Forzaaa Roma!!!

Last night I went to a Roma soccer game and it was one of the most fun and best cultural nights I have yet to have in Italy.  Soccer in Italy is more than just a game, it’s a passion.  I have come to realize that Italians like to treat everything with passion from food to wine to cars to fashion.  In my opinion its one of Italy’s best charms.  People are fiercely loyal to their local soccer club, and that loyalty is only put on hold when the Italian national team is playing.

The game was at the Olympic stadium in Rome.  I had to buy tickets prior and I had to present my passport when I received my ticket.  I do not really understand why because they did not even ask for photo id upon entry.  The entire night was quite an experience.  I arrived by bus 46 and as we got off we heard the chanting and singing, a good two blocks from the stadium. Already built the excitement..we arrived to the game about 45 minutes early.  Not until after we bought our tickets did we realize that each ticket had a distinct section on it.  We had originally thought that maybe we could all just get into the same section and they did not check the tickets.  However, when we got to the stadium there were different gates to get all around the stadium each with a different number.  My ticket was gate 22.  Luckily, my good friend Nico also had gate 22 so we were able to push through the crowds and sit together.  Roma playing was Munich, Germany.  We were favored to win and Roma is currently ranked second in the league.  There were a couple of different sections.  Right behind the goal on the Roma side was a huge standing room only section.  The fans were so spirited with many huge Roma flags waving in the air.  Everyone had on the colors.  I was one section over also very crowded but there were a couple of families and a little bit more laid back but still extremely spirited.  I believe that man in front of me will die of lung cancer in 5 years based on how many cigarettes he went through and blew into my face.  The Italian fans were some of the best fans they were  jumping up out of their seats, throwing their hands in the Italian way you picture in stereotypes, and the yelling, it was quite different than any game I've ever been to. Actually, if American games were more like that, it would be way more fun.  I believe the fans would've killed the referees if they were close enough. They booed the Munich players, they chanted sing-song chants at the Munich fans in the next section over, they yelled what I can only imagine were obscenities every time they lost the ball or missed a shot on goal. The fans were more entertaining than the soccer game, that's for sure! I even pretended to be Italian, including booing Inter player #26 because everyone else was, being mad at the refs, and yelling gibberish when we lost the ball. I can't even describe how neat it was to be there. 

So much talk about the fans I almost forgot to mention the score of the game.  The game started out a little rough for Roma, defiantly not playing their best.  About halfway through the first half Germany scored their first goal on a corner kick.  Ten minutes later another goal was scored by Germany (it was beautiful goal to give them props).  As you could imagine, the Roma fans at this point were NOT very happy.  We went into halftime losing 2-0.  The fans did not loose hope as Roma came out on the field ready and hot.  They quickly shot over 5 shots on target within the first 5 minutes.  It finally looked like they had their act together.  It was also cool to see all this action because Roma was now shooting on their home side.  About half way through the half Roma scored their first goal.  When that first goal went in the stadium went crazy!  I could feel the stadium shaking.  Families and friends hugging each other everywhere, dads lifting their kids in the air, sparklers going off, and if you were not best friends with the person standing next to you then you quickly became best friends.  The game starts back up again and 5 minutes later Roma scores another goal!  It was a really cool goal, and the person who scored actually shot the ball on the ground.  Then in the 87^th minute a goalie takes out a Roma soccer player in trying to punch a ball out.  The whistle blows and Roma receives a penalty kick.  We all watch and wait with anticipation.  The ball then hit the left inside goal post and bounces in.  The stadium goes insane.  Roma is now up 3-2.  Three minutes later the game ends and Roma wins after being down two goals at halftime.  Immediately all of the fans take of their towels that they have around their waist (they are like little small rectangles) and they have the Roma flag on them.  They hold them up in the air and in unison began singing the Roma Anthem.  The anthem is actually a very beautiful and prideful song.  Looking around, I saw many men with tears in their eyes from the win.  Needless to say, I walked out of the stadium proud to be living in Rome.

Tonight, I am heading to Dublin, Ireland for Thanksgiving break.  I have been planning Ireland for awhile now because it was one of my top places that I wanted to go.  I have done a great deal of research on what I want to do.  There is so much to be seen in Ireland I wish I had a month but I will take what I can get.  I am also going to be spending a couple of days in Galway.  According to the weather forecast it is supposed to snow two of the days I will be there and the temp is freezing.  Today I bought extra socks and mittens.  I am going to be wearing lots of layers.  So I am ready for the snow (hopefully).  In the words of my eighth grade principle BRING IT ON!