The one and only Udinese fan who made the trip to watch his team beat Sampdoria 2-0 last night revealed what it felt like to be celebrating alone.
The one and only Udinese fan who made the trip to watch his team beat Sampdoria 2-0 last night revealed what it felt like to be celebrating alone.
Only one ticket was sold by the visiting club and the lonely figure in the vast Marassi stands has been identified as 37-year-old wine merchant Arrigo Brovedani.
“I was in Genoa for a work meeting and usually take a trip round the area around this time of year, but it was pure coincidence Udinese were playing there at the same time. So I took advantage and organised a ticket,” he told udinetoday.it.
“If I am in a city where Udinese happen to be playing, clients tend to send me free tickets, as they know my passion for the team. This time it wasn’t possible and I had to sort it out myself.
“It wasn’t easy, as I had to buy a ‘Fan Passport’ to buy a ticket for an away game and it takes 18 days to go through, so I wrote to Sampdoria in order to make sure it would be alright and they were very helpful.
“I made the journey to Genoa, arrived at the stadium and only then did I realise I was the only Udinese fan there! At that point the stewards asked if I wanted to sit in the main stand, but I insisted on going into the away end, seeing as I had paid for that ticket.
“I had the Udinese flag with me, as I carry it everywhere in my car. The Samp fans applauded me after we scored and they were really very kind. The stewards offered me coffee, then the Samp directors arrived to give me a team jersey.
“At the final whistle when I left, Samp fans came towards me and offered me a drink, complimenting me on my passion. It’s a shame I couldn’t stay long, as I had to run due to work commitments.
“I don’t know when my next away game will be. For now I am concentrated on work and continue travelling round Italy.”
Thank you to www.udinetoday.it for the photograph.