Soccer Hooligans

Last night, I went to my first Bologna FC match along with Nick and Brian to watch them play against Roma. We hopped on the bus right after class, which I'm finally just starting to figure out, by the way, and ended up meeting this guy from Croatia who was pretty cool and helped us get to the stadium. Tickets were 20 euros, which wasn't bad at all. We did have a little trouble finding the right place to enter the stadium since there were no signs, but eventually we got it figured out. We ended up right next to the Roma section, and the fans were pretty crazy. The stadium was only about 3/4 of the way full, and I don't know if that has anything to do with BFC being pretty mediocre this season or the fact that it was a midweek game or whatever, but I'd say about 20,000 people were there since the stadium holds 33,000. People were lighting up flares and stuff on the Bologna side, and there were partitions in the sections made out of plexiglass, so I'm sure it can get pretty rowdy. In fact, they actually check your ID at the gate and print your name on your ticket. There was also no way for the Rome fans to come in contact with Bologna fans really, since they separated the two parts of the stadium and had the place crawling with cops. I'd say the atmosphere was about the same as a Flyers game, if that makes any sense. I thought it would be even crazier than an Eagles game, since everyone harps on how big soccer is here, but it was actually a bit tamer than I was expecting...and I was reminded very early on that I was, indeed, watching soccer with the amount of flopping and fake injuries by the Roma side. Roma ended up winning 1-0, and to be honest the game itself wasn't a great one. There were few chances by either side, and I can see why soccer isn't very popular in America (we have the real football, dammit). It was basically just a bunch of play in the middle of the field with very few runs or anything too exciting. Roma's goal came on a deflection. I guess at the very least, I can say I saw Totti play- he used to be one of the better players out there and was the only name I recognized. It was cool though, don't get me wrong. I used to love playing soccer and while I always was a bigger fan of football, it's a sport that really does take some hard work and even guts. The whole time I was there I kept hearing Mr. Farley and Kalbach's voices in my head..."When in doubt, kick it out!" Overall it was a great experience, and I'm sure I'll be back before I leave, and hopefully to mix in with the hooligans next time. No, it couldn't possibly replace me being there on opening night back in the states or watching the Flyers make another run to the finals (my boycott of the Sixers remains, but I might have to lift it next year), but hey, I'll take what I can get. Also, gotta respect a team whose fans destroy crap around the city when they lose...which the fans here have been known to do in the past.