A dream (will soon enough) come true.

[Keystone Phil]

Today, I took my first step towards achieving a dream of mine: I purchased my ticket to see the Italy vs. Malta World Cup qualifier match in Modena on September 11th (NASO) of this year. I've waited for years to see my favorite team play a match in person. It's crazy to think that it's actually happening.

A few days after that, I'll be off to check another item off my bucket list: seeing Napoli play at the San Paolo. That will really be something else.

This will be my sixth time to Italy. While the excitement before my first and second trips will always remain unmatched, this is definitely the most anticipated trip after those two. 

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

September 11th (NASO)

Gasp!

But seriously, Congratulations Phil!

[Keystone Phil]

I am waiting for my patriotism to be questioned by some morons I know.

[Senator Napoleon]

Congrats Phil!

Let me know how the trip goes.

[For Oklahoma]

UR NAWT TR00 MURICAN

anyway have fun on your trip Sounds exciting

[Lief]

Watching a foreign team play soccer on September 11th?!

Sounds like fun. I've always wanted to see the German team play.

[Big DaddyTX]

You're not going to be in America for 9/11, Phil?

Certainly, you are not America.




^ This, on the other hand IS America.

[Keystone Phil]

Watching a foreign team play soccer on September 11th?!

And the game is being played in Modena. "Oh, to honor the countless people from Modena, Italy that died on 9/11?" No, no. In memory of the Modena earthquake victims from earlier this Summer.

[So the Heroes Fall]

So this is basically Phil's equivalent to Dude Fest?

[Keystone Phil]

So this is basically Phil's equivalent to Dude Fest?

No, this won't be lame.

[Keystone Phil]

Well, my friends, I will be in the Beautiful Place soon enough (even though a severe storm is about to pound the entire East Coast as I'm waiting for my plane. Expecting a delay). You will get a little break from my posting...

Cue to the fireworks, balloon drop, confetti, Oprah crying in Grant Park...

...but I'll be checking in every so often. Keep it classy while I'm away.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Congrats, Phil.

[Swedish Cheese]

Sounds nice Phil, hope it'll be fun.
Matches against Malta are always intresting in how redicolously many goals you can beat them with. ^^

[I left.]

Sounds nice Phil, hope it'll be fun.
Matches against Malta are always intresting in how redicolously many goals you can beat them with. ^^

Even Sweden? (OK that wasn't nice...)

[Lief]

Sweden has Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the greatest player in the world, scoring goals for them.

[JulioMadrid]

In 1983, Spain beat Malta 12-1. Let's see if Italy can match that tomorrow

I hope you have a great time, Phil.

[Vasall des Midas]

Malta played its first international game on 24 February 1957 at the Empire Stadium, losing 2–3 to Austria.  (...)
Malta's first competitive draw ended 1–1 against Greece in 1970. Malta's first two competitive wins were victories of 2–0 and 2–1 at home to Greece and Iceland in European Championship qualifiers in 1975 and 1982 respectively. In 1979, Malta drew 0–0 with West Germany in the European championship. (...)
During 2005, Malta drew 1–1 against Croatia and Bulgaria. (...) In 2006, in a friendly against Japan, played for the World Cup Finals preparation in Germany, Malta managed to win 1–0. On 11 October 2006, Malta managed another competitive victory, a 2–1 triumph over Hungary in the European Championship qualifying with Andre Schembri scoring twice.
On 7 February 2007, Malta drew 1–1 with one of the hosts of Euro 2008, Austria. (...) On 8 September 2007 Malta managed another draw against Turkey in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, the game finishing 2–2. On 26 March 2008, Malta achieved its largest ever victory, a 7–1 defeat of Liechtenstein in a friendly at the Ta' Qali Stadium, with Michael Mifsud scoring five goals.  (...)
In February 2011 the side achieved a 0–0 draw against Switzerland, in which goalkeeper Justin Haber saved two penalties.

Consider yourself warned.

[Keystone Phil]

Consider yourself warned.

Don't. You. Dare.

I'll cry.

[Swedish Cheese]

Even Sweden? (OK that wasn't nice...)

Yes even Sweden. Last time we played them we won like 7-0.

Sweden has Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the greatest player in the world, scoring goals for them.

Our national team should just be renamed Zlatan. 

[Keystone Phil]

En route to Modena. Some fellow Americans got on the train at Naples and just got off at Rome. Heavy Midwestern accents and general ignorance. Some of the best quotes: "They don't eat a lot of meat here [Italy]." and "This place [Naples] isn't like home." Needless to say, they were totally overwhelmed by Naples.

[Keystone Phil]

They love to make it tense for us (though Destro's goal in the fifth minute was a relief) but a win is a win and I had a great time. Italian fans are the best!

Funny enough, I was sitting next to a guy from British Columbia. It wasn't Gabu though.