Grace in Victory, Pride in Defeat

I congratulated two Inter supporters after they took the Scudetto from us. The first was a woman close to my age who works at the café near me—radiant, humble, almost disbelieving with joy. We spoke for a few minutes, and honestly, seeing someone that happy made the loss easier to stomach. Football is cruel, but shared humanity softens it.

The second was a younger guy I occasionally run into. Smug, dismissive, almost bored by winning—as if another Scudetto was beneath his notice because Inter are simply “used to it.” By the end of the conversation, I regretted congratulating him at all. I’ll never lose sleep or start a fight over football, but I’d be lying if I said his disrespect didn't stir a brief flash of anger in me.

Napoli may not have defended our title, but this squad endured injuries, chaos, and adversity all season and still stands on the verge of Champions League qualification and a second-place finish. No small feat. Not even close. Forza Napoli Sempre!

Brooklyn FC Kicks Off in Coney Island with Opening-Day Victory

The subway poster that first caught my eye

On an overcast Sunday afternoon, March 8, a few friends and I headed to Maimonides Park in Coney Island for Brooklyn FC’s inaugural match in the USL Championship.

Arriving early paid off—when the gates opened, we were literally the first fans inside.

The afternoon began almost by accident. A few weeks earlier, I had noticed an advertisement for the match in a subway station and mentioned it to friends. Before long, we were standing outside the gate on opening day.

Founded in 2024, Brooklyn FC has adopted colors—black, brown, and taupe—said to reflect the borough itself: the brownstone buildings, the limestone of the Brooklyn Bridge, and perhaps even the blacktop streets and tar-beach rooftops of its neighborhoods.

Roughly 1,000 people turned out for the occasion. Fans were welcomed with free hats, stickers, a hot dog, and a non-alcoholic drink. I added a scarf to the collection.

The match delivered its own piece of history in the 26th minute when Carlos Obregón Jr. converted a penalty, giving Brooklyn a 1–0 victory over visiting Indy Eleven. The team celebrated beneath the towering Parachute Jump along the boardwalk—one of Coney Island’s most recognizable landmarks.

What struck me most was the simple pleasure of finally having a local club worth supporting. It’s the first American team I’ve felt inclined to follow since the original New York Cosmos. I briefly considered rooting for the modern Cosmos—until I learned they now play across the river in Paterson, New Jersey.

Forza Brooklyn!

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, March 9th, Feast of Santa Francesca Romana

First at the gate

(L) The defunct Parachute Jump, a historic landmark along the Coney Island Boardwalk. (R) A sticker bearing the team's logo, which resembles the Brooklyn Bridge

A complimentary baseball cap given to fans

We broke our Lenten fast with a free Nathan's Famous hotdog

Brooklyn’s newest firm arrives properly kitted out

(L) Our pal Rocco was chosen to escort the players onto the field and serve as a ball boy. (R) Later, getting a little too rowdy, Rocco showed me a yellow card.

Watching both teams warm up before kickoff

A look at the stadium from the field

The historic goooooooooal by Obregón Jr.

Action in front of the home end beneath the Curva Sud

Ball boy Rocco gets his moment to shine

Full time: Brooklyn FC 1-0 Indy Eleven

Brooklyn Win!

After the match, Rocco Romeo and his teammates greeted young fans and signed autographs

Napoli Crowned Supercoppa Italiana Champions

With a commanding 2–0 victory over Bologna, Napoli have lifted the Supercoppa Italiana, adding yet another prestigious honor to the club’s storied history. Displaying composure, quality, and championship mentality, Napoli controlled the match from start to finish, delivering a performance worthy of silverware. Congratulations to the players, staff, and supporters on a well-deserved triumph and a memorable night for the Partenopei.

Forza Napoli Sempre!

They Ruined It

Among my friends, it’s a running joke that I think everything has been ruined—intellectual properties, institutions, pastimes, et cetera. “They ruined it” has basically become my catchphrase. So when they asked how the Mets game I attended was, they already knew the answer.

Growing up, I went to more sporting events than I can count: Jets, Giants, Yankees, Mets, Cosmos, Rangers, Knicks. Even the Cyclones and Metrostars made the list. But over time, I lost interest in American sports altogether; the commercialization, sanitization, and ideological weaponization of the games ruined them for me.

To give you an idea of how out of touch I am, I only just learned at the park that there’s now a pitch clock and a designated hitter in the National League?! My attention has long since wandered elsewhere. These days, I follow only European football, above all Napoli, and, whenever I can, the occasional amateur contests, including la joute nautique, scherma, and the colorful pali and regattas of Italy.

Still, I broke my moratorium and went to Citi Field with my family. I wasn’t there for the Mets, but for the company. What my father and uncles could once afford on a regular basis for us kids—tickets, parking, food, souvenirs—is now financially impossible to replicate.

The decline showed itself even before we got inside. In the parking lot, security said no tailgating—not even tossing a football around. This was so alien to me, I thought they were kidding. They weren’t.

My first time inside Citi Field, I’ll admit the stadium itself was impressive. But the next sign of decline hit me at the concession stands. Whatever happened to peanuts, Cracker Jack, hot dogs, pretzels, cotton candy, beer, and soda? Now it’s Fiesta burgers, General Tso’s chicken, fondue, sushi, curry patties—you name it. It was all a little too effete for my taste.

It wasn't over there. The nonstop blare from the sound system and giant videoboard was relentless. Incessant gimmicks—games of chance, dance routines, music, fan cams—distracted from the actual game. Worst of all was the manufactured crowd energy: instructions telling people when to cheer, like Pavlovian cues. There was something vaguely Orwellian about it all.

Not everything was bad. A few charms remained: Mr. and Mrs. Met taking photos with kids, hearing about the “Grimace Seat” in right-field, and, of course, seeing the iconic red apple rise after a Mets home run. But even these couldn’t disguise how overproduced and dumbed-down the whole experience has become.

Happily, the Mets won. If nothing else, I hope the kids will look back and fondly remember their old uncle and their fathers at the ballpark, the way I do mine.

~ By Giovanni di Napoli, September 3rd, Feast of St. Pius X

Congratulations to the Viola Family and Their Victorious Panthers

Concept logo by New York Scugnizzo

There are moments in sports that transcend the game—when determination, strategy, grit, and leadership converge to carve history into stone—or in this case, into the Stanley Cup. Last night was one of those moments, as the Florida Panthers clinched their second consecutive championship, prevailing over the Edmonton Oilers in a hard-fought final.

At the heart of this triumph stands the Viola family, who have quietly, steadily, and passionately guided the franchise toward greatness.

Three cheers to the entire Viola family, whose stewardship has delivered not only back-to-back titles but also a renewed spirit to South Florida hockey. Winning one Stanley Cup is a dream; winning two in a row? That’s a statement.

They’ve transformed the Panthers from underdogs into a dynasty in the making.

Go Cats Go!

Napoli’s Triumphant Return to Glory

Anema e Core

Siamo Noi
Siamo Noi
I Campioni d'Italia
Siamo Noi

In a season that will be remembered by Neapolitans for years to come, SSC Napoli have officially been crowned Serie A champions for 2024-25, after a thrilling final match in which they defeated Cagliari 2-0. The city of Naples has erupted with joy as Antonio Conte’s men secured their place in the annals of Italian football, marking the club's second league title in three seasons and its fourth overall.

The Scudetto represents a significant achievement for a city whose football identity has long been intertwined with pride, passion, and perseverance. On streets adorned with murals of Maradona, Naples now welcomes a new generation of heroes who have brought joy and unity to a city that lives and breathes the beautiful game.

As fireworks illuminate the Bay of Naples and supporters drape themselves in sky blue, the message is clear: Napoli are champions in Italy once again! This is not just a triumph of football—it is a triumph of spirit, of resilience, and of a city whose dreams are realized once more.

Forza Napoli Sempre, Campioni d’Italia 2024–25! Forza PSG!

Let's Go Gabagools!

A friend recently attended a Staten Island FerryHawks game and brought me back a funny hat. It seems that every year, the FerryHawks, a professional minor-league baseball team in the North Division of the Atlantic League, hold an Italian Heritage Night at SIUH Community Park, where they wear alternate jerseys and play as the Staten Italy Gabagools. While I find the cap quite amusing, I cannot bring myself to wear the tricolor, even as a joke. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I told her that if I ever receive anything with the Italian flag, I will send it back.

My Latest Acquisition: S.S.C. Napoli’s Campione D’Italia 2022-2023 Stamp

Sarò con te,
E tu non devi Mollare,
Abbiamo un sogno nel cuore,
Napoli torna campione! *

It took just over a year, but I finally acquired an MNH 2023 postage stamp commemorating S.S.C. Napoli’s third Scudetto in the 2022-2023 Serie A campaign. Designed by artist Gaetano Ieluzzo and printed by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato SpA, the stamp was issued by the Poste Italiane. Slightly superstitious when it comes to sports, I hope the timing of its arrival bodes well for this season’s league title. Forza Napoli Sempre!

* I’ll be with you,
And you must not give up,
We've got a dream in our heart,
Napoli, become a champion again! ~ Napoli football chant

Go Cats Go!

Generally not a fan of professional sports, especially American sports, the only U.S. teams I would deign to follow today are Rocco Commisso’s New York Cosmos (if they’re ever relaunched) and Vincent Viola’s Florida Panthers. The former is out of sentimentality for my childhood team and love for the “beautiful game,” aka football (American: soccer), and the latter is out of respect, loyalty, and admiration for the proud Italian American ownership, whose munificence extends far and wide.

I’m afraid the continued modernization, globalization, and sanitization of professional sports, not to mention cringe player antics and acquiescence to whatever the “latest thing” is, leaves me cold. Increasingly unwatchable, Serie A and Napoli were the last holdouts, however the atmosphere and mentality of Italian football (Italian: calcio) have changed so much in recent years that I’m finding it less compelling or relatable. Even after winning our third Scudetto (2022-2023), I couldn’t do more than check the scores last season (2023-2024). Luckily, my decision to spurn the matches spared me the pain of watching that miserable campaign. Finishing in 10th place, it was the worst title defense in Serie A history.

Unlike my steadfast allegiance to Napoli, which is based on sociopolitical fealty to my ancestral capital and a sense of solidarity with the diehard Neapolitan tifosi, my rooting for Florida in the Stanley Cup Final is based solely (as I have already mentioned) on respect, loyalty, and admiration for the Viola family. In the case of Napoli, footballers, coaches, and owners come and go, but the city they represent is eternal and all that really matters to me. They can languish in Serie C (Lega Pro) and I will still support them. On the other hand, my support for the Panthers is contingent on the ownership, not any esprit de corps with Floridians or fondness for the team. If the franchise were ever to change hands, so would my support. It’s that simple.

Until professional sports brings back something I can identify with and enjoy I will continue to entertain myself, whenever possible, with “alternative,” amateur, and more traditional sports, like water jousting (la joute nautique), fencing (scherma), and coursing (caccia), among others. Give me the Palio di Siena, the Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare, or Calcio Storico Fiorentino over the Super Bowl, or any other over-hyped commercialized cup final, any day of the week. Forza Napoli Sempre! Go Cats Go!

~ Giovanni di Napoli, June 23rd, Feast of Santa Agrippina

Regno Delle Due Sicilie F.A. Kits and Sportwear Available at Givova Merchandising

Shop at merchandising.givovashopping.it

Quartieri Spagnoli

Several of our Sanfedisti brethren are concurrently vacationing in Southern Italy and promised to send us photos. The latest batch just arrived from the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarters) in Napoli. We're still celebrating our third scudetto—Forza Napoli Sempre!

A Look at the Napoli Scudetto Block Party Outside Ribalta Ristorante in New York City

Rosario got the party started

After God, Naples.*

After Mass, Real Partenopea returned to Ribalta Ristorante in Manhattan Sunday afternoon to enjoy another delicious Neapolitan meal and watch our beloved Napoli finally lift the championship trophy. Our little troop nestled in among the throng of jubilant supporters who gathered from far and wide to watch Gli Azzuri’s final match of the season against Sampdoria at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples. As the official Napoli Club NYC, Ribalta was the perfect place to go, outside the Capital itself, to celebrate this historic moment. Grazie ragazzi e Forza Napoli Sempre!

(L) Detail of the apse mural inside Our Lady of Peace Church.
(R) Real Partenopea Brooklyn's "Festa Scudetto" invitation

Tifosi gathered en masse to celebrate Napoli's historic victory

Napoli's triumph was celebrated with much fanfare

Roberto Colella

Angelo Venuto

Partygoers danced in the streets

"The South will Rise Again!"

We are the champions!

Everyone had a chance to lift the trophy

Hands down, Ribalta makes the best pizza in NYC

We can't have pizza without beer

Napoli's number one fans

Giuseppe and John

A closer look at John's flair

We are rooting against Fiorentina, Roma and Inter. One down, two to go

The ultimate vanity plate

* Neapolitan slogan quoted from The Passion and the Fashion edited by Steve Redhead, Avebury, 1993, p.93