More than just a flag

[Billy_Montreal]

"More than just a flag on my car"

Yesterday was an incredible day for many Italians all over the world and despite being thousands of miles away from my nation of origin it was one of the most emotional and joyous days of my life.
While I love this country (Canada) and the opportunities it has afforded my parents who immigrated from Italy and myself being fortunate enough to be born and raised here I like many sons/daughters of Italian immigrants never forgot Italy. We have been getting much 'heat' lately for the inane amount of Italians driving with a flag on their cars during the World Cup but this morning when I drove to work and clipped my flag on my window it felt like ...magic
LIke many nations Canada esp. Quebec has many ignorant people who reminded me since I was a child that my name ends with a vowel...that I am a 'visitor' to this land and that my parents were nothing but immigrants ... politicians have blamed the failure to Quebec to seperate from Canada on 'ethnics and money' ...a successful Italian is often asked 'so .... what business are you in' followed by a 'wink' and despite attaining three university degrees I am sometimes asked 'Are you going to collect money today' because I have a suit on (for work). As I said this land has been wonderful to many and I love it but it also made us remember WHERE we are from and WHO we are...yesterday as 60,000 (yes sixty) clamored in Little Italy some snickered out of jealousy some out of spite and some out of sheer ignorance but none of us noticed ... older generations such as my Father had tears streaming down their eyes remembering as my Father says "the hardest day of my life...leaving on a ship and watching Italy in the background almost 40 years ago" or maybe they thought of their childhood or simply the pain as a fan they endured watching Italy fall apart in the second half in 1970 against Brazil...Baresi reduced to tears in Palo Alto, California in 1994 or the misery of watching the team with heart go down at home in 1990...whatever it was, for a few hours yesterday Calciopoli took a backseat, Juventini I barely spoke to yelled "Grande Pirlo" when they saw me and Interisti ran to high five me ... the 'scenery' and festivities in Italy must have been beyond words but the pride of an Italian overseas celebrating among ourselves was bonding, heartwarming and magical

GRAZIE RAGAZZI :proud:

[Vadim]

This made me want to be Italian :proud:

Bravo Italia, and bravo Billy, for a wonderful post :clap:

For the tournament, like you, I did not hate Juventini or Interisti and Cannavaro is know one of my favorite players.

[Christopher]

Billy I was in Little Italy in Manhattan, and although it seems the Italian community has gained more acceptance here in the states then in Quebec, I will tell you pride in our heritage was busting at the seems . . people were everywhere drapped in flags, or in the Azzurri blue . . it was a great party and a great day. For an area such as little Italy in Manhattan to have that is incredible considering that each year it seems that little Italy shrinking is size and population. What really made the day special to me was that I got a phone call from my Grandfather . . . he was so over joyed, and it was great to hear it in his voice since it was he and his siblings whom where forced to assimilate into the American way of life if they ever wanted to succeed in the United States . . . it was as if for a moment they gained it all back.

[SANT]

I was driving back to my office after a business meeting, going 80 mph (around 130K/hr.) when I saw a car with a big italian flag... somehow we ended up side by side, I slided my passenger seat window (I was on the left lane) and we started singing

"Fratelli d'Italia, l'Italia se desta...."

[AC Milan Ottawa]

We had similar scenes in Little Italy (Preston St), in Ottawa. Within 20 seconds of Grosso's penalty the street was filled with thousands of fans, who made their way out of cafes, resturants and bars to celebrate. I joined the celebration after the trophy presentation. The best part for me was seeing Italian-Canadians, young and old dancing and celebrating the victory together. It was a beutiful scene, repeated in many cities around the world with a large Italian Diaspora.

[Franco6]

In Malta there was a street party and I celebrated till 3.30am.. I'll post some pics later.

[hitmannq8]

I have video's of celebrations in Little Italy in Montreal after the Ukraine game... I was so happy that I jumped up on a van and waved the Italian flag.. So many people ask me why I support Italy so much that I cry when they lose and lead the celebrations when they win and I havent even been to Italy and have nothing to do with the country.. I just dont understand why I love this country so much..

I was in Kuwait during the final. As soon as Grosso scored the winning penalty, I sprinted to my car with my huge Italian flag and went to the streets. As u all may have guessed, there isnt much Italians in kuwait but there are supporters. I was the first car onto the streets, and asked my brother to drive while I went out of the sunroof waving the flag. Soon after, 2 or 3 cars joined. After about 30 minutes, we were more than 60 cars. Even in a country like Kuwait where there are no Italians, we managed to enjoy this victory. Forza Azzuri.

[NestaIsKing]

350,000+ people on St. Clair on Toronto. Plus another estimated 75,000 on the other side on College Street.

What a party, and great post Billy.

[Rapini]

350,000+ people on St. Clair on Toronto. Plus another estimated 75,000 on the other side on College Street.

What a party, and great post Billy.
Oh my God was that ever beautiful, I couldn't walk there were so many people....everyone was loving us and asian people were taking pictures of us :delol: with out megaphone shouted and screaming and getting excited with thousands upon thousands of other people! People on the roofs in the alleys in the street dancing playing football you could barely breathe!

[Hasan Rossonero]

I grew up around Italians all my life.

I started supporting the Azzurri in 1990, when I was 11 years old. I have lived and died with them ever since.

I was crying with joy when Italy won. In Canada there are tons of Italians and I celebrated with them. I was there with two of my close Italian friends. It was a fantastic time.

I have learned a fair bit of Italian and will try to convey my feelings, even a month and a bit after the euphoria has subsided (it hasn't for me, I watch the semi-final and Grosso's penalty kick everyday).

Dopo 24 anni, siamo Campioni Del Mondo! Non ci credo! Ho realizzato il mio sogno. Forza Italia!