A Milanista Forever

Many of us have a favorite team of one sport or another which we support through out our lives for many reasons that range from perhaps their being from our hometown or because we liked one of their players or they won a game that impressed us and it was at that point that we dedicated all our desires to seeing them win as often as possible. For my part there have been many teams which I supported in the past with my hopes of seeing them win along with my cheers that they might proof themselves the best in the sport they practiced. Regarding these teams they ranged from the Boston Celtics (basketball) during the days of Larry Bird to the San Francisco 49ers (American Football) in the days of Joe Montana to the New York Rangers (hockey) till this very day; it being after they beat the New York Islanders by 4-2 in the 1979 playoffs that I became a fan.

Regarding however my reasons for becoming a fan of AC Milan, they as a matter of fact are connected to their one time great player by the name of Gianni (Giovanni) Rivera; whom I sometimes suspect I was even named after. As my name is Gianni which in fact can be a short form of the name Giovanni yet need not be; much like what the name Frank is to Franklyn or John to Jonathan. As for Gianni Rivera, it was this player who impressed me most of all of those greats to comprise the Italian national team which in 68 won the European Cup of nations as well as got to the world cup final in 1970. It being there in the quarterfinals where Gianni Rivera came on as a substitute for Mazzola and not only scored a goal but set up another for Gigi Riva while coming ever so close on a shot that hit Mexico’s crossbar. Mexico being a team Italy defeated by 4-1. Gianni Rivera however would impress me most of all in the semifinal where he scored Italy’s fourth goal in a now legendary game that saw Italy defeat Germany in overtime by a score of 4-3. This being a match that had everything but above all brought Italy back to the finals which unfortunately they would go on to loose to Brazil by 4-1 in a game in which Gianni Rivera came on with very little time remaining and with Italy already exhausted and behind by 3-1.

It was after having seen footage of Rivera play in the 1970 World Cup that I tried to find out as much as I could about him which naturally included what team he had played for. It being while reading about Rivera that I came to not only discover AC Milan but become a fan of theirs which like their archrivals Inter Milan had also won two European Cup Championships. In all truth I can not say that I became a fan of theirs for any reason other than the fact that Rivera had played for them yet it was when watching them play that I came to see the kind of football I enjoyed watching.

As for my relationship with AC Milan, it would go on to provide many great moments yet the first and perhaps greatest one was in 1989. This a year in which they defeated Real Madrid by 5-0 on their way to becoming European Champion for the third time. I would go on to see them win other championships and become one of the most successful teams in the history of the game yet it was that particular win in Milan against Real that made me feel great about being a Milanista who supported his team through it all.

In conclusion I must add that if there be a team which I always support above the rest regardless of weather they win or not or who may be playing for them at the time it is AC Milan as I have been a Milanista since the late 70s. It being since this time that I have seen them win the Champions League (previously called European Cup) five times as well as loose in the final three times; in games that were decided by so little yet it was not mine to rejoice in their triumph. Naturally along with the Champions League I have also witnessed them win the World Cup for teams on a number of occasions; the last time being in 2007 when they defeated Boca Juniors by a score of 4-2. This being a grand year as I also got to see them gain a certain measure of revenge on Liverpool whom they defeated 2-1 in the final yet all this was made more spectacular as it was at the start of the season that much talk was going about that they not only would not be playing in the champions league but quite possibly not even in serie “A”. All of which coming from a match fixing scandal similar in nature to the one which had seen them get sent to serie “B” back in 1982. That being a year which truly tested my devotion toward them as I saw them sink to a lower division yet it was then that I discovered for myself what I had known all along; this that a fan is he or she who stays with a team in both times that are of triumph and defeat. It being like a friendship which lasts through out both the good times and their opposites.

As a footnote to this article I will add that though AC Milan have won the champions League seven times they are not the team that has won this title the most times; as this honor goes to Real Madrid who has won it nine times yet there is one factor to consider in this. It being that Real Madrid defeated AC Milan by 3-2 in overtime in the only Champions League final they have played up till date. Naturally one could claim that either team could have won a match which ends in overtime with a one goal difference and if it had been AC Milan on that day to come out on top than it would be AC Milan to have won eight titles along with Real Madrid who would have the same number of Champion League titles.

About the Author

My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society” which is now available on Amazon.

Basketball: Italy vs USA 2004 mix

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT MED MENS NEW ITALY $24.10

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT SMALL MENS NEW ITALY $31.58

Andrea Bargnani Raptors Italy ’09 Panini Classics Timeless Tributes GOLD #’D /50 $3.00

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT XXL MENS NEW ITALY $24.89

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT SMALL NEW ITALY $33.18

ANDREA BARGNANI Team Italy SIGNED 8×10 Basketball Photo $59.28

1969-70 KNICKERBOCKERS Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19285 $3.50

A GAME FOR GIANTS Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19287 $3.50

A LABORATORY SPORT Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19293 $3.50

DAVE COWENS Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19279 $3.50

GEORGE MCGINNIS Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19290 $3.50

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19281 $3.50

NATE ARCHIBALD Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19286 $3.50

REFEREE’S SIGNALS Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19288 $3.50

REFEREEING Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19292 $3.50

THE UCLA DYNASTY Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19289 $3.50

USA-USSR Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19176 $3.50

WALT FRAZIER Basketball Italian Information Italy Trading Card #19294 $3.50

’87 Panini-Italy Michigan Spartans Lakers Magic Johnson $35.00

05-06 SAGE PREMIUM BLACK RC AUTO ANGELO GIGLI ITALY /99 $1.99

BASKETBALL – ITALY 1999 Cancel on Cover VF $9.99

Tie Rack Disney, basketball tie made in Italy $13.75

Large Basketball Medal – 2007 MAC PEE-WEE – Made in Italy – Unknown Metal $4.99

ANDREA BARGNANI Team Italy SIGNED 8×10 Basketball Photo $59.00

vintage Lotto shoes SYN basket basketball italy Sz 9 $99.00

2004 SAGE SIGNED CARD AUTO BENO UDRIH MILANO ITALY $3.15

Andrea Bargnani Toronto Raptors Italy 2005 Showcase Prospects Pre-Rookie NM $0.99

Andrea Bargnani Toronto Raptors Italy 12 Different NBA Card Lot $2.00

96-97 Collectors Choice JERRY STACKHOUSE Italian ITALY $5.10

ANDREA BARGNANI ITALY RAPTORS 06-07 OVATION RC #63/999 $3.00

BASKETBALL – ITALY Aerogram – Airletters Unused VF $12.00

*BASKETBALL Italy Trip Argentina Uruguay Chile Medal $30.00

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT ADULT LGE NEW ITALY $31.58

Michael Jordan 95-96 Rare Italian Sticker Mini Colectors Choice Upper Deck Italy $100.23

6 trade cards Olympics 1936 Italy India USA Basketball $6.90

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT XXL MENS NEW ITALY $31.58

ANDREA BARGNANI ITALY 06-07 TOPPS RC 313/579 RAPTORS $3.00

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT XL MENS NEW ITALY $24.89

NBA TORONTO RAPTORS BARGNANI ADIDAS BASKETBALL JERSEY SHIRT XL MENS NEW ITALY $31.58