Not really a soccer fan....

I had never really been a soccer fan...my dad had attempted to get us to watch it when we were younger to no avail perhaps the lack of points in scoring that i believe to be the sports main drawback. After the world cup and Ching's infatuation with Cristiano Ronaldo i began to watch a lot of matches at my wife's behest. I found it to be a bit entertaining but have to admit that i found the 'diving' to run time of the clock a bit boring and still wouldn't have called myself a fan.
When were planning our trip to italy Ching told me that there would be a chance that we would be able to make a match of almost super bowl proportions with Manchester United taking on the Roma team in what was to be a much anticipated game.
Oh my god...is really the first thing that comes to mind. I have been to many a Raider game and tho't i knew a little about extreme fans but oh no, not like soccer fans. The stadium, that seats about 80k was half full a full two hours prior to the intial kick off. The pride of the team is expressed thru their fans in their colors and songs. The entire stadium explodes in a flurry of team color and flag waving that must be seen to believed. They shout curse words at the opposing teams sections and taunt them as they were insulting their honor. But the Manchester Fans were no slouches themselves...altho' warned at impending violence against them a section of about 4k rocked their section as if they were in their home stadium. And as soon as a goal was scored against them the Italians rushed the barricade that was put up between them ( a plastic wall and line of military style police in riot gear) tossing bottles and verbal assaults that was unbelievable. The English fans fought back with their projectiles causing the police to rush and begin head bashing. I saw at least two fans go down and down hard, having to be carried out. To my amazement no fans were ejected only billy clubbed and once the mob was beaten back the even returned to their original seats to begin their own team chants. All this mind you as a woman's voice announced every 20 minutes or so that it was illegal to shout or incite violence to the opposing side and reminding the crowd of the new rule that the ref could pause the game (please note i said pause not stop) if he felt his life or the life of the other refs was in jeopardy.
The game ended with Roma victorious at 2 - 1 and the pleasant sounding women reminding Manchester fans to please wait until everyone had left for the military police, that had beaten them earlier would escort them out...for their safety.
In all, i think reports had 18 Englishmen injured in what i have to say was one of the greatest sports spectacles i have every seen in my life.
Not really a soccer fan?
Watch a game live...and i am sure you will become one as i did last night.