Football as a social act: Bozner FC vs AC Virtus Bolzano.

Words: Imma Borrelli

Images: Imma Borrelli

In Alto Adige, football is something different from what we all usually know in Italy. There are no smoke bombs, no chants, no drums and handclaps, in short there are no organized fans, but the support in the stands is not lacking.

I had the opportunity to chat pleasantly with some people during the first half of Bozner FC - AC Virtus Bolzano, a summer match of the Coppa Italia Eccellenza that is almost a derby if we consider the distance that separates the headquarters of both teams of about 200 metres.

In Alto Adige, whether they are important matches in terms of the ranking, whether they are first or second category, juniors, the spectators number around 500 - 1000, because in the suburbs football is seen as a Sunday social act.

The stadium becomes the place where you meet even if you are less interested in football, because of the culture of the place: “the third half”, that is, that moment at the end of the match when you are together and you also meet up with your opponents to share a good refreshment that is never disappointing.

“For us, the social aspect of football is very important, even to our detriment for example in victories and championships.”

And the public was there, but I must also say that the performances on the field were high and satisfactory.