Fútbolita

Say ‘ciao’ to Verdiana Vetrano, our official Futbolita del Mundo from Italy! The die hard fan of the Rossoneri is also studying intercultural communications in Milan to pursue her dream as a sports journalist. “I am a Futbolita because I love football, I live for it and I hope to find a job that supports my passion,” she said. Tutto bene, we say!

FORZA ITALIA!

“I love Italy and also I love my city of Milan! I would never change my city and my country because it’s the place I belong to. My national football team is unique because we are the world champions and because we have good players that are known and famous in the world.”

“Football is the main sport in Italy. Most part of people follows this sport all year. When there is World cup in Milan (but also in other cities) there are huge screens in the main squares to watch the matches, to sing, to support our team together and if Italy wins, after the match all of people go to celebrate in pubs and in the streets.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

“My passion for football began when I was a child. My mother bought me AC Milan’s player cards everyday and for this reason I became an AC Milan fan, while my father is a FC Internazionale supporter and I wanted to oppose him just for fun. When I was 11, I was impressed by 3 players of AC Milan: George Weah (Golden ball 1995), Leonardo and Oliver Bierhoff. When they scored, I was the happiest girl in the world because they were my idols.

“With them, AC milan won the Scudetto in 1999. My first match in San Siro was a special day and now I can’t stop going there when Milan plays. I don’t miss any match, I’m always present and never absent.

ITALY’S CHANCES OF WINNING…

“I love my national team, but I think that this year the chances to win the World Cup are not high because our players are too old and they gave their best in Germany world cup in 2006. Italy’s coach Lippi doesn’t want to call up players as Balotelli, Cassano, Miccoli and Ambrosini.. they are very strong and they would help our team to win, but it’s too late because he made his decisions.For this reason I think that we won’t win.”

ABOUT AC MILAN…

“My AC Milan favourite players of the past are Weah, Leonardo and Bierhoff. In recent years, years my idols are Shevchenko and Kakà (favourite players ever) and now Pato!! I met Shevchenko, Pato and Leonardo…but I would like to meet Kakà one more time to thank him for 6 wonderful years in AC Milan because with him we won everything. I want also to tell him to come back to AC Milan because we are his real fans, we love him and Milan is the place he belongs to.”

“I’m very excited to represent Italy on futbolita and I’m looking forward to the world cup to watch all games and to write articles or news about my national team!!!”

Italy’s Fútbolita Verdiana is wearing the Cultzeros/Futbolita Buffon World Cup Tee
ALL PHOTOS © Verdiana Vetrano

Leave Amauri alone! That’s what Juve’s keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, has told newspapers in Italy. His teammate has been under tremendous pressure lately after reports emerged saying that the striker was on the verge of ditching his Brazilian-born roots to play for Italy.

“I believe that when we speak of nationality – and a sense of belonging – football should be left out. Amauri must choose what he feels most appropriate because he has to live with his conscience. It is an important choice for a man and not just a player. Therefore, he should be left in peace,” said Buffon.

Of course, the goalkeeper spoke highly of his teammate and his ability to cope with the pressure at Juventus.

“I (already) knew of (Amauri’s) quality but when a player comes here to play, the shirt of Juve can weigh heavily. That always creates a question mark. But Amauri has been fantastic. He scored many important goals and played well in many games. He showed that the sequence of games is crucial for an athlete to remain at high level,” he concluded.

Spain were the better team. We played the best football I’ve seen so far in this tournament. Yes, even better than Portugal. It’s almost as if Valeron and Raul were back in the squad, except our midfield engine now consists of a certain boy whiz named Fabregas, Brazilian Marcos Senna and another occasionally overly-ambitious lad named David Silva. Casillas has matured way beyond his age. He is clearly the goalkeeper of our generation and handles the ever-heavy ‘el capitano’ responsibility now, which is what everyone in Real Madrid fondly used to call Hierro and Raul. Alas, we have broken the June 22 curse.

Luca Toni was once again, a joke. Every time the ball slipped past Puyol or Ramos, he hardly posed a threat. I wonder why he’s even in the starting line-up, seeing how that moustache makes him look like a gourmet chef. Seeing Pirlo cry was pretty sad though. After all, he is a Milan player and part of the Rossoneri. But I trust Kaka to do the consoling and invite him over for tea and scones while they talk about their sons. I must say, however, that Torres was pretty quiet last night and I realise now, that if he puts on a bit of blush, he can potentially look like a court jester. Also, if you add colourful bands to his hair while he keeps his wrist band on, he will be transformed instantaneously into a raver. One hell of a sexy one. Oooh yeah!

Anyway, we’ll be meeting Russia and the annoying cunt Hiddink in the semis. That asshole will surely be up to his dirty tactics again and I’m sure he’ll make the fans defend too if they had to. The ref had better not be the one we got in Korea… who disallowed a total of four legitimate goals Spain scored .Clearly, there was no offside in Morientes case but the money South Korea paid him must’ve been a hefty sum. Enough for him to probably retire and get a house in Hollywood Hills, right next to Hugh Hefner.

While I’m at it, the Turkey-Croatia game was a fast-paced spectacle to watch as well. There was never a dull moment even when it came to extra time…and the Turks managed to numb the entire Croats attack, which is something even Brazil had difficulty doing. They had only themselves to blame, however, but no one could see the equaliser coming… from a good 35 yards! That was like Kaka’s opening goal (one shall never forget things like this) at Germany. What a goal! The commentator sounded like he was about to have a heart attack.. bless his soul.

Here’s a great picture.

And I should be writing other things now but post-match commentary is always necessary in the case of football. It’s good practise, from what I have been told. Ha-ha. Except I just need to work on the biased views. Also, the school wants us to do a fashion show and the concept document is pretty amusing. Last but not least, I am going to write a book on how to combat insane-football-hours and launch it in South Africa. Contributors are welcome for all 12 chapters.