Fiorentina vs Juventus

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to score some tickets to the biggest soccer game of the season in Florence. The stadium was packed with Forza Viola fans  with a small section of Juventus fans. The pressure was on for Fiorentina to win this game.

There was smoke and firecrackers at the very beginning of the game. The fans were singing and chanting for their favorite players. One thing I have learned about soccer fans here in Italy is that they are passionate and very serious about soccer. 

  My roommate Laura and I wearing our Vorza Fiola scarfs. Fiorentina's color is Viola (purple) so we had to represent!

There wasn't an empty seat at the stadium!

The Juventus rooting section was small but fierce.

Unfortunately Fiorentina was not able to score.

This made for some angry Fiorentina fans. Of course as the other team began to score the fans began to fight. Extra security and police officers had to be called. I saw so many obscene gestures that night! 

  

Sadly, the game ended with defeat. Fiorentina 0, Juventus 5

Five Things

The five things I heart about Italy this week are:

1. Fiorentina Soccer Games:  Fiorentina, also known as Forza Viola is the official soccer team here in Florence. I had the pleasure of going to a Fiorentina soccer match last week. Sadly, my team didn't win but I still had a lovely experience. I was lucky enough to go twice this season. If I ever come back to Florence you bet I'll go to another match! (post about this coming soon)

2. Palestra Ricciardi: This is the new gym I go to. To be honest I had a rocky start with gym because a. it's farther from my apartment (10 min walk) b. the equipment is much older c. i havent warmed up to the people. Still, the more I go the more I like it. I'm starting to get comfortable. Soon I will have a routine like I did at Klab. What I like about Palestra Ricciardi is that they offer more classes. Some are really fun, like the hip hop class they have. I also like that the people who go to Palestra Ricciardi are younger. They are around the same age group as me as opposed to Klab that had much older members.

3. Amazon.it: I love this website. It is like the one back home but of course it offers all the Italian dvds/books/cds I could ever want at a lower price than the bookstores. Even though I had a rough time getting my package the first time around, I will be ordering again from them soon. Here is what I bought the first time. :)

4. Antica Gelateria Fiorentina: This is slowly becoming my favorite gelateria here in Florence. Although the I still prefer the gelato from La Carraia, L'Antica Gelateria Fiorentina is significantly closer to my apartment. How close? About one minute. This is dangerous because not only is their gelato delicious but it's also cheap! I typically get the 2 euro cup with Stracciatella and Bacio.

5. Italian Lessons with Adriana: Even though Adriana hasn't been learning Italian for too long (and I have been learning it for years) we are around the same level. Recently we have started practicing together the stuff we need to work on. Last night was the conditional, like would or could, and tonight we will probably go over it again and move on. I am glad we are doing this because it will better our Italian for sure. We are using this book by Claudio Manetta. 

ACF Fiorentina vs. Calcio Catania

This weekend some classmates and I went to a soccer match. Playing was Firenze's very own team, Fiorentina versus Calcio Catania. The game made me miss being at home. Seriously sometimes I feel like soccer is the only thing my dad and Victor watch and I just have to sit there and watch too. Who would have thought that I would miss it? haha. I am sure Victor and my dad would have loved to be there. Hopefully they will get to see these pics. :)

The tickets actually have your name on it. How cool is that? I am definitely keeping this as a memento.

We were sitting right in the middle. There were so many lively fans all around us.

Here is the team playing. There were actually some good players on the team. I was impressed. :)

I wish I could have taken a picture of when we scored but boooy was everyone so happy when Fiorentina made a goal. I was almost knocked down by like three guys celebrating.

 Everytime they scored the banners would be up in the air. The fans also had songs/cheers for every play. Italians are very passionate about futbol.

Here are some of the people from my class that went to the game. Julie, Whitney and Eric.  

 Overall it was a good game. We tied which wasn't too bad. I would like to go again. Hopefully I will find someone who wants to go with me.

I saw this on the way back from the game. I just had to take a pic cuz it's PINK!!! I feel like I need one of these in my life.

Ps: To get a closer look at the pictures click on them. It should make the pic larger.