Football

Short rest before off to France v Bielrussie (Belarus) in the Euro 2012 Qualifier at the Stade de France. Directed to ticket window. 10 Euro seats. Got in just before National Anthems. Wearing Aussie shirt but got us no special privileges. Left a few minutes before end, and got on first crowd train from Stade de France Saint Denis back to Monge.

Before Accademia had wandered down to find the soccer ticket place. Was not open, and sign + locals said it did not open Sunday. Would have to risk it at the ground. After Accademia, I went back down to ticket area, and found the place open! Met Aussie bike rider who told me Italians don't care abut customer service, they just accept crap. Had waited on line for 20 mins, ten had to show ID. Aussie/Italian biker did not have ID, and I could not but the ticket for him because I was only allowed one transaction. Bikers son walked off in a huff. Teenagers!

Took bus out to ground for Fiorentina v Parma. Only one other fan on bus so I just got out when he did and followed him. Of course, got to ground at wrong side, had to walk around stadium to my gate. Small ground with concrete rows with seats plinked on the flat bits. Very cramped - your knees poke the person in front. Sat in middle of group of Fiorentina fans, oldies and families. Fantastic to be there without the lingo! Very step terrace on end for the me fans. Behind that, hillsides with vineyards and rural houses. Brilliant! Could grasp the universal language of abusing referees via and gestures and 'the arbitraro is a ...." Started to rain, and a guy started selling ponchos for 5E. Made a killing, including my money!

Metro back to Vittoria Emanuelle. Got the soccer tickets. Paid for them and realised that they did not take off the deposit. Another tourist trap?

Lazio v Brescia exciting place to be in Stadio Olympico. Good crowd, noisy, excited. Everyone seemed to sing the Lazio song at the start of the game. That was great. Good seats. Cheered loudly when Marco Bresciano took the field. Lazio won 1:0 which put them at the top of the table. Saved an old guy from being run over by scooters.

Had dinner at recommended 'Africa' very good. I went to a bar and watched a bit of a Serie A game. Was snippets from each game, so it jumped over when something was happening. Non-stop entertainment.

VnT started off looking for the Roma soccer store we saw yesterday. Couldn't find that one, walked out of the Lazio store after being given the usual Italian customer service treatment, went to the Tourist Info box and was told of the store down the road. Reserved 2 tickets for Lazio v Brescia on Sunday afternoon at Stadio Olympico. Pick them up later.