Calcio Catania's New Offense

As much as we are trying to make a dent in the Italian sports scene with our efforts in the Italian Football League in general and the Elephants Catania American Football Team specifically, we know deep down inside that Italy will ALWAYS be a calcio, i.e. soccer, nation.

Catania's Serie A calcio team is the pride of the city.  The community's spirit rises and falls with every breakaway, team song, penalty, fake injury, opposing fan's insult and occasional goal. 

The Calcio Catania Team's Logo

With Matt Epperson at last season's Udinese game 

Matt and I caught Calcio Catania fever before Jason Johnson and Brandon Bennett arrived in Catania.  Through the efforts of our buddy, Gustavo, we were able to secure two tickets in the Curva Nord section of Catania's stadium.

At the time we did not know, and Gus was careful not to tell us, that this is where ALL the Catania Crazies sit and watch their beloved red and powder blue striped team cavort.

It was a life changing moment...

A GREAT last second Catania victory!

Why else would a player take off his jersey on the field?

Weeks later, we were still PROUD to pose next to Calcio Catania graffiti while flashing CURVA NORD signs!

This morning I woke up to a cup of Laurie's delicious coffee and started to read our local paper, the Ventura County Star.  As I turned to page B2 of the sports section, there it was!  An associated Press article on Calcio Catania's latest offensive, cutting edge strategy guaranteed to score a goal EVERY time it is used.

I can't wait to share this today with Gonzo Rodriguez and Brandon Fuchs, Rio Mesa H.S.'s girls and boys soccer coaches respectively.  Implemented properly I think the Spartans have the inside track to this winter's Pacific View League titles!!!

Here is the news release that tells of the future of calcio in Europe.

Italian soccer makes a fashion statement: Players drop shorts to block goalkeeper's view

By Associated Press

3:16 PM EST, November 17, 2008

ROME (AP) _ In the latest fashion statement out of Italy, soccer players are dropping their shorts to score goals.

Catania, a team in the country's top division, unveiled the new look while taking a free kick. The players lined up in a wall and dropped their shorts in an effort to block the goalkeeper's vision.

The Sicilian team carried out the maneuver to perfection Sunday. Three players dropped their shorts practically to their knees so Torino goalie Matteo Sereni couldn't see the kick by Giuseppe Mascara, who scored during Catania's 3-2 victory.

Catania is coached by Walter Zenga, a former goalkeper on Italy's national team.

"This is a strategy that Zenga tries continually in training," Pietro Lo Monaco, the club's chief executive, told RAI state radio Monday.

Former referees coordinator Paolo Casarin called the move "unsportsmanlike and in bad taste."

"It's a trick that should not be tolerated anymore by the referees," he said.

Lo Monaco replied: "A trick? I wouldn't say so. It's up to the referee to decide if it should be penalized, otherwise I don't see where the problem is. ... Good taste is relative."