Catching a match at Stadio Olimpico?

[Scottee25]

So with Royal Caribbean cancelling the TransAtlantic we had booked, we decided to book another TransAtlantic Royal has that leaves Florida 2 days earlier and arrives in Civitavecchia 2 days earlier than the previous cruise. This mean we will now be staying in Rome 2 additional nights. As a result, we will be in Rome when SS Lazio has a Sunday match at the Stadio Olimpico. Tickets are still not on sale for this match but we're hoping by the time we sail that we will have been able to pick a couple of tickets. Curious what is the best way to get there? Doesn't appear the Metro goes anywhere near the stadium. I do see there are bus routes near the stadium and the team's website does give some directions on getting to the stadium by Bus/Tram which are helpful. Is this how most people would get to the game? I am assuming taking a taxi may be a bit expensive? I welcome your input.

[JimmyTheSaint]

I hope you enjoy the experience if you do get to the Stadio Olympico but be aware that it's a terrible stadium. It has to be one of the worst large stadiums in Europe. The pitch is miles away from the spectators, the stadium is too big and therefore lacks atmosphere and given it's age it lacks modern facilities.

[Scottee25]

1 hour ago, JimmyTheSaint said:

I hope you enjoy the experience if you do get to the Stadio Olympico but be aware that it's a terrible stadium. It has to be one of the worst large stadiums in Europe. The pitch is miles away from the spectators, the stadium is too big and therefore lacks atmosphere and given it's age it lacks modern facilities.

 

Thank you very much for the information. I have looked at the stadium from the satellite view and I completely see what you mean. With the running track is would make sense that it's called the Olympic Stadium 🙂 We would want to go more for the experience. On our last TA we ended in Barcelona and did a tour of Camp Nao but unfortunately were not there when Barca was playing there or we definitely would have caught a game there. But to have the opportunity to catch a true European football match will be most worth it! Hopefully can still figure out the best way to get there and back to the hotel.

[cruisemom42]

Not being a soccer -- er, football -- fan, I've never headed in that direction in Rome. However this site has what looks like some sensible directions:

 

https://www.bellaromesports.com/blog/how-to-get-to-rome-s-stadio-olimpico/

 

Especially note the comment about taking a taxi. 

 

Also if you are on foot it may be worth checking out the Ponte Milvio mentioned in the article. That is the one and same Milvian Bridge where would-be Emperor Constantine claimed to have seen a cross in the sky prior to his battle with the (legitimate) emperor of Rome in 312 AD. He later claimed this sign foretold his victory, which prompted his conversion to Christianity -- eventually leading to the conversion of the entire Roman empire.

 

On second thought -- perhaps best to avoid the bridge on football days. Apparently it is still something of a "battle scene" among modern-day football rivals, as reported here:

 

The bridge is known as a place where Italian football hooligans known as Ultras from A.S. Roma often attack fans from opposing teams on match days. The lightning attack or puncicata, as it's known in Roman slang, is where a flash mob of Ultras quickly assault another group of fans stabbing them in the buttocks before running away. The bridge is used because its design and locations make it suitable for this type of ambush. In occasion of games played by the other local team S.S.Lazio, the A.S.Roma fans tend to avoid the area, as it is where Lazio Ultras usually gather.

[Scottee25]

13 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Not being a soccer -- er, football -- fan, I've never headed in that direction in Rome. However this site has what looks like some sensible directions:

 

https://www.bellaromesports.com/blog/how-to-get-to-rome-s-stadio-olimpico/

 

Especially note the comment about taking a taxi. 

 

Also if you are on foot it may be worth checking out the Ponte Milvio mentioned in the article. That is the one and same Milvian Bridge where would-be Emperor Constantine claimed to have seen a cross in the sky prior to his battle with the (legitimate) emperor of Rome in 312 AD. He later claimed this sign foretold his victory, which prompted his conversion to Christianity -- eventually leading to the conversion of the entire Roman empire.

 

On second thought -- perhaps best to avoid the bridge on football days. Apparently it is still something of a "battle scene" among modern-day football rivals, as reported here:

 

The bridge is known as a place where Italian football hooligans known as Ultras from A.S. Roma often attack fans from opposing teams on match days. The lightning attack or puncicata, as it's known in Roman slang, is where a flash mob of Ultras quickly assault another group of fans stabbing them in the buttocks before running away. The bridge is used because its design and locations make it suitable for this type of ambush. In occasion of games played by the other local team S.S.Lazio, the A.S.Roma fans tend to avoid the area, as it is where Lazio Ultras usually gather.

 

Thank you very much for the information. Appears that their directions are similar to those on the website for the Stadio Olimpico. Good to know not to take a cab. 5K walk is a bit far from the Albergo del Senato but perhaps we can start the morning by working our way towards the stadium and seeing a few things along the way. We fully intend to do a lot of walking while we are in Rome so a 5K walk will be just a drop in the bucket.

[Host Bonjour]

On 9/6/2021 at 10:14 PM, Scottee25 said:

So with Royal Caribbean cancelling the TransAtlantic we had booked, we decided to book another TransAtlantic Royal has that leaves Florida 2 days earlier and arrives in Civitavecchia 2 days earlier than the previous cruise. This mean we will now be staying in Rome 2 additional nights. As a result, we will be in Rome when SS Lazio has a Sunday match at the Stadio Olimpico. Tickets are still not on sale for this match but we're hoping by the time we sail that we will have been able to pick a couple of tickets. Curious what is the best way to get there? Doesn't appear the Metro goes anywhere near the stadium. I do see there are bus routes near the stadium and the team's website does give some directions on getting to the stadium by Bus/Tram which are helpful. Is this how most people would get to the game? I am assuming taking a taxi may be a bit expensive? I welcome your input.

 

Hey Scottee,

 

So the Rome–Lazio match would be one of the toughest to obtain tickets for, these are usually referred to as derbys (pronounced darbys, even in the US, it's been adopted, so when Red Bull plays NYCFC, it's called a darby but you'll read it as derby) Man City and Man United is a derby, etc. Anyway, tickets for most other Rome or Lazio matches are usually easy to come by except for the derby, you can understand why. (Does it help if you think Yankees/Mets subway series?)

 

Viagogo has 41 tickets left for 9/26/21 Roma v Lazio and 456 tickets left for 3/20/22 Roma v Lazio, StubHub requires registration to review and check for dates/availability and I probably have a login but can't recall.

 

This doesn't mean you won't find tickets, if you're willing to pay a bit extra. It's not scalpers as much as ticket reseller sights. What most teams and bands finally realized is that aside from pre-sales, another way to keep from being cheated by scalpers was to allow people to sell legitimately purchased tickets (think season ticket holders) on monitored sights. You may know StubHub, even TicketMaster allows it now.

 

The markups can still be ghastly, but you're not stuck outside a stadium worried about a shady transaction for cash, and while there's never a guarantee you won't get a fake ticket on one of these sites, they DO refund purchase prices if your ticket does not grant you entry into an event.

 

Another reason to consider purchasing a ticket this way is, you know you'll have a seat. Even though the match you're interested in isn't on sale to the public yet, a season ticket holder may already know they can't attend, or just want to recoup some of the money so they list tickets for sale through one of these sites. Again, this match may be tough to find, but if seat location isn't super important, and you're willing to pay extra, you should be able to get a seat this way. 

 

Here's the piece from 2018, so yes it's dated, but the info is still valid. TravelMag, Paul Joseph.

 

If it's important to get in for that match, I would buy the tickets now or, see if there's a tour specialist who might also have tickets already that could arrange something like transport and tickets etc (like a special experience package etc., just don't expect that to be inexpensive), then this is the way to go. For lots of reasons, I could see why they may only release tickets to a few matches at a time.

 

They all lose money when they get resold and that's the bottom line.

 

Good luck! ⚽

[Scottee25]

4 hours ago, Host Bonjour said:

 

Hey Scottee,

 

So the Rome–Lazio match would be one of the toughest to obtain tickets for, these are usually referred to as derbys (pronounced darbys, even in the US, it's been adopted, so when Red Bull plays NYCFC, it's called a darby but you'll read it as derby) Man City and Man United is a derby, etc. Anyway, tickets for most other Rome or Lazio matches are usually easy to come by except for the derby, you can understand why. (Does it help if you think Yankees/Mets subway series?)

 

Viagogo has 41 tickets left for 9/26/21 Roma v Lazio and 456 tickets left for 3/20/22 Roma v Lazio, StubHub requires registration to review and check for dates/availability and I probably have a login but can't recall.

 

This doesn't mean you won't find tickets, if you're willing to pay a bit extra. It's not scalpers as much as ticket reseller sights. What most teams and bands finally realized is that aside from pre-sales, another way to keep from being cheated by scalpers was to allow people to sell legitimately purchased tickets (think season ticket holders) on monitored sights. You may know StubHub, even TicketMaster allows it now.

 

The markups can still be ghastly, but you're not stuck outside a stadium worried about a shady transaction for cash, and while there's never a guarantee you won't get a fake ticket on one of these sites, they DO refund purchase prices if your ticket does not grant you entry into an event.

 

Another reason to consider purchasing a ticket this way is, you know you'll have a seat. Even though the match you're interested in isn't on sale to the public yet, a season ticket holder may already know they can't attend, or just want to recoup some of the money so they list tickets for sale through one of these sites. Again, this match may be tough to find, but if seat location isn't super important, and you're willing to pay extra, you should be able to get a seat this way. 

 

Here's the piece from 2018, so yes it's dated, but the info is still valid. TravelMag, Paul Joseph.

 

If it's important to get in for that match, I would buy the tickets now or, see if there's a tour specialist who might also have tickets already that could arrange something like transport and tickets etc (like a special experience package etc., just don't expect that to be inexpensive), then this is the way to go. For lots of reasons, I could see why they may only release tickets to a few matches at a time.

 

They all lose money when they get resold and that's the bottom line.

 

Good luck! ⚽

Yes, totally understand the meaning of the derby. Though I think there may be some confusion. I will be in Rome in May 2022 and SS Lazio will be playing Sampdoria. Tickets are not yet on sale for this match as I have already looked. 

[Host Bonjour]

8 hours ago, Scottee25 said:

Yes, totally understand the meaning of the derby. Though I think there may be some confusion. I will be in Rome in May 2022 and SS Lazio will be playing Sampdoria. Tickets are not yet on sale for this match as I have already looked. 

 

Got it, sorry for the misunderstanding, I saw Rome and Lazio, but no date and so I thought you wanted the derby. Yes, tickets for sale for only three matches so far. That sent me searching, and here's what I found, it's Inter Milan's website but addresses Serie A (in which Lazio is first place presently)

 

I found this website, which I think you may want to bookmark. It's in Italian but is their own site to buy tickets to any event, anywhere in Italy (for example, in a train station, at a tabac etc) I linked to sport.

 

Following the release of our 2021/22 Serie A calendar, fans are informed that the sale of tickets for AC Milan’s home games will take place exclusively after receipt of official authorisation and regulations from the relevant governing bodies. The Club will take care to inform fans via the official AC Milan channels,” the statement read.

 

The Serie A clubs are reportedly pushing for a scenario where the fully vaccinated will be allowed into the stadiums, as it (hopefully) would guarantee safety and wouldn’t increase the spread of COVID-19.

 

Remember, Italy was hit hard. My guess is that they are approaching things differently than perhaps, other countries are when it comes to certain sports. And it can be difficult to remember or keep track of everything, which countries are open, what are the requirements, etc. and we still all have to ride out Delta, which may or may not be more difficult in winter. 

 

If you absolutely definitely want the tickets and Lazio stays hot this year, buy them on StubHub. Otherwise, it could be a wait until Covid finally gets to a point where the league feels ok with allowing in enough fans and, there are enough seats available to the public, when accounting for social distancing. 

 

Keep in mind though, there was a demonstration throughout Italy, in I believe 192 locations, about the green pass (against I believe) and so this could prove to be a difficult thing to pull off, getting decent crowds into stadiums safely. Not impossible, we could be in a completely different place by January or March. I guess have a backup plan, but hopefully you won't need to implement it. I don't know if trying for Napoli would constitute a backup plan, but they have a rather notable stadium too, Naples is also a contending team at present, and there are matches in May (Sassuolo, Genoa, Torino, Spezia). Doesn't look like tickets are for sale on their website.  

 

One final football alternative is Serie B, which could be as much fun as Serie A, equally passionate. I found another team in Lazio, in Frosinone (that's the team name too) and it's accessible from Rome Termini, not a long walk from the station in Frosinone, or taxi/bus I'm sure. You'd save some money on tickets and the stadium is named after the soccer god, Diego Maradona. You may see some on the way up players, you never know. Unfortunately, their only match in May is on the 6th so that may not work with your plans (unless they have extended dates that aren't posted yet). 

 

I hope you get to do it. Just walking by the stadium in Modena, in a year when they were being promoted to Serie A, it was quite a thing to hear the fans singing, the entire stadium, was something I'd never experienced at any sporting event I've attended in NYC (which are something else) or anywhere. I also saw the fandom in Verona for their club.... wow. 

 

Keep us posted. 🙂

 

[Scottee25]

7 minutes ago, Host Bonjour said:

 

Got it, sorry for the misunderstanding, I saw Rome and Lazio, but no date and so I thought you wanted the derby. Yes, tickets for sale for only three matches so far. That sent me searching, and here's what I found, it's Inter Milan's website but addresses Serie A (in which Lazio is first place presently)

 

I found this website, which I think you may want to bookmark. It's in Italian but is their own site to buy tickets to any event, anywhere in Italy (for example, in a train station, at a tabac etc) I linked to sport.

 

Following the release of our 2021/22 Serie A calendar, fans are informed that the sale of tickets for AC Milan’s home games will take place exclusively after receipt of official authorisation and regulations from the relevant governing bodies. The Club will take care to inform fans via the official AC Milan channels,” the statement read.

 

The Serie A clubs are reportedly pushing for a scenario where the fully vaccinated will be allowed into the stadiums, as it (hopefully) would guarantee safety and wouldn’t increase the spread of COVID-19.

 

Remember, Italy was hit hard. My guess is that they are approaching things differently than perhaps, other countries are when it comes to certain sports. And it can be difficult to remember or keep track of everything, which countries are open, what are the requirements, etc. and we still all have to ride out Delta, which may or may not be more difficult in winter. 

 

If you absolutely definitely want the tickets and Lazio stays hot this year, buy them on StubHub. Otherwise, it could be a wait until Covid finally gets to a point where the league feels ok with allowing in enough fans and, there are enough seats available to the public, when accounting for social distancing. 

 

Keep in mind though, there was a demonstration throughout Italy, in I believe 192 locations, about the green pass (against I believe) and so this could prove to be a difficult thing to pull off, getting decent crowds into stadiums safely. Not impossible, we could be in a completely different place by January or March. I guess have a backup plan, but hopefully you won't need to implement it. I don't know if trying for Napoli would constitute a backup plan, but they have a rather notable stadium too, Naples is also a contending team at present, and there are matches in May (Sassuolo, Genoa, Torino, Spezia). Doesn't look like tickets are for sale on their website.  

 

One final football alternative is Serie B, which could be as much fun as Serie A, equally passionate. I found another team in Lazio, in Frosinone (that's the team name too) and it's accessible from Rome Termini, not a long walk from the station in Frosinone, or taxi/bus I'm sure. You'd save some money on tickets and the stadium is named after the soccer god, Diego Maradona. You may see some on the way up players, you never know. Unfortunately, their only match in May is on the 6th so that may not work with your plans (unless they have extended dates that aren't posted yet). 

 

I hope you get to do it. Just walking by the stadium in Modena, in a year when they were being promoted to Serie A, it was quite a thing to hear the fans singing, the entire stadium, was something I'd never experienced at any sporting event I've attended in NYC (which are something else) or anywhere. I also saw the fandom in Verona for their club.... wow. 

 

Keep us posted. 🙂

 

 

Thank you for all that information. That all makes sense. Time will tell which mandates will still be in place by May. Hopefully we have a better grip on the pandemic by the time this cruise takes place late next April. However, I'll totally understand if Italy wants to limit crows due to how the country was affected early in the pandemic.

 

It may be a hard sell to do any of those other matches. My girlfriend is not a fan 🙂 She does like to go watch the Women's National Team when they play here in Houston. BBVA Stadium (where the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash play) is just over an mile from our place so we do catch games here from time to time. but she mainly goes for the tailgating 🙂 We were originally scheduled to be in Rome for 6 nights (May 9-15) but then our Brilliance cruise was cancelled (We had already booked hotel - Penthouse Suite at Albergo del Senato and airfare - Business Class on Turkish Airlines) so we decided, not wanting to lose this trip, booked on the Odyssey which was doing the almost same itinerary (with the addition of a stop in La Spezia) except it left US 2 days earlier and arrived in Rome 2 days earlier so we simply extended our stay 2 additional days in Rome. We already had day trip to Florence and Naples planned while staying in Rome. While my girlfriend is very much looking forward to seeing Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius, I couldn't sell her on taking a trip there just to catch a football match 🙂 If we get to see Lazio play, that will be great. But if it doesn't happen due to any number of factors, there will still be plenty of other things we can see and do while in Rome! 🙂 

 

I am sure your Subway Series this weekend will be highly watched and emotional with it being the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I know I'll be watching!

[Host Bonjour]

On 9/10/2021 at 9:01 AM, Scottee25 said:

Houston Dynamo

 

I love Houston, amazing city! I thought they played in Minute Maid Park (or they used to?) my niece has gone to see them with her dad and had a lot of fun, a friend sometimes give them his season tickets (there are only two tix or my sister would go, maybe?) but tailgating is fun too. The fandom in soccer/football is something to behold. Wait until (I really hope you do) you experience in Italy. It could change everything for your girlfriend, it had a lasting impact on me.

 

On 9/10/2021 at 9:01 AM, Scottee25 said:

But if it doesn't happen due to any number of factors, there will still be plenty of other things we can see and do while in Rome!

 

After all those changes and things ultimately working out fairly well, YAYYYY, it's most important to hit the places on both of your lists and there are definitely no shortage of places to see in Roma, it's almost endless but don't overwhelm yourselves either. Find a balance. I could get lost the Forum, wander along the Tiber (I'm kind of obsessed with Castel Sant'Angelo at night) or Trastevere, Condotti, Pantheon (except conscious of how many people are waiting to get in) and spend more time seeing ancient sites, and of course shopping. It's as endless as it is ancient, the possibilities. But balance and absorbing everything is what matters most, to bring home the most meaningful experience and memories.

 

That *could* include a football match. Let's see what happens in May. 

 

And yes, thank you for the support, the Subway series has become a special experience, but the one in 2001 was positively out of body, like a salve for the city, I get goose bumps writing about it now. It didn't fix anything, but it was just what we needed at the time, because you know how uplifting sports can be, it's not just the actual game itself in the moment, but what the teamwork symbolizes, what can be accomplished together, in winning and/or "losing" and if you lose, the resilience, never giving up or quitting. You probably know how NYC fans can be (little rough sometimes?? but loyal!!!!) but in that series, the bonds were like the iron in the bridges all around the boroughs: unbreakable. 

 

So that spirit meant everything to us locally, and became a symbol of strength and unity, even to people who aren't so much into baseball, but how even in rivalries, there's strength in continuing to do something fairly simple for each other and the community. 

 

I'll keep rooting for some Italian football on your cruise. Be subtle. Has she seen Ted Lasso yet? No need to know what soccer is about, Ted Lasso went to be a soccer coach in London from Kansas and he didn't know either. That's the premise of the show. That could do the trick. 😉 And point out that Italy won the World Cup? Or just accidentally leave out Forza Italia or Azzurri, which could inevitably lead to "what's this?" Otherwise, maybe you just need to head to Via Condotti, stop in at Coccinelle or Furla, at get a nice present. 

 

Keep us posted 🙂 

 

 

[Scottee25]

32 minutes ago, Host Bonjour said:

I love Houston, amazing city! I thought they played in Minute Maid Park (or they used to?) my niece has gone to see them with her dad and had a lot of fun, a friend sometimes give them his season tickets (there are only two tix or my sister would go, maybe?) but tailgating is fun too. The fandom in soccer/football is something to behold. Wait until (I really hope you do) you experience in Italy. It could change everything for your girlfriend, it had a lasting impact on me.

 

I'll have to look into whether they used to play at Minute Maid. We have only been in Houston since 2016 so it is quite possible. When we left Michigan Houston won out as the city to move to. It's less than an hour from the Gulf, it has 2 international airports, it's the most diverse city in the US, and it has a soccer team! She actually bought me a Dynamo jersey for Xmas before we even made the move. Her biggest thing is (and it's most people's complaint about any sport they don't like) she doesn't always understand the rules. Football? Basketball? Hockey? Yep, she gets all of those. Not sure she'll ever come around on this no matter how much I try 🙂 

 

37 minutes ago, Host Bonjour said:

You probably know how NYC fans can be (little rough sometimes?? but loyal!!!!) but in that series, the bonds were like the iron in the bridges all around the boroughs: unbreakable. 

 

I actually found NYC fans to be some of the friendliest. I was there in 2007 to watch the Tigers play the Yankees at the old Yankee Stadium. On the subway people would give you 10 seconds of grief and then they would just start chatting you up. The loved to talk baseball and when I commented to some about how friendly the fans were, it never failed, they all said the same thing... "You're not a Red Sox fan!" 🙂

 

40 minutes ago, Host Bonjour said:

Has she seen Ted Lasso yet? No need to know what soccer is about, Ted Lasso went to be a soccer coach in London from Kansas and he didn't know either. That's the premise of the show. That could do the trick. 😉 And point out that Italy won the World Cup? Or just accidentally leave out Forza Italia or Azzurri, which could inevitably lead to "what's this?" Otherwise, maybe you just need to head to Via Condotti, stop in at Coccinelle or Furla, at get a nice present. 

 

I tried to get her to watch it when I had an Apple TV subscription but she never did. I have tried explaining how good of a show it really was and how little it really was about soccer. Once season 2 completes, I'll renew my subscription and try to get her to watch it with me. Not sure it will bring her around to soccer, but she does like Jason Sudekis. And never mind that they woman who owns the team also played the Septa in Game of Thrones... Shame! Shame! Shame! 🙂 

 

You also made a point about shopping... that's probably not going to happen either lol. She is really not that type of lady. Now if there is an old used bookstore? She'll spend all day in there! 😉 

[cruisemom42]

19 hours ago, Scottee25 said:

You also made a point about shopping... that's probably not going to happen either lol. She is really not that type of lady. Now if there is an old used bookstore? She'll spend all day in there! 😉 

 

Funny you should say that. There is an absolutely wonderful old (old in the "Old World" sense) bookstore near the Albergo del Senato. Mostly scholarly books and mostly not in English but so fascinating to browse through, just to see the illustrations, bindings, etc. 

 

It's called Libreria Antiquaria Borromini -- look them up on FB, they have a nice page with a number of photos.  It's only about 5 minutes on foot from the hotel.  (FYI, "libreria" in Italian means a book store and not a library as we know it...)

 

[VMax1700]

Just back to the football.......couple of years ago, we debarked in Civitavecchia and we had organised a private transfer with a few others.  I sat up front beside the driver and we spent the trip talking football.  I said that I was thinking of going to the Lazio v Roma game that was on that night.   He begged me to promise him that I would not go.  He said that there were strong rumours of ultra fights and violence.  So I watched it on TV and ate pizza instead.

[Scottee25]

7 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Funny you should say that. There is an absolutely wonderful old (old in the "Old World" sense) bookstore near the Albergo del Senato. Mostly scholarly books and mostly not in English but so fascinating to browse through, just to see the illustrations, bindings, etc. 

 

It's called Libreria Antiquaria Borromini -- look them up on FB, they have a nice page with a number of photos.  It's only about 5 minutes on foot from the hotel.  (FYI, "libreria" in Italian means a book store and not a library as we know it...)

 

That definitely looks like an interesting place. We will be sure to check it out. But if she finds a real old book store with stacks of tomes and dust, I may lose her in there for the day! 🙂 And thank you for the word explanation. I have been trying to learn some Italian before our trip. I am hoping to be a bit more proficient by the time we sail.

[Scottee25]

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Just back to the football.......couple of years ago, we debarked in Civitavecchia and we had organised a private transfer with a few others.  I sat up front beside the driver and we spent the trip talking football.  I said that I was thinking of going to the Lazio v Roma game that was on that night.   He begged me to promise him that I would not go.  He said that there were strong rumours of ultra fights and violence.  So I watched it on TV and ate pizza instead.

I would be sure to avoid such a match up. I can only imagine that rivalry. Thankfully Lazio is not playing Roma that weekend so hopefully the hostilities will be kept to a minimum 🙂

[Host Bonjour]

On 9/17/2021 at 2:48 PM, Scottee25 said:

"You're not a Red Sox fan!

 

This is all that really matters. And even there, now that the curse is lifted, and how they gave such respect to the Captain and Mariana when they were retiring, which we reciprocated when Big Papi retired, it sort of eased things a little. But not that much. My friend goes now to watch Tigers games at new Yankee stadium; last time they got swept, but he had fun.

 

So the rules in soccer still stymie me quite a bit too (it's hard to see everything happening) but I'm enjoying what all is going on, kind of how it does with hockey though I started with that when I was really young and in some ways it's similar only fewer players, ice, and I was going to say less drama but not really. They just can't throw down in soccer. And I don't think yellow/red cards would work in hockey; a few weeks in and most of the team, or a good portion of it, would be disqualified for a season. 

 

I think if she likes Jason Sudeikis, and kind of gets what soccer is, that's basically all you need to know, they tell you the rest as you go, cause the premise of the show is, Ted Lasso, aka Jason, takes the job to coach as an american football coach and doesn't know much about football, turns out, he doesn't need to, he's got his own special magic for the team, Coach Beard, the players, including Dani Rojas "football is life" and the guy who plays him was a football player! (And there are real football stars in the show too. Thierry Henry was on two weeks ago. Pep Guardiola another week.) 

 

She sounds way cool. Shopping can be dull, but it can be really interesting in Rome 😉 And now you've got the Antique Book store hook up thanks to cruisemom42. Who doesn't love a classic book shop? I'll tell you who would, Ted Lasso. (Sorry, I had too.) 

 

As to the aggressiveness of the Rome/Lazio game, well, you won't be there for it but that could be all on scale of what's out of hand? For Ranger fans, who are a tough crowd any night, it would definitely be the blue seats (nosebleed section), they're even memorialized (not sure it's the right word, but noted in the halls) in MSG. Though it's not like things are much calmer down lower, they may be slightly better dressed and drinking better but otherwise.... then everyone spills out onto the same streets afterward so depending on how things went? Being a fan in this town is not calm. Soccer fans are not calm but that's relative too, I know. I mean, don't carry a scarf supporting either team (if a visitor) and one should come out relatively unscathed. 

 

And thanks for the kind words about NYC fans. It's a true representation, yep, everyone just likes to chat, will help you get where you're going, even invite you to hang out (maybe have a drink) if you're going their way. So many people living here come from somewhere else so that's kind of front and center in a lot of people's minds, that not so long ago, they were new here too. Not as many of us lifers around here, but we feel the same way, folks coming to the city, whether visiting or relocating from everywhere, is part of what makes it sooo amazing. 

 

And Houston was an amazing choice for all those reasons! I have some people down there, I love it. Buc-ees when I first saw it, was a sight to behold. I visit Whataburger when in town, love my Torchy's. Love driving out to Galveston, going into the city, for museums and such. It's world class and has so much going for it, everything you said +. A great place to be departing and returning to for your Italy trip. I found a fish joint in Galveston I won't tell people about because it was so good, just locals, away from the beaches. You probably know it, so fresh. PM me people.

 

They have some stuff available for free, and others are subscription. Maybe you could do a limited subscription to practice? It definitely helps and makes a difference in the personal experience. Then, once you get going, there are other podcasts you can try like the News in Slow Italian w/3-4 minute snippets, "Mammia Mia: Che Italiano" also 3-4 minute snippets, and Let's Speak Italian, which at the introductory level in about 20-25 minute segments, with some grammar and vocabulary that would be relatable for travel. If you get to changing verb tenses, stop. No need to worry about that! Italians will not correct you and you wouldn't have much need for this at any rate. Looks like Apple podcasts has others I should try that Spotify doesn't have and I'll give them a go next time I'm up for it.

 

And I'll chime in once more for Ted Lasso for your girl. If only for Roy Kent. (It's a nice ditty that I can't really all of here except, Roy Kent, Roy Kent, he's here, he's there, he's every-....) And tell her I said Be A Goldfish. It's a good Lasso-ism for everyone 🙂 (She'll be asking you for a jersey. And more books!)

 

Keep well, and posting questions for the community as they arise. It's an amazing group you have here. Cruisemom could probably give you titles to look for! 🙂

[LasseKjus]

It's been 16-17 years, but I saw a Lazio match at Olympic Stadium. Ask around, people will tell you how to get there, that is what we did. From memory, there is a bus you have to take to get to the train station. It was packed. Think like 100 people on a bus designed for 30.

FWIW, we got shafted on our tickets (not that I really cared, actually). We paid 35 Euro second hand when the tickets were 1 Euro (for fan appreciation day).

It was interesting. Last home game of the season for Lazio. I had a fan try to start something with me. My buddy went to the bathroom at halftime. Everyone starts singing. Of course I don't because I don't know their song. Guy behind me gets in my face. I say, "I'm an American." He leaves me alone.

Next weekend we went to Como and Turnio for their last game of the season. Both were Serie A. Both were being relegated. Como's stadium seated about 8,000 with 1,000 in Curva Ospiti for the Turin fans. About 500 police were escorting the Turin fans to the stadium. Something would have happened if those cops weren't there. For this match, we walked up and got tickets for about 10 euro each.

[Scottee25]

8 hours ago, LasseKjus said:

It's been 16-17 years, but I saw a Lazio match at Olympic Stadium. Ask around, people will tell you how to get there, that is what we did. From memory, there is a bus you have to take to get to the train station. It was packed. Think like 100 people on a bus designed for 30.

FWIW, we got shafted on our tickets (not that I really cared, actually). We paid 35 Euro second hand when the tickets were 1 Euro (for fan appreciation day).

It was interesting. Last home game of the season for Lazio. I had a fan try to start something with me. My buddy went to the bathroom at halftime. Everyone starts singing. Of course I don't because I don't know their song. Guy behind me gets in my face. I say, "I'm an American." He leaves me alone.

Next weekend we went to Como and Turnio for their last game of the season. Both were Serie A. Both were being relegated. Como's stadium seated about 8,000 with 1,000 in Curva Ospiti for the Turin fans. About 500 police were escorting the Turin fans to the stadium. Something would have happened if those cops weren't there. For this match, we walked up and got tickets for about 10 euro each.

Thanks for the info. I have been monitoring their site and tickets are not on sale yet. Seem like they are only going on sale about 2 weeks or so before the match. We intend on walking there. It's about 5km so definitely something we can do. We'll just walk the river and browse some sights on the way there. Hopefully there won't be any issues like you witnessed.