Crucial times for the Azzurri
- 8 Feb 07, 03:11 PM
It must be pretty difficult being an Italian sports fan at the moment.
is again in chaos following the death of a policeman in last weekend (which followed last year’s massive ) while the rugby team were thumped by France in their opening Six Nations game.
So to judge the Azzurri mood ahead of Saturday’s clash against England at Twickenham, I spoke to the rugby correspondent of , Andrea Buongiovanni.
ON LAST WEEK’S DEFEAT TO FRANCE
"In November, Italy lost to and but played well both times and the team expected more against France.
"They did have a few problems with injuries, especially in the backs with full-back David Bortolussi and wing Marko Stanojevic out, but the team played poorly."
ON THE MATCH AGAINST ENGLAND
"Playing at Twickenham is possibly the worst thing that could happen at the moment.
"Before the France game, people were saying a win was possible. No one is saying that about England, the mood is down at the moment.
"The hope is that they can play better than they did last week and maybe make a game of it.
"There is a small chance to win against Scotland in Edinburgh, but after that the big match is Wales at home."
ON ITALIAN FOOTBALL’S RECENT PROBLEMS
"Everybody goes crazy for football here as everyone knows, but we have had two very bad moments recently.
"People are getting bored with football because it is more than a sport at the moment and many of the Italian newspapers last weekend made a comparison between football and other sports.
"They were talking about the big party at the Stadio Flaminio for the game against France. Even after the loss, people were cheering the players and they were enthusiastic.
"You go to rugby, volleyball or basketball and people want to have fun, but football at the moment is becoming dangerous."
ON ITALIAN RUGBY’S INCREASING POPULARITY
"For the national team, expectations are very high. In the last week, rugby has got on the front of the newspaper three or four times.
"There is much more interest in the team than there used to be. The Stadio Flaminio is always sold out and the players are often on television, radio talk shows, magazines and newspapers and so on.
"Rugby has a big chance to gain a foothold but you need results, the show is not enough."
ON WHERE ITALY GO FROM HERE
"The problem is that there is little strength in depth. Italy don’t have too many players to choose from and they are paying for that.
"One of the big arguments in Italian rugby is what should happen with the players - should they play in Italy or is it better that they play elsewhere in a stronger championship?
"Individually, we have good players but 10 years ago the national team was a real unit – they played together more.
"There is not much money in Italian rugby so the best players have to go to France or England to play.
"It could be better to have a strong Italian championship where they play together every Sunday, but that is not going to happen very soon."
Wales 27-18 England
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The real problem of violence is the refusal of the authorities to enforce laws against inciting riots and creating civil disorder. In most societies, penalties for such crimes are severe including jail sentences, compensation for civil damages, and both civil and criminal punative fines. If the laws aren't there, they ought to be. There is no excuse for not having enough police and not having video cameras to help identify and apprehend the perpetrators when trouble is expected. Once word got out that you will lose your liberty and possibly a lot of money if you riot, people would know what lays in store for them and would adjust their behavior accordingly, the rate of crime would diminish. This says a lot about European society and its attitudes towards crime. We see the same mentality in its dealings with international crime and criminals as well. As the old saying goes, you get the government you deserve.
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All true. And after the policeman dead, this is time that english can give us lessons about what to do..But please just not put together italian crazy tifosi and italian rugby supporters! I discovered twickenham and rugby in 1997 (england-italy 90-0 or something like that..): just magic..from that moment no more way for football for me!Time is now difficult for us.. can you have an idea about an italian serie a rugby match??? And how we are proud just to play against england on saturday? berbizier cannot let us step down in that way!We will see, but Mauro Bergamasco off is a big blow for us..
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I went on a school Rugby tour to Brescia and Milan during Autumn 1992. Italy has some fantastic rugby people and the government need to invest in the infrastructure so the sport can compete for the fans and the country can compete with their Six Nations rivals.
Harsher penalties, more tv cameras and more aggressive policing with tear gas and tazers are required to deal with the yobs. Fight fire with fire.
I now live in the US and there are few sports riots here because anyone who messes with the police stands a good chance of getting shot.
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As and english fan, I really hope the Azzuri have a good game a Twickenham. We want to see at least one good try to plant in the imagination of the viewers. We need a strong Italy to give hope to other small rugby nations eg Romania, Gorgia Spain ect. With Italian football in chaos now is a good opportunity and the Italian authorities must invest in the game. Here in East Africa I have Italian friends who just arn't interested or groan when I tell them the lastes 6N score! Lets change that. Go Azzuri
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Italy's main problem of a lack of strength in depth is what needs to be addressed most urgently, but it's not something that will be turned around in a hurry. Nurturing of the domestic championships is the key. I go to watch Almaviva Capitolina here in Rome, who were promoted to the top division (Super 10) this season. The enthusiasm of the fans is clear and, just as in Britain - and all over the world - watching rugby is a family affair.
But being at these games is a bit like stepping back 20 years to club rugby in Britain. The home game will grow if it is managed correctly and the success of the national team will grow with it, but while so many key players are learning their trade in Britain and France, it leaves a dearth of experience at club level.
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Italy have shown some real improvements in the past few years. They have some excellent player. Some who would push the English for places if they were in the same sqaud. The best of the Italian players seem to play in England or France so it seems only logical that more should follow that example. After all it will take a generation for the Italian league to become competitive. And thats only if the goverment invests in rugby now.
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matteo: Thanks for your kind comment. It's a pleasure to have you here. Without meaning the least disrespect to the other home nations and France it is pleasant occasionally to play a side that doesn't want to beat us more than all the others.
Regarding long term development, wouldn't the healthiest thing to have be Italian players picking up experience abroad for a few years, and then bringing it home to the Italian league? But that takes money...
Regarding the hooliganism you have my sympathy. It took us a long time to get on top of it - five years? Ten? And I have a strong suspicion violence bubbles not far below the surface today. I think it took close co-operation between Police and Clubs to beat it. In England much of the fighting was surprisingly well organised - prearranged , for example. I wish you the best of luck in dealing with it.
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