Italians and English have their say
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Maltese football fanatics may be gearing up for the biggest Anglo-Italian clash in decades – but it seems the rivalry is not quite as intense among England and Italy nationals.
“We don’t view Italy as rivals in the same way as we view Germany or France,” said English Sliema resident Andrew Braithwaite.
Hailing from Merseyside, Mr Braithwaite said he “admires and totally understands” the rivalry between Maltese Italy and England fans, though he thinks the Maltese should show more support for their own national team when they play.
“On Merseyside we breathe football rivalry, and like many great football rivalries the origins in Malta seem to go beyond the game.
“Culturally Malta has a mix of English and Italian, two very distinct identities. In choosing one side you’re effectively saying: this is the culture I admire the most. Are you a pint of bitter or a shot of espresso?”
A young Italy fan exchanges football stickers.Mr Braithwaite added the Italian national side is “undoubtedly strong” and he hopes they go on to win Euro 2012 if they knock England out today, though he was less complimentary about Italian football in general.
“I’ve had to suffer a lot of Serie A since I’ve been here, and there’s no doubt about it, it’s dull,” he said.
Italian Naxxar resident Valentino Baldi said the local rivalry “was a great surprise”.
“Yesterday I was in Valletta and I was amazed by the number of English and Italian flags on Maltese balconies. I think it’s a privilege and a unique experience to watch the match in Malta – you can’t find such an atmosphere in Italy.”
Mr Baldi also played down the rivalry between England and Italy.
“England are not historical rivals. I would say Italy and England are ‘normal’ rivals as they both are strong teams with a fantastic tradition.”
His fellow countryman and Birkirkara resident Francesco Nanni agreed.
“Historically France are our biggest rivals; there is no side we hate more than them”he said.
Mr Nanni expressed concern that the local rivalry could get out of hand tonight: “I’m not going to watch the game in a public place, as it is highly probable that rows and fights will break out.”
If Italy are knocked out tonight, Mr Nanni said he “wouldn’t be too sad if England finally won a trophy, as I lived in England for four years so it’s partially in my heart”.
But English Sliema resident Steve Morrison was less willing to join the Anglo-Italian love-in: “I used to quite like Italy, but my opinion has changed since living in Malta. The Maltese who think they are Italian have made me dislike the Italians!”
13 Comments
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gil falzon
Jun 24th 2012, 14:31
With all due respect Miguel, you may not know the underlying reasons for the dichotomy. Over a century and a half of British rule means that there are still strong ties between the Maltese and the English.
Although its ties with Italy (more specifically Sicily and Naples) mean that there is also an affinity between Italy and the Maltese. In fact, the modern-day political parties originate from these old national allegiances although the majority would no longer be aware of this.
Malta is tiny, so just as someone from a small town in Portugal may support Portugal rather than just supporting the team from their local village, so the Maltese look for some other entity to place their allegiances when it comes to football.
I for one am supporting Portugal and Spain this year!
Miguel Magalhães
Jun 24th 2012, 11:19
Maltesers are so proud of their nacionality and so obnoxious to the "foreigners" that they should be reminded of who they are. They are from Malta. They aren't neither italien or british. Sorry Maltesers. Keep calm and support Malta!
Mango Charlie
Jun 25th 2012, 00:20
Yes but what you are forgetting Pedro is that at one time Malta was joined to Sicily and the orignal inhabitants of Malta orignated from Italy so whats your point sunshine./ we are Maltese only because the British or rule Britannia were running our country thinking it was British and theirs, how rong can they be.
H. Meilak
Jun 24th 2012, 11:09
Ara Baggio!
Alexandra MalliaBorg
Jun 25th 2012, 10:17
That is very true although i support Italy and always have done i think they will go true and win the final, the only thing is when italy plays malta i support the best team and it could be either of them as for the English thinking they owe Malta, boy how wrong can these anglo saxons be because we are not English and we do not want to be British, we a closer to Italy then that country somewhere up there.
A. Mifsud
Jun 24th 2012, 10:49
I don't mind some sporting rivalry as long as it is contained, the problem is when emotions get out of hand. In no other place in the world, people feel so 'patriotic' for a country to which they do not belong! And when people behave such they will only be making a mockery out of themselves. Others laugh at these situations.
Michael Andrews
Jun 24th 2012, 11:33
Totally agree with you. Being English, i obviously support England, and if we lose i can take the banter that comes with it. It only gets annoying when you get "Italian" supporters trying to wind you up, Screaming at you that "their" team won.
Victor Boyde
Jun 24th 2012, 15:24
How right you are Mr Andrews. I remember Malta playing Italy and the radio commentator was praising the Italians rather than urging the Maltese listeners. I later found out that he was born Maltese but thought he was Italian in his head. The other thing that gets me is when you can't avoid certain people double-dutching,i.e., speaking Maltese and finishing the sentence in italian. very funny when you hear it.
JC Sullivan
Jun 24th 2012, 20:38
To you A. Mifsud and especially to Boyde and others in this specific thread, I am not surprised by your comments because you definitely do not know (although you might be Maltese) Malta's history or culture. We are tied to the English simply because of their 200 years of ruling us.
As for the Italians, we're tied to them by proximity, culture, religion, food and yes, language.
We, the Maltese Island were a part of Italy after all.
Mr Duncan Scerri
Jun 25th 2012, 10:15
@JC Sullivan
"As for the Italians, we're tied to them by proximity, "
And just as close to Africa. No, Sicily is not Italy. And remember what Dennis Hopper said about Sicilians.
"culture, "
Try to be a little more specific. The sort of culture you'd find in a Petri dish?
"religion, "
Same as the Philippines. You going to try and connect yourself to them now?
"food "
Yes, I always enjoyed a couple of cheese cakes each morning on my way to the office in Milan along with a cup of tea containing a massive amount of evaporated milk. It was what all the locals did.
"and yes, language."
The same Maltese language that is based primarily on Arabic with a smattering of French (bonju) and English (kompjuter)?
Antonia Vella
Jun 24th 2012, 09:18
boloh boloh u boloh
D Fava
Jun 24th 2012, 10:49
Find something else to do then troll on the Internet.
Alexandra MalliaBorg
Jun 25th 2012, 11:24
Well said Mr.JC Sullivan some of us have attended college or school others do not look further then their nose, and think just because we>> speaka di englis <<<& we are automatically BRITISH? THINK AGAIN PAL., we are Maltese and proud of it and we support our neighbours Gozo sorry Italy.
Please choose the reason of your report below: