It is complicated business

The Italian Serie C playoff is one of the highlights of the season for me. 27(!) teams battle for the 4th promotion spot to Serie B.

The Italian football pyramid boasts 3 divisions in the 3 tier. Girone A, B and C. North, mid and South, with 18 teams in each division. Each division winner earns direct admission to Serie B, and 2nd to 10th from each division enters a mad playoff for the last entry to Serie B.

This years final - a two legged tie between Vicenza and Carrarese.

I left Copenhagen this morning, and I’m now on the border between Tuscany and Liguria getting myself a cold Peroni from a street vendor selling ice cold beverages from his wheelbarrow. I’m considering my next move. Stadio Dei Marmi holds 9.500 people. It is a classic small and old oval stadium. It is located in urban surroundings with housing on almost all sides. I begin to circle the ground to see if there could be any options for a balcony. I’m staring at doorbells.

Behind tightly parked cars is an abandoned 3-4 story building. Fences placed to keep strangers away. I force the fence and enter what is an old abandoned school. Inside the building it is major post apocalyptic vibes. But the place is my only option to see the game.

I leave the school to stock up on beers and snacks for the game, and when I return I’m joined by around 30-40 other like minded local football lovers who like me are desperate to watch the game.

The first leg in Vicenza ended 0-0. And only six minutes after “Il Canto degli Italiani”, Mattia Finotto brings the hosts in front. Like any other finale, the game is locked and not very entertaining. The game ends 1-0 to Carrarese and the little town explodes, in what seems like joined by all walks of life.

Carrarese’s opening home match in coming Serie B will be the 27th of August at their 3rd round tie versus Sudtirol, and the game will be played in Pisa due to undergoing improvements to Stadio Dei Marmi.