Italy Away

It's been a few weeks since I got back from Italy but managed to get to 2 matches, AC Milan v Fiorentina and Pavia v Alessandria. An excellent trip despite the constant rain (and people think Manchester is bad!).

Highlights of the games can be seen below.

 

Loyalty or Insanity?

Not sure how many of us played in a game like this at under 12 level.

Lech Poznan v Spurs (U-12)

Paninaro

Paninaro (Italian pronunciation: [paniˈnaːro]; feminine: Paninara; plural: Paninari; feminine plural: Paninare) is a name that was born behind a group of youngsters that used to meet at the bar Al Panino (At the Sandwich) in Via Agnello, in Milan, during the early 1980s. after that, they used to meet in Piazza San Babila where the "Burghy", an Italian fast food chain, just opened his first restaurant - later bought by Mc Donald's. The subculture was famous for its apolitical nature and its twin obsessions with fashion and Americana, contrasting sharply with the politically-aware generations of 1960s and 1970s.

The Paninaro scene developed in tandem with the vapid hedonism of the 80s, fostered by Reaganomics, Thatcherism and deregulation liberism and was eagerly embraced by the sons of well-to-do professionals who benefited from the widening gulf between high-income families and salaried workers.
It was also reinforced by the diffusion in Italy of Berlusconi's television channels, which transmitted messages of consumerism and fostered a fetishistic urge of self-affirmation through the acquisition of status symbols. Among these one station Italia 1 was explicitly aimed at a younger target, broadcasting then-popular US series, movies, cartoons and comedy shows which had unparalleled popularity in the 10-25 age range.
The Paninaro look's cornerstones were: Timberland boots or Vans deck shoes, Armani jeans rolled up to ankle height, El Charro belts with Texan or western-style big buckles, Best Company sweatshirts, bulky Moncler jackets and brightly colored Invicta rucksacks.
Other popular items were Ray-Ban sunglasses, Naj-Oleari underwear, Fiorucci and Moschino accessories, Controvento and CP Company clothing.

In their heyday, Paninari were lampooned in the Italia 1 comedy show Drive-in by Enzo Braschi, who played a character depicting the shallowness of the subculture and its unending vulnerability to newer trends and fads of the 1980s (New Romantic, Dark-Goth, Rambo-like, and so on...). Braschi later dropped the character after a season in which he appeared in military uniform relating his experiences in the then-compulsory service in the Italian Army (then a rite of passage signalling detachment from the teenage years).
The Paninaro movement was also diffused in some European countries, and is immortalized in the cult song "Paninaro" from 1986 by the Pet Shop Boys.

Stone Island/CP Company Discount Code

Being a priviledged Stone Island and CP Company customer, they have sent me a discount code for 25% off. The code to enter at checkout is: SANTA2010

Items For Sale

I'm in the process of having a much needed clearout and have listed a few things on ebay with more to come in the coming weeks. If you are interested in any of the items, please contact me and we should be able to come to an arrangement. The link for my ebay is: My Ebay Selling

Our Proving Grounds (13) Garnlydan

Playing in the North Gwent League Premier Division, not far from Ebbw Vale in the Welsh Valleys, this ground was a brief stop off on the way home from a weekend in Crickhowell.

Our Proving Grounds (12) AC Pavia

On a recent Italian jaunt I had the pleasure (?) of attending AC PAvia v Alessandria in the third tier of Italian football. Situated 30 minutes from Milan, the town was easy enough to reach, however the stadium was a 3 mile walk from the station with no buses running to the ground on matchdays. An 8EU taxi ride got us there 2 hours before kick off which turned out to be a complete waste of time as the stadium is in the middle of nowhere. A crowd of about 700 were treated to a 1-1 draw with both goals coming in the second half.

Our Proving Grounds (11) Weston Super Mare

I had the pleasure of accompanying Sean (80s Casuals) to the game against Thurrock on 13.11.10 at the Woodspring stadium. After a few beers in town we set off to the game and had a few drinks in the bar before making our way onto the terracing behind the goal. A crowd of 150 witnessed a much needed 2-1 win for Weston.

Our Proving Grounds (10) Crickhowell FC

Located on the main road between Abergavenny and Crickhowell, I passed here as the ground was being prepared for the Gwent Central League Premier Division game Between Crickhowell and Raglan on the 30.10.10. For the record, Raglan won the game 4-1.

Since You've Been Gone

Due to moving house and the stresses and strains that come with it, it's been a while since my last post but fear not, I've got plenty of pictures etc to put up which I'm hoping to sort out in the next few days.

On the Books

I read this book a few years ago and had been looking for a reasonably priced copy. Once again eBay was there like a trusty old friend (who is continually asking to borrow money).

An excellent book detailing the story of how Adidas and Puma revolutionised the world of sport and the advertising, fashion and endorsement aspects. No stone is left unturned and I would recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the subject matter.

 

Items I didn't need but bought anyway #6

Another 2 pairs of trainers......

First up is a pair of chalk/blue Adidas Rom from Hanon Shop.

Secondly is a pair of Montreal I picked up in Size? Cardiff.

Contra Heroes

Born in Elgoibar, Gipuzkoa, Etxeberria began his career with Real Sociedad, making his top level debuts at only 17, in a 2–0 home win against RCD Español, on January 29, 1995. That summer, he moved to neighbour Basque outfit Athletic Bilbao, in a controversial transfer that cost over €3 million. At the time, it was the highest transfer fee paid for an under-18 player in Spanish football.

In 1997–98, Etxeberria netted 11 league goals, as Athletic finished second, achieving a career-best 14 five seasons later, while he was also eventually awarded club captaincy.

On 1 October 2008, already playing second-fiddle for the team, Etxeberria agreed a deal with the club according to which he effectively played 2009–10, his last season as a professional, for free, after his contract expired in June 2009.

Etxeberria's last season was not a successful one individually, as he only appeared in seven league matches (plus another seven – with two goals – in the UEFA Europa League). On May 15, 2010, he was replaced to a standing ovation in Athletic's 2–0 home win against Deportivo de La Coruña, and represented his main club in 514 official matches (105 goals), third-best in the team's history, only behind José Ángel Iribar and Txetxu Rojo. 

Loyal Supporters?

Italian second tier outfit Triestina have come up with a novel way to deal with their disappointing attendance figures. Struggling to fill their 32,454-seat Stadio Nereo Rocco, the club took the decision to close one of their stands for the entire season.
But rather than face the embarrassment of playing in front of thousands of empty seats, the stand has been covered with giant posters of fake fans.
The plan seems to be working a treat so far. Triestina won their match against Pescara 1-0 on Sunday, the stand closure was vindicated by an attendance of 3,810 genuine supporters, and those flat supporters not only seem to be having a great time, they also look good for the TV cameras.

Decisions, Decisions

A weekend break in Clevedon beckons and with that in mind a check of the local football fixtures has left me with a number of options. Either Clevedon United v Winscombe  or the local derby between  Nailsea United and Ashton & Backwell United in the Errea Somerset County League Premier division (level 11 of the Football Pyramid). My third and favoured option would be the game between Portishead and Devizes Town in the Toolstation Western Football League Division 1 (level 10 of the Football Pyramid).

Hand Stadium Clevedon

Items I didn't need but bought anyway #5

Adidas Tennis Super. Size 9. BNIB. Job done.

On the Books

Calcissimo has just arrived at Contra towers. A photographic record of many aspects of Italian football from 1997 - 2006. This A4 sized book comprises 80 pages and some 140 photographs and is available here.

You're not wearing that are you?

Spending many a lunchtime in Cardiff city centre has given me a valuable insight into the fashion habits of our Welsh brethren. From floppy tea cosy hats to daft daps, here's a rundown of what to be seen in this autumn.

1. Henleys t-shirt and McKenzie tracksuit bottoms with £15 JD Sports daps. A diamonte stud earring is optional but a daft haircut is essential to really carry this off.

2. Hollister hooded top, university tracksuit trousers and billabong flip flops.

3. Skinny jeans, hobnail boots, Ramones t-shirt and waistcoat. Knitted tea cosy optional.

4. Distressed look jeans, brown loafers and Wales rugby shirt. More common during the egg-chasing season.

5. Full Nike tracksuit preferably with hooded jacket (trousers tucked into socks), Nike Air Max and hard looking dog.

6. Gio Goi t-shirt with slogan, G Star jeans, Electric blue/pink Adidas Forest Hills.

Our Proving Grounds (9) Stade de France

Although it seems like a dream now, I attended 2 games at the Stade de France during the World Cup of 1998. The semi-final between France 2-1 Croatia (08.07.98) and also the final between France 3-0 Brazil (12.07.98)

Our Proving Grounds (8) Cardiff City: Ninian Park

Former home of the Bluebirds and scene of more joy and pain than I ever thought possible. From my first game in 1985 to my last in 2009, Ninian Park will always have a special place in my heart.

Our Proving Grounds (7) Milan

My most visited Italian ground as well as one of the cheapest. A ticket in the top tier (albeit up in the gods) can cost as little as 11 Euros. Although known as the San Siro, the official name of the stadium is the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Games I have seen here include: AC Milan 1-1 Fiorentina (03.09.07), AC Milan 0-0 Torino (03.11.07),  AC Milan 1-0 Siena (10.02.08), AC Milan 1-1 Livorno (13.02.08), Internazionale 1-1 Torino (31.01.09).

Our Proving Grounds (6) Fiorentina

My love affair with Italian football began with the Channel 4 coverage of Serie A. Watching the likes of Batistuta et al all those years ago, I never dreamt that I would be visiting the Stadio Artemio Franchi in later life. I went to the final game of the 2008-09 season (31.05.09) between Fiorentina and AC Milan. The game was notable as being the last game for a number of big names (Maldini, Beckham, Kaka, Ancelotti) and ended in a 2-0 win for AC Milan.