They love their football here in Italy. Serie A dominates and when it doesn’t, Bundesliga takes over. Juventus is all the talk, and for an English-teaching Western Bulldogs supporter it can be a tad overwhelming.
But another league has caught the Italians’ attention in the off-season, and this one I can relate to.
I’m off to teach a class of eight-year-olds about Australia. I walk in, set up my gear, smile, introduce myself, and ask the same question I ask every time – what do you know about Australia?
The answers vary – some classes know a lot, some know very little. But there are three things that never change from class to class: kangaroos, Sydnaay and Alessandro Del Piero.
Some eight-year-olds’ knowledge goes deeper than that. I’ve had one say Del Piero captains the sky blues, one made mention of the four goals he scored against Wellington, and one enthusiastic lad said in all seriousness how the Italian champion rides to every game on a kangaroo.
Although I have my doubts over Del Piero’s kangaroo-riding abilities, the fact remains that he gave his team and in turn the A-League an identity it didn’t have before. Not news by any means, but it’s a positive when people recognise the A-League ahead of our blundering prime minister.
I’m not saying the league is now full of world beaters or that in the upcoming World Cup we will even come close to matching the Spanish on the park, but from the A-League’s inception there were doubts whether it would make a mark in an already crowded sporting market. Those have been dispelled.
It’s had hiccups, several teams have folded and more still may in the years to come, but where there was a spark now a flame steadily grows.
Del Piero has retired, walking away from the game as a champion, and I wondered who could take his place to draw attention to our little league. That was until last week, when David Villa signed on for 10 games with the newly named Melbourne City, another golden strike by an A-League team.
Ten games may not seem like much, as he is only preparing for the American season, but the Spanish legend will bring more interest to the game, both within our borders and beyond. Watch for him on the big stage when he and the Spaniards take on the Socceroos, it will be a glimpse of what we will see Down Under.
For now, the league is growing and with a new TV deal in the future the sky’s the limit.
What’s your opinion Roarers? Who else can the A-league attract, what big name will be next?
Ian
Guest
Well it's more attention than the Newcastle Knights and NSW Blues generate in Italy that's for sure.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Got your attention? And, it's the off-season for the A-League!
Knightblues
Roar Guru
I wouldn't get too excited, if we have to rely on big names now and then to get brief attention from some place in the world.
Cpaaa
Guest
I dont know what is harder, following SFC or teaching 8 year olds ? i would have to say following SFC. I always enjoy reading these pages from abroad, the real life stories we dont often get to hear. Best off luck in a foreign country, for lifes challenges are magnified in these situations, but we all come out better for it. World experiences are valuable for us and your own lifes resume. once again thanks for sharing.
Cassorelli
Guest
I think in the next TV deal there should be an 'incentive' bonus. Teams that want to splash the cash on a big marquee will be able to access additional funding to help them do so.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You're definitely preaching to the converted there! The world cup is always a welcome distraction at this time of year! You will note elsewhere I have written about the 1982 world cup - a year when the scraggers finished with the wooden spoon - little wonder that I dedicated many early mornings to watching whatever was televised at the time (around eight or so games were telecast live back then). Questa speranza la teniamo....
berrlins
Roar Pro
Sometimes mister football, following soccer eases the pain of following the doggies it can get tough I must admit
berrlins
Roar Pro
I would still think ADPs sojourn over to oz has done more for the league than villas ten games could but I could be wrong, only time will tell. I must admit having a second sport to follow is a lot better than putting all the love being the old scray, I saw the end result of the brisbane game and really didn't think we could lose that one. Macca in some strife possibly?
c
Guest
yes mister football i'm finding that this is the case more and more :-)
Cameron
Roar Guru
You're not wrong in saying that.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
soccer loving footscray supporters are everywhere
SN2204
Guest
Sydney FC would obviously be the most recognised Australian Sporting team in Italy.But shortly after ADP signed to SFC I checked the big daily sporting papers in Europe.ADP's signing with SFC was front page news on these big sports papers.L'Equipe(France),La Marca(Spain),A Bola(Portugal) & Bilde(Germany).People shouldn't really under estimate the awareness ADP brought and it has probably made the HAL another option for players looking outside of Europe.I guess Melbourne City FC will join Sydney FC as the HAL's most globally recognised teams.
c
Guest
Lindsay nice story thanks particularly from a footscray supporter
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Yes. Very cheeky. Well it looks like Sydney FC and Melbourne City are gaining worldwide fame. What was the name of that other Melbourne team? I've forgotten already..
Bondy
Guest
I didn't think football in Australia could have the reach it it is having I understand also that probably 6 out 10 Italians wouldn't know what the A League is nor care so much, but a little bit of penetration does wonders for all ..
ciudadmarron
Guest
Did you not see my comment? :lol: Of course, there's a tonne more eyes in the a-league throughout Asia thanks to the acl as well.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Nice article & nice to know of Sydney FC's fame. I hope the non Sydney FC Roarers are a bit jealous :-)
Midfielder
Guest
Nice article ..
Cameron
Roar Guru
I believe the FFA is working on doing just that.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Great to read such articles - thanks, Lindsay Berrett. Of all the countries I've visited in Europe, Italy was the country that captured my heart - football, food & stunning females... in my 20s, I think I fell in love 20 times in 20 minutes as I walked through the streets of Roma. As mentioned above, when travelling around the world, football has always been the way to merge into conversation: any bar, any group - young or old. Enjoy your time in Italy.