Forza Italia

The Fall and Rise of Italian Football

Biography & Memoir, Sports, Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book Forza Italia by Paddy Agnew, Ebury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paddy Agnew ISBN: 9781448117642
Publisher: Ebury Publishing Publication: February 29, 2012
Imprint: Ebury Digital Language: English
Author: Paddy Agnew
ISBN: 9781448117642
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Publication: February 29, 2012
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Language: English

When journalist Paddy Agnew and his girlfriend Dympna touched down in Rome in 1985 in search of adventure, sunshine and the soul of Italian football (well, Paddy was looking for that), they were travelling into the uncharted terrain of a country they did not know and a language they did not speak.

It soon became clear that neither Italy nor Italian football would be boring. In that first week in Italy, Michel Platini and Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup, whilst just days later the PLO killed 13 people in a random shooting at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Paddy covered both stories. The coming years saw the rise of TV tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, as he became owner of AC Milan and then Prime Minister of Italy, naming his political party 'Forza Italia' after a football chant. In that same period, Argentine Diego Maradona became the uncrowned King of Naples, leading Napoli to a first ever Scudetto title in 1987, notwithstanding a hectic, Hollywood-esque lifestyle that mixed footballing genius with off-the-field excess.

Forza Italia is a fascinating tale of inspired players, skilled coaches, rich tycoons, glitzy media coverage, Mafia corruption, allegations of drug taking and fan power - culminating in the 2006 World Cup victory that delighted a nation and a match-fixing scandal that shocked the world. It is also a personalised reflection on the consistent and continuing excellence of Italian football throughout a period of huge social, political and economic upheaval, offering a unique insight into a society where football has always been much more than just a game.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When journalist Paddy Agnew and his girlfriend Dympna touched down in Rome in 1985 in search of adventure, sunshine and the soul of Italian football (well, Paddy was looking for that), they were travelling into the uncharted terrain of a country they did not know and a language they did not speak.

It soon became clear that neither Italy nor Italian football would be boring. In that first week in Italy, Michel Platini and Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup, whilst just days later the PLO killed 13 people in a random shooting at Rome's Fiumicino airport. Paddy covered both stories. The coming years saw the rise of TV tycoon Silvio Berlusconi, as he became owner of AC Milan and then Prime Minister of Italy, naming his political party 'Forza Italia' after a football chant. In that same period, Argentine Diego Maradona became the uncrowned King of Naples, leading Napoli to a first ever Scudetto title in 1987, notwithstanding a hectic, Hollywood-esque lifestyle that mixed footballing genius with off-the-field excess.

Forza Italia is a fascinating tale of inspired players, skilled coaches, rich tycoons, glitzy media coverage, Mafia corruption, allegations of drug taking and fan power - culminating in the 2006 World Cup victory that delighted a nation and a match-fixing scandal that shocked the world. It is also a personalised reflection on the consistent and continuing excellence of Italian football throughout a period of huge social, political and economic upheaval, offering a unique insight into a society where football has always been much more than just a game.

More books from Ebury Publishing

Cover of the book Indian Vegetarian Cookery by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Forbidden Crusade by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Silk & Strangers by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book The Persian Girl by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Tell Him He's Pele by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Cream: How Eric Clapton Took the World by Storm by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Movie Mistakes: Take 3 by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book A Wartime Nurse by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Sam The Magic Genie by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Doctor Who: The Anti-Hero (Time Trips) by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Playing With Stars by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Frontiers Of Health by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Cellar Girl by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book Nail That Interview by Paddy Agnew
Cover of the book A Sense Of Entitlement by Paddy Agnew
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy