The CATANIA ELEPHANTS are headed for the Italian Football League's Super Bowl!
"Cee Twice" gets the team fired up before the game
With a passionate and hard-fought 27-14 semi-final victory over the Bergamo Lions, the Catania Elephants are on their way to play for the Italian League Championship. The victory is symbolic in many ways, including the club's first victory over Italy's most storied franchise, but most importantly is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches in Sicily!
The journey to this point is a great story in itself. The team was founded back in the 1980s, with nothing more than a few guys who had seen some NFL games on TV. Slowly the team grew in numbers and experience, which isn't easy in a country head-over-heels for soccer. When I joined the Elephants two years ago to begin my own "playing for pizza" odyssey, it was the first time the team would be welcoming American imports to the team and moving to Italy's top division. That year was a critical jump in experience for the team -- playing teams like Bergamo, Parma, and Bolzano for the first time. Yet we stood toe-to-toe with everyone, making it all the way to the semifinals. But more importantly, it showed the guys that we could compete at this level, and now in just the third year of IFL play, the Elephants have fulfilled its long-time dream by making it to the Italian SuperBowl!
A rowdy crowd was hyped up and ready to cheer on the Elephants, complete with some "Pink Elephant Special Signs!"
For me, it was great to be back in Sicily and getting to be a part of this historic day. The team knows how much they mean to me personally, and it was also fun to be reunited with a former Arizona QB - Richard Kovalchek - who is now leading the Elephants.
The defense set the tone early by stopping the Lions on the first drive of the game, and the offense started rolling from there - racing out to a 19-0 lead. Richard was spreading the ball around to a bunch of receivers, and doing it with his legs as well. Bergamo got a late TD with just seconds to go before the half to make the score 19-6 at the break.
Elephants on the attack, still running a variation of the system we installed two years ago
It wouldn't be Italy without "Magic Spray"
In the 3rd quarter, the Elephants got the ball first and drove the length of the field, chewing up almost the entire quarter before Richard ran it in from about 15 yards out. This gave them a comfortable 27-6 lead, although in Italy, nothing is ever over!
4th quarter!
The Lions scored halfway through the 4th to make it a two-score game, but the Elephants were able to march on another long drive that took the clock down to under 2 minutes. The D then stepped up with a huge interception by "Cee Twice" who probably gets his great athletic ability by sharing a nickname with me. At this point, the game was over and the celebration was on!!!
Sealing the victory
A long time in the making for Il Presidente Davide
A well deserved victory!
POST GAME CELEBRATION
He's been waiting a long time to wear this shirt... Fortunato "Lucky" has been a member of the Elephants since Italy became a country back in 1861.
The greatest thing about playing and living in Catania is that it truly is a familia. Many teams (if not all) talk about being a family, but rarely do they actually live it out. Here, everyone involved with the team rallies around the Elephants, and victories like this turn into monstrous pizza parties and nights out. About 50 Elephants and Pink Elephants (WAGs in other parts of the world) went to my favorite pizza joint in Aci Castello, Jonica, for a great 4 hour dinner.
MAJOR JUMP PICTURE!!!
After this, it was off to the now infamous Fondo Bianco - one of the "American" style bars in downtown Catania. Owner Attilio has become a huge supporter of the team, and his 100 flaming shots have become a staple for post-game celebrations.
Attilio preparing to welcome the team
Why wouldn't the pope be in the house?
SUPERBOWL!!!
Congrats Elephants -- I'm so proud of you!
JJ
2 comments:
Very cool. And I'm sure Davide will understand about the multiple injuries suffered in the taking of the jump photo.
No Injuries, we are in great shape or we were just too happy to feel the pain ;-)
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