturally knew Italy would not take long in getting back to where they had been in this world cup even if it would be a struggle to do so.

Next day Danilo and I went to Studio M to watch England vs. Germany; to see who Argentina would meet in the final. As for myself I leaned toward England not because of any anti German or pro English sentiments for that matter but simply for the reasons that I did not want to see a repeat of the final that had been four years before. I also did not wish to see Germany win a third title which would have put them level with Italy on titles won. It was these reasons and the fact that it would have been interesting to see Argentina play England again that made me pull slightly in England’s direction over Germany’s. Specially after their last match in Mexico 86 which would be remembered for Argentina winning thanks to Maradona’s goals, one the infamous “hand of God” and the other what some were already arguing was one of the greatest goals ever scored.

The game between England and Germany was a lot of fun to watch as I other then having a slight preference for England did not really care who won. Both teams attacked and chances came at both ends with England slightly having an advantage in time position of the ball. I particularly remember a shot from midfield by an English player that hit the post but would not have counted had it gone in; given an already signaled offside by the referee. Despite all the offense in the first half it would end at 0-0.

It was at the 15 minute mark of the second half that the dead lock was broken in Germany’s favor when a free kick by Andreas Brehme deflected off an English player by the name of Paul Parker over Peter Shilton and in to the back of net. Germany was leading 1-0 but England were not finished as Gary Lineker would prove by scoring his fourth goal of the tournament and the one that would bring back the dead lock which would last through out the rest of the game. After the 90 minutes were up I remember thinking how England and Germany had played three previous world cup matches, all of which (this one included) ended in a draw after regulation time, out of which two had required overtime like this one would.

Overtime however ended in a 1-1 draw and after 120 minutes of play that saw Paul Gascoigne get a yellow card that sent him to tears as he like Caniggia would not be playing the final even if England were to go through. In fact both teams came ever so close in overtime; even taking turns in hitting the post but penalties it would be like it had been in the first semifinal.

England and Germany scored their first three shots with Shilton coming close on all three German penalties but it would be Pierce who missed first for England. Pierce, the man who had never missed a penalty had his shot saved by Illgner, the German goalkeeper who had never stopped a penalty before. Germany, at moment went for the kill. Thon stepped up to the penalty spot and scored and by doing so put all the pressure on England’ next kicker to score for if he did not it would be all over. Waddle, England’s next penalty kicker came and missed by sending his shot over the bar and Germany in to the finals. Germany vs. Argentina it would be one more time, a repeat of the previous final. This also making Germany and Argentina, the first two teams who would play each other in the final for a second time, Italy and Brazil would become the second two teams to do likewise in USA 94.  

Saturday arrived, the day on which Italy would play England for third place and what I remember is that not knowing weather or not the ICC would be open for us to watch the game. Danilo and I had not agreed to meet before the game and no one had said anything regarding this rather insignificant match as what reward is there in third place over fourth place but regardless of which I wanted to watch it. I not having a color TV at home went to a hotel lobby to watch the game; where I met two German fans, who simply flaunted to me how it would be them who were going to be playing the final, not Italy. It was their turn, after all we had beaten them in the final in 82, so now it was them who stood to take it all.

The first half was interesting, despite ending with a blank score board as both teams played to win and entertain not really thinking so much of the defensive play that had marred many of the games. I however when the first half ended got the idea that perhaps I was doing a disfavor to my fellow Italians by not watching the game with them so I took a taxi to the ICC, which to my slight surprise was open with all those who had been their from the start, including Danilo.

I was welcome as I entered the place, a few minutes after the second half had started as nobody seemed to mind my coming late though I was slightly embarrassed that I had not been their since the start. The mood was relaxed; almost like a friendly and I even started thinking about a discussion Danilo and I had had weather it was better to win the match for third place or loose in the final with me arguing that the first choice was preferable over the second. Danilo however said he opted for the second one if given a choice but depending on how one lost in the final.

Baggio scored after 70 minutes of play taking advantage of a clear Shilton error and putting Italy ahead though not for good as Plat would equalize 11 minutes later with a spectacular header beating Zenga for the second time in the world cup. Actually what I most remember most about this goal was Marcello, a friend of Danilo applauding after the ball had gone in the net and many thinking at the time it had been me, who had cheered a goal by our adversary. Marcello however would tell all that the clapping had come from his hands.

It however only took Italy five minutes to regain the lead as England gave away a penalty which like the one in the final was not all that clear but in all cases Italy did not mind getting a favorable decision. Schillaci given his many goals was given the task of not only putting Italy in the lead but of scoring his 6th of the tournament which would give him one more then Czechoslovakia’s Skuhravy as well make him top goal scorer of Italia 90. Schillaci much to his credit did not disappoint on his penalty kick which put the score at 2-1 for Italy and thus it would end. Italy would even go on to score another goal which I might add was wrongly disallowed for offside but this was of little or no consequence for the result was the same, third place for us, fourth for England.

The final was left but that is another story for Italy’s participation in Italia 90 was over. Third place was not bad but it was not what we were hoping for as it was not complete victory, making me realize what my father had said was true. It being that when football’s top four, who can be listed as Italy, Argentina, Brazil and Germany play a tournament they do so to win and nothing else but the title will do, for anything less is considered failure. For other teams third place is considered an achievement. This for instance being the case of Poland, who celebrated their third place in Germany 74 for many years to follow and still to this day consider it a great moment for their football but then again they are not Italy, nor do they have the same tradition in the sport we call “calcio”.

After the game, much to my delight; all of us who had supported Italy through out their campaign at ICC were asked by Catallini himself to come to his house the following day to watch the final in an invitation that included lunch. This being something I would look forward to as Catallini for all his bluntness was not a man without charm.

Italy looking back on Italia 90 was not without its achievements which came in the form of coming in third place, Schillaci being top goal scorer and nominated FIFA’s best player of the tournament, Zenga setting a record for most minutes without a goal allowed that included five perfect games, Italy also with only two goals allowed; set a record for the least goals allowed in a world cup by a team which had played 7 games. This last record being one that Italy would tie in the 2006 World Cup. All of which made defeat slightly less bitter but still champions we were not. As a footnote though I did not hear about it at the time, “The Three Tenors” performed their first concert in Rome on the very day Italy beat England for third place. 



Italy

Gianni Truvianni asked:


Italy had won by beating Norway 1-0, after which I was pretty much sure they had qualified to the next round, specially since even third place teams could go through or at least 4 out of the top 6 could do so. Of course, there was always the possibility they could loose to Mexico but I doubted this was going to happen, as I figured if worse came to worse they would tie and go in as a third place team. This incidentally being the place they held in the group after their second game.

Time had come to sit back and enjoy the world cup and by this I do not only mean the games on TV but the world cup atmosphere that had been created by this tournament along with all those fans from literally all over the world who had come to see it. This plus the fact that summer had just started in the United States, gave a sensation of real world cup excitement, added to that already international scene New York was so famous for. In a way; every group of fans, thanks to the way they celebrated brought their country over to America.

I; in the days that followed Italy’s victory over Norway decided to explore the city of New York, feeling almost like a tourist in my home town, seeing all those fans from all those countries that had qualified and some from countries that had not but were there just to enjoy the games. There was the Norwegian and Swedish fans with their Viking hats that included horns on the sides, reminding me of characters from Wagner’s “The Ring”, Brazilian fans with their yellow and green and samba music, Argentineans always with their big drums, Germans, Mexicans, and many others.

All of which making this world cup a big success; who many so called “experts” had said would not be given that the United States did not have a tradition of football, and many other reasons. In all this however one thing had been overlooked and that was that many Americans would be cheering on the country of their parents or in some cases grandparents, as was mine with Italy, which was precisely what happened to keep huge stadiums packed. As a matter of fact; USA 94 set the record for the largest attendance at a world cup and this despite not having either England or France qualify. This also a record which still holds out despite three world cups having been played since; all of which had 64 games as opposed to “USA 94”, in which only 52 were played.

I basically went around to soak up not only the sun during the time that followed Italy’s game against Norway but to meet some of the fans from other countries; as well as look for a bar in which I would be watching Italy’s games. After all, I wanted to see Italy play in company of fellow Italians and did not have the means to follow them all over the country, which incidentally was the biggest (and will be till either China, or Canada or Russia host the event) to ever host a world cup with also the greatest distances between venues. As one could imagine would be the case, when matches were being played in cities as far apart from each other as Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Orlando, and Chicago.

Italy was going to be playing its next match in Boston; which was not far but I was afraid I would not be able to get a ticket. This given the many Mexican fans, who were bound to be buying them up, so I just figured to look for a nice Italian bar with a large TV set. I considered many neighborhoods but eventually decided that the best would be “Little Italy” in downtown Manhattan. After all; what better location to watch “La nazionale di calcio” then the place where Don Vito Corleone, grew up and even made his bones in.

It was after looking over many places that I came to settle on “Bar Napoli”; a nice place on Mulberry street, right on the corner, though I do not remember the name of the other street. Little Italy, also the place where I happen to run in to three very nice ladies, whom I mistook for Italian. This given the colors; green, white and red which they had on them and the fact that one of them was a natural blonde. It actually turned out that these three young women, were from Mexico; which also has the same colors on their flag but despite this we did engage in a nice drink and conversation at the Bar Napoli, which included me taking photographs of them with their flag and having one taken of the four of us together. They naturally telling me that they felt Mexico would beat Italy, while I wished them and Mexico the best of luck against any team they should meet, save Italy. In a way it was strange because I had never met any Mexicans before and suddenly; just a few days before Italy’s game against them, it seemed that they were everywhere, even more then the Irish. I also remember telling one, who was married to a Polish female friend of mine that Italy was going to win 2-0, while he told me that I was simply dreaming.

The mood was a great one, in the city and one which I knew would probably never come back or at least not in my lifetime; so I tried as hard as I could to get as much of it as possible and that is precisely what I did. Seeing games mostly in bars, even if I did not really care who won or loss. As it was the need to see people celebrate and enjoy their good times even if mine were only when Italy played.

The day of the match against Mexico arrived and I felt sure Italy would qualify, which led to me being relaxed as I waited in a crowded Bar Napoli for the game to begin. The atmosphere however was tense in this rather small place, and as I sat on a chair drinking ice coffee, I started up a conversation with a fellow Italian supporter or at least judging by the Italian shirt he wore. John was his name and like me he was Italian American but contrary to me he could not speak as many as three words of Italian but this mattered not; for he and his dark skinned lady friend from Costa Rica were behind Italy all the way. In fact John’s girlfriend, Gabriela (as I remember) had been born in Costa Rica but had lived most of her life in the states which meant she like John also did not speak the language of her ancestors which in her case was Spanish. This I found out as I tried to speak to her in Spanish, who like John with Italian recognized what I was speaking but could not understand.

I for my part on that day wore my AC Milan, shirt wanting to show not only support for Italy but that I was a Milanista. As for the game; it was a hotly contested one, which I followed but secure that Italy would pull through which in fact was what happened as the score ended in a 1-1 draw. Italy’s goal being scored by Massaro; an AC Milan player at the 48 minute mark; while Mexico’s came via Bernal 9 minutes later. Italy drew and finished with 4 points but this strangely enough did not mean automatic qualification; from a group that ended unlike none other ever had or ever has.

All four teams finished with four points a piece and strangely enough even with the same goal difference, so it would be up to who had scored the most goals to decide matters. Mexico came in first place in the group and automatically qualified for the next round as they had scored 3 goals, which put them a head of Ireland and Italy who had only scored 2 goals, while Norway only 1. Mexico; for its part was going past the first round, for the first time in a tournament which they were not hosting.

Italy and Ireland were left tied with 4 points as well as 2 goals a piece but it was Ireland who came in second given they had beaten us in our head to head game. Italy however managed to come in third despite being equal with Norway on points and goal difference, simply because we had scored two goals and had beaten Norway in our head to head encounter. Italy was third in the group but not yet qualified to the next round, true they had a win and a draw and Uruguay in 86 had done it on the strength of two draws but this was another world cup. Italy could still be eliminated but only if Cameroon beat Russia by three goals or more. All of which would have given Cameroon four points with 5 goals for vs. 5 goals against and would have toped, Italy’s 2-2 goal difference.

The chance was there, an ever small one but it was there; for Italy to be ousted from a world cup in the first round. Something which had not happened since Germany 74. Russia after all had lost their first two games and had very little to play for other then pride, though they had under the same circumstance four years earlier managed to rout Cameroon by 4-0. Would they do it again or at least not loose by three goals, was the question on the mind of all Italian fans but this did become academic once Russia destroyed Cameroon by 6-1. In a game that set two records. The first one by Russia’s Salenko, who scored five goals and the second one by Roger Milla, who at 42; became the oldest player ever to score a goal in world cup history. As a footnote, I would like to add that both these records still stand.

It had been an interesting game at Bar Napoli and I had met two very nice people by the names of John and Gabriela, along with many others whom I would see again and form bounds with or at least till the end of the world cup. One of them, an Italian American wrongly believing that Roberto and Dino Baggio, were brothers, which I explained to him was not the case. It was however after the game that I was in for a real threat, as there was a camera man and a female reporter present from Italy’s RAI TV, who were looking for an Italian supporter whose language skills went beyond the one or two words or expressions which could not really be broadcast on TV. I just happened to be at the right place and at the right time and managed to get interviewed on TV by RAI, hopefully to be seen by my sister and other relatives back in Italy. 

My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society” which is now available on Amazon.



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If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy Tour. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an ideal vacation spot. You’ve planned for weeks and months and now your dream to travel Italy is almost a reality. Here are a few helpful pointers to help make your adventures go more smoothly.

Trip to Italy, a real treasure chest of culture and heritage - with Italy food, Italy wine, Italy culture and Italy history, is always on the top of a European tour list. A tour to Italy would not be complete without going to Florence. This city is in the heart of Tuscany and is sometimes considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. It is a place that is famous for its abundance of fine art and architecture and in the modern day, its fashion and leather goods.

In general the weather is very hot and steaming in the dead of the summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be sure to have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential. Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland cities, so you may want to consider bringing an umbrella. The most romantic wedding traditions from around the word: Italy, Spain & Egypt

If you are feeling a little tired out after a few days of sightseeing in Florence, a Florence hills tour can be a great way to relax and wind down. With a great ambience and an aura of solitude the hills of Florence are very popular and ideal for those who wish to take a break from the city.

If you only have a few hours to spare and don’t want to venture too far from Florence, then a trip to Italy the town of Fiesole is highly recommended. Set amongst the hills, just 5 miles from Florence, Fiesole makes a pleasant half-day trip from Florence and provides a wonderful view of the city. You can get there by bus from the centre of Florence in around 20 minutes.

If you have a full day to spare there are numerous tour companies that can organise day Italy trips by bus, walking tours or biking trips. On the other hand you can hire a car and use a map to discover the delight of the Tuscan countryside for yourself.

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Scott Blyth asked:


Buying property in Italy is a commonly discussed subject among the European investors, who rightly have substantial reasons to consider the location for overseas property investment purposes. Italy is a traditionally unique flavour, carefully preserved in a modernized shell. The land on one hand offers unmatched simplicity and the colours of culture and at the same time presents the crispest shades of development and definite growth. This distinctive blend, in combination with various economical factors, easily places Italy in a slot where investors wouldn’t think much before making a positive move.

Why Italy?

Before deciding on a particular region when buying property in Italy, this section elaborates upon the various lucrative factors, which places Italy as the preferred investment destination, especially for British investors. In fact the popularity is such, surveys are indicating that people facing severe implications of the credit crunch are contemplating emigration to Italy, among various other options. 

Italy is a European Union (EU) member and in comparison to other members, the prices are pretty competitive. For UK investors, it is an easily accessible land, with regular flights. Moreover, the Italian government is quite responsive towards tourism and thus making every possible effort to enhance the investment convenience.  On the economical front, investors can make optimum profits by buying property in Italy, as there are no capital gain taxes on profit from property. In fact Italy is the land symbolizing property tax reforms, with substantial VAT discounts in store. As an added feature, if the investor could acquire the country’s citizenship, the purchase costs can be considerably reduced.

Where in Italy?

There are a host of tempting locations and options in Italy, where as an investor, it would be a pleasure to buy property in Italy. Apulia is one such area. It is a part of the southern region and famous for its wine and olive oil production. Apulia, among other investment options, has the famous white property known as Trulli. The property has several domed roofs and presents an enticing landscape. In addition to this, with two coastlines surrounding the region, there are many properties in close proximity to the sea for selection.    

Tuscany is also a region which will shoot up the list of tempting property for sale in Italy. However, buying property in Italy in this region is rather expensive. As an alternate, Calabria could be checked. Calabria is the destination for the curious, and has as yet to be completely discovered. It is largely a mountainous region, with the most tantalizing hidden secrets to confer. In addition to this, the west coast of Italy presents Sardinia, the second largest island in Mediterranean Sea. The obvious fantasies, which would surround an island, accomplish their job beautifully to wrap Sardinia in an attractive package. The region is a natural mystery, with climatic extremes in store. These and additional aspects help Sardinia climb up the tourist and/or investors attractiveness ladder.

Another region, when buying property in Italy, that is popular with tourists and suitably apt for investment, is Le Marche. There are seaside resorts and beach properties for sale, and the region also brings along excellent cuisine and wine to complement. In addition the Italian investment basket also includes villas and mansions in the countryside.

The stated is just an encapsulation of what all is available under the ‘buying property in Italy’ heading, but there is definitely much more to find out. Therefore before finally deciding upon any particular location, do take a definite effort in exploring the enticing regional specialties and then decide on where you are going to buy property in Italy.



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Gianni Truvianni asked:


It was the summer of 1994 and the date was June 18, a day on which Italy would be playing its first world cup game against the Republic of Ireland. I for my part would be not only watching it but even present at “Giant’s Stadium” in the Meadowlands as I had gone through the trouble of getting a ticket, not only to see Italy take on Ireland but Norway in the next match as well. Regarding the game against Norway that had been a relatively easy task as interest had not been so high given there are not as many Norwegian Americans in New York or New Jersey as there are Irish Americans in these states. I however had pulled it off and would be sitting at “Giant’s Stadium” hopefully to watch Italy beat Ireland like they had done four years before in “Italia 90”.

By then I; it being four years after the tragedy had fully recovered from having lost to Argentina on penalties in 1990 and even from not having qualified to the European Nations Cup in 1992, which thanks to the by then already disintegrated Soviet Union, Italy did not play in. This would basically be Italy’s first competitive match in a major tournament since that night so long ago in Napoli, against Argentina. I mean after all who really counts a match for third place in any tournament as competitive.

Many had been the changes in Italy, now being coached by Arrigo Sacchi, the man who had made Milan invincible or practically and was expected to at least get to the final of USA 94. Roberto Baggio, had also become our star player after Italia 90, who surely would be starting every game; him even being considered by many at the time as arguably the greatest player of his generation, along with Brazil’s Romario and Argentina’s Batistuta. Italy, naturally also had other solid players, some of which were new to the team, such as Dino Baggio (no relation to Roberto), and Daniele Massaro, from AC Milan and Signori from Lazio.  

Of course as with every team that aspires to win a world cup, Italy also had those players who were returning from the previous tournament such as the more experienced Maldini and Baressi. Both these players coming from AC Milan, who had won that year’s edition of the European Cup; presently known as the Champions League. As for notable absence, their really were not any, as most were healthy or least enough to start though some around the world wondered why Italy’s top goal scorer from the last world cup; Schillaci would not be playing but this was basically due to his poor form in the years preceding the world cup. All things considered there was great reason for Italy’s many fans to think their team could do in USA 94 what they had not managed to do in Italia 90 and that being to win the world cup.  

In all this however there were other factors, and one of them being that Italy’s team was overly dependent on Roberto Baggio and the form he showed on any particular day; basically what it boiled down to was Italy was as good or as bad as Roberto Baggio was. Another thing to consider was that though Italy had qualified to the world cup without too many difficulties, they had not really been overly impressive coming in second to Switzerland in their group.

This a team, whom they barely managed a 2-2 draw against while playing at home and had even lost to by 1-0 on their return match. I even recall one particular qualifying match in which Italy was forced to play under a practical blizzard of snow in Scotland that ended in 0-0. Roberto Baggio, having to be literally carried of the field after a collision with a Scottish player, both of whom were going for the same ball which was coming down. Qualifying had definitely not been all that easy however Baggio and company had prevailed and even managed a win in their last qualifying match against Portugal at home, when a draw would have sufficed to get them to USA 94.

I, at the time (as far as my life went) no longer found myself working in John Hancock’s mutual fund department; having been laid off a couple of weeks earlier but not before having made a few bets with some of the Irish American at work, who naturally put their money on Ireland’s greens while I did so on Italy’s azzurri. I, however in looking back regarding my job would have in all honesty missed several days at work, in what would have been a first for me (who had not even taken one day off) in over a year at John Hancock, for as important as work is; this is football and a world cup at that, so it comes first. I imagine that to a lot of Americans, who do not descend from football playing countries; an attitude such as mine might seem strange, if not irresponsible but that is the way many all over the world feel about football. Some even go to the extreme of giving up their jobs and spending all their savings on going to the games to cheer their team to victory. 

As for Ireland; they were definitely not a bad team, solid on defense with big strong players capable of shooting the ball with both legs, and not unskilled either. Ireland, also however did not have many good players on the bench and were limited in their attacking game to mostly plays that went down the flanks in order to set up the air ball in the box, for a header or a lucky bounce. These sometimes coming from their goalkeepers long distance kicks as had been the case with their tying goal against the Netherlands in Italia 90.

I, in all that concerned this most special day for me; will never forget the pride I took when putting on the blue shirt of the Italian national football team, in order to show my support for “La Squadra Azzurra”. I being a fan also had purchased a small Italian flag in the part of Manhattan known as “Little Italy”, where I would go on to watch the final. I was even slightly worried that I might end up being surrounded by a group of Irish fans; who probably would not take loosing too kindly. All of which made me hopeful of being in an Italian section but this I would have little control over.

As for the rest of the world cup, up and till that moment, only two games had been played with the first game ending with a surprisingly difficult 1-0 victory for Germany over Bolivia, while the second one held no unique attraction, other then it was the first world cup game ever to be played in an indoor stadium. This second game having been played the very day of the one I was getting ready to go to and having ended in a 1-1 draw between the USA and Switzerland, who in qualifying had given Italy everything it could handle.

In my excitement I also started thinking, how it was going to be the first game, I had ever seen live between two national teams which not only was not a friendly but a world cup match at that. I had never even seen as much as a qualifying match of any kind, not even to the European cup, so to me it was a huge deal to be able to see the nation of my forefathers in action against Ireland. This taking on an additional importance in New York City, given that many are either of Irish or Italian descent and are not always friendly toward each other.

I basically got in the spirit of the game that moment I bought my ticket however as for actually having it all around me; this came when I got to the Port Authority Bus terminal and saw all the flags, half of which were Irish and the other Italian. I, naturally looked to be near those who were Italian, as this was a day to be among one’s contingents. The mood was definitely right for an international football game and as I looked around I could also see fans with painted faces, the Irish applying their national colors orange, green and white while Italians red, white and green.

Once at Port Authority I had no problems in catching a bus to Giant’s Stadium, where the game would be played. As for the bus I took I would say it was evenly divided among both Italian and Irish supporters, with it being abundantly clear who was for which team based on the colors on the flags they carried. In all this however it was odd to see that most of the fans weather for Ireland or Italy were actually Americans descendent from one or the other, with most of the Italian fans not even speaking Italian. Something I noticed when I tried speaking to a few in Italian who at least recognized what language it was even if they could not understand or much less reply.

In all this I must say much to the credit of the organizers of this tournament, there was no violence of any kind from either side though the occasional racial or ethnic slur could be heard from both sides with Italians refereeing to the Irish as “micks”. This given that many Irish have the letters Mc in their last name, while the Irish responded in not so kind be calling Italians “w.o.p.s” These three letters standing for “with out papers”, as many Italians first arrived to America illegally and like the expression says without papers. However these “verbal taunts” for the most part were limited and did not, or at least that I saw degenerate in to physical violence.

After, a short bus ride, we that is I and my fellow Italian supporters entered Giant’s Stadium and by then the electricity was everywhere, today we would see who would have bragging rights in the city of New York. Would it be the Irish or Italians? This we would soon find out and though Italy was slightly favorite, this did not connote automatic victory by any means.

The national anthems were played and in all sincerity I do not remember whose was played first but this did not matter; for both were sung with equal passion by both sides after which our two captains, Baresi for Italy and Bonner (goalkeeper) for Ireland exchanged flags and the game was on. I, naturally by then found myself in my seat and was fortunate, that I was in a part were Italians outnumbered Irish, which put me at ease that I should not have too much trouble. For instance as my brother-in-law did once; at a game in Spain 82 were he suffered a broken head, this despite his being from Madrid.

Italy started much as they had played up and till that point; with Baresi leading the team and organizing it from the back. All the while looking for Baggio’s offensive creativity to provide us with the same kind of magic he had displayed for Juventus, the previous year that earned him the title of FIFA player of the year. Ireland as always solid, in their mobile defense, and always a danger on the counter attack, in fact there game was typical of the one mostly practiced on the British Isles and with Jack Charlton (brother of Bobby Charlton) as their coach why should it come as a surprise.

Chances there were some for Italy though Ireland, had studied their game plan well and goals would not come easy, however one did relatively early.  It coming when Houghton lobbed our goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca at the 11 minute mark of the game to put Ireland a head 1-0. A perfect shot it was and in the net it went, after which Houghton did a roll over as all the Irish faithful celebrated and grew in confidence that they could beat the team that had not only eliminated them from the last world cup but had come in third place, along with having won three world titles.

The lines of battle were clearly drawn at that point, Italy would have to go forward while Ireland could simply wait in the midfield and take advantage of any loose ball to go on the counter and increase their lead. Baggio, was being well taken care of, as this was not only our greatest scoring threat but the key to our offense and Charlton knew it. The first half would end and still we were down 1-0 and the Irish grew more sure of themselves.

The second half came and by then Italy started to worry and go forward in attack with more desperation, though Ireland was still solid in their wall of defense, while chants from their supporters got louder as did their reason to believe this could be their day in the summer as Saint Patrick’s is theirs in the spring. It was actually half way through the second period that those of us who backed Italy could see that we might actually not only loose this game but not even end up getting on the score board. Chances we created but always the same result Bonner, and his defenders would not have anything put over on them or at least not on that day and in fact Ireland in the second half came closer to a second goal when they hit the post, then Italy did to a first.   

The final whistle came, and so did the celebrations of the Irish, and did they ever want us to know they had gotten the best off us on that day. I, however for my part felt they played a good game but for Italy all was not lost. As they could still qualify, specially since many teams had lost their first match to go on not only to the second round but the finals as was the case with Argentina in 90 or Germany in 82, of course both these teams ended up loosing in the final but that was another issue. Italy could still do it but this would mean almost having to beat Norway, for a loss would really limit our chances though not completely for with the system at the time; 16 out of 24 teams qualified. This making it possible for the best four third place teams to make it and after all Uruguay and Bulgaria had both gone through to the second round in 86, on the strength of two draws and a loss. Hopefully, however it would not come to this for Italy as they would beat Norway but that is another game for that one had ended with the Irish on top by 1-0.

Italy’s fans were depressed but as I explained to someone on the bus back to New York that all it was; was a set back and not the end, which those around me eventually did see it as. I even remember passing by a pizzeria near my apartment, me living in Brooklyn at the time in a part of the city reserved mostly for Polish immigrants (Green Point) and seeing how dejected, all my fellow Italians (some Italian American, some born in the old country) were though perhaps more so because we had lost to a team we were expected to beat.

Italy at that point was down but not out, but from then on we would have to get serious and play hard! Norway who had eliminated England was not going to be easy and this we all knew so bearing this in mind we would have to be at our best to beat them. Norway, who had qualified after a very long absence from the world cup scene. This however was for another day though same stadium.



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DirtySanchez asked:


Hitler promoted the idea of the ultimate aryan race and seems to speak of any other race as inferior. How was this not an issue with italy and later japans leaders with their alliance considering their populations full of different races?

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DirtySanchez asked:


I’m about to go to college and i’m planning on working in italy in a few years and I would like to know what kind of degree would be good for finding work in italy. I’ve visited italy and loved it. I’m also becoming fairly fluent in italian.
Keep in mind I don’t want to strive for anything too academically challenging. Just something useful.

Thanks.

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HeddyS asked:


We have an oppurtunity to go to Italy for 3 weeks in May, but it would mean our 6 year old being out of school for 3 weeks. Do you think it is a good idea or not? Of course we would take her classwork with us. Would she miss too much school and be behind?

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