In un periodo in cui la scena sportiva nella nostra città sembra aver perso mordente un pò in tutti gli sport, ad infiammare i cuori dei tifosi ci pensa il Football Americano con il derby (il 30 maggio all’Arcoveggio) tra le due squadre di Bologna: i Warriors ed i Doves. Saranno le colombe ad avere la meglio sui guerrieri, o i guerrieri impediranno alle colombe di prendere il volo? Abbiamo intervistato due giocatori americani delle due squadre per chiedergli questo e non solo…

Name: Chris Manderino

Age: 26

College: University of California, Berkeley

Position: Running Back/ Linebacker

Current team: Doves

Previous football experience: 18 years of football experience including 52 consecutive starts at the University of California. After college I played on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad for 2 years and then was in training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL).

In the USA your game is very popular, how do you feel playing here? 
I love playing here in Italy. For me, it makes football fun again. In the US, football became too much of a business for me. I like the purity of the sport. Here in Italy, football is still in its purest form. There is great comraderie and good competition. I’ve had to adjust too many things, but overall, I have truly enjoyed my experience. 

What do you think is the lack of American Football in Italy?
The biggest difference between football in the US and football here in Italy is mostly the fundamentals of the game. The guys here in Italy don’t have the same knowledge and experience of the game as most do in the US. Therefore, there is still a lot to teach them, especially about technique and strategy and overall football knowledge. Since guys here in Italy typically start playing football much later than those in the US they are still all learning very much about the game

Do you consider the game against the Warriors like the others or do you feel it has something special?
The game against the Warriors is definitely something special. It was the first game the guys told me about when I arrived here in Italy. It is important because it gives the winner bragging rights for the next year of being the best team in the city. I know from talking with the guys, that this game is a big rivalry for many reasons. Several of our players used to play for the Warriors and now want the chance to avenge some personal vendettas they have. I anticipate it being a very good battle.

Which is the best and the worst weapon of your team?
Our best weapon is playing together as a team, everyone doing his part for the good of the team and coming together as one. When we play together, we are a very good team. Our worst weapon is ourselves. Sometimes, we lose our focus and have stupid penalties and mistakes that can be very costly.

Who is gonna win the game?
The team who wants it more. The team who doesn’t quit and keeps fighting for 4 quarters will rise victorious at the end of this battle. 

What do you want to say to your opponent?
I can say good luck and we will see who will be the one to be sliced like an apple…us or them…on May 30th, we will see.

Name: Caleb Meyer

Age: 24

College: The University of Findlay

Position: Quarterback and Safety

Current team: Warriors

Previous football experience: this is my 14th season involved with football

In the USA your game is very popular, how do you feel playing here? 
I would say that football here is in its purest form because everybody plays for the ebjoyment of the game.  Nobody is looking to make money or to go on to the next level. The guys all play because they love the game.

What do you think is the lack of American Football in Italy?
American football in Italy has been a great experience for me.  It is not at the same level as in America because soccer is the sport of Italy. Young boys grow up in America with football just like boys in Italy grow up with soccer.  The competition is still very good though and there are many Italians who are excellent football players.

Do you consider the game against the Doves like the others or do you feel it has something special?
I feel the game against the Doves is different than the others because it is a battle for bragging rights in the city of Bologna.  It is a cross town rivalry that means a little  more than all the other games.

Who is gonna win the game?
The game will be a battle to the finish but in the end, the Warriors will come out on top.

What do you want to say to your opponent?
I want to say good luck to my opponent and have a good game.

Giovanni Bonelli

(Copyright 2009 - Versione integrale dell’articolo apparso su da BLOGmag n. 24)