Atlantica - 01.05.2002, Side 32

are a minority, having been separated from the rest of the
spectators in one of the stadium corners. Suddenly, to my sur-
prise, I spot the Icelandic flag in their midst. I wonder whether
another Icelander is watching the game, or whether one of the
supporters just thought the Icelandic flag perfectly represented
the Bologna team colours. My question is left unanswered as
Bologna supporters are not allowed to leave the stadium until
long after the police have made sure that no Inter supporters
remain.
Otherwise, the match is a rather stale affair. Even though Inter
has scored a goal, the team is playing badly and have only
their giant goalkeeper, Toldo, to thank for preserving the lead.
All of a sudden, a great roar of applause emerges from the
audience without any visible reason. What’s going on? My elo-
quent neighbour explains that news has just broken of Perugia
beating AC Milan, the other big team in Milan. These two
teams share San Siro and are certainly not fond of one anoth-
er. They oppose each other twice a year in league play, and
fans fight for tickets to the game. If you only see one football
match in your life, you could do worse than securing a seat at
San Siro when these two teams collide. ❖
30 A T L A N T I C A
Whether you’re into football or not,
a visit to an Italian football stadium is
an unforgettable experience...
SACRED HOUR ON SAN SIRO
The words “Bella Donna” were probably the only printable
words in a one-minute tirade that the man seated next to me
shouted when Mohamed Kallon, the striker of Internazionale
Milano, blasted the ball in front of the visiting team’s gaping
goal. Welcome to the San Siro stadium in Milan where the
local team, Inter, are playing Bologna. The score is 1-0 for
Inter and the atmosphere is explosive. All around are fanati-
cal male fans who seemed the picture of calm until the refer-
ee blew his whistle. And I’m not even sitting among the
Ultras, the most dedicated supporters of the home team.
Over in their section, the Ultras are busy shooting off fire-
works and lighting torches as well as waving flags, singing,
jumping and screaming. Italians are indeed serious about
football.
Football is as much a part of Italian culture as pasta, opera
and fashion. Whether you’re into football or not, a visit to an
Italian football stadium is an unforgettable experience, espe-
cially if you’re lucky enough to catch a match between two of
the top teams in Seria A, the premier league, in one of Italy’s
most famous stadiums. San Siro seats around 80,000 fans
and today it’s almost full. The vociferous Bologna supporters
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