Curva Express / 38
Igor Protti...Sampdoria protests...Sora survive (for now)...Paganese 100...Vigevano celebrations...futsal and beach soccer (!)
Igor Protti passed away at 58 and ultras in Rimini (his hometown), Bari (topped the goalscoring chart in 1995-96 with 24 goals scored) and Livorno (12,000 attended the last salute to their striker nicknamed “the Zar”) paid tribute to the former striker (pics by Alessio Novi and Francesco Luongo). Brigate Autonome Livornesi also “returned” for the occasion. The Curva Nord in Bari will be entitled to him. Images express more than words in this case more than ever.
Protti was a hero at Lazio too lest we forget. The white and sky blue ultras have announced they will be taking to the streets again on 2 July as they take the short path from Ponte Milvio to Stadio Flaminio. The main target of the protest will be president Claudio Lotito as usual but also sporting director Angelo Fabiani and head of communication Emanuele Floridi, all three deemed to be Roma fans (amongst other things). “Us, the Lazio fans have the duty to keep the lights on this love massacre which has been ongoing for 22 years,” part of the long statement read.
No mercy for Sampdoria executives (Walker and Fredberg) either as the Blucerchiati ultras protested in Bogliasco. The decision of appointing Bernardo Corradi on his first managerial experience didn’t go down well on the Samp ultras, who have also hung banners against the potential arrival of Massimo Mutarelli (ex Genoa) as Corradi vice coach. As it wasn’t enough, the club presented the 80th anniversary badge through a QR Code activation on the streets of the city, but the initiative didn’t win many hearts at all, and actually most fans criticized the choice stating that the new commemorative logo rather resembles the Unicef or UN ones. They will buy season tickets but will protest from MD1.
Brescia 1911 have released a statement firmly rejecting any corporate merger or institutional compromise involving alternative local clubs (specifically Feralpisalò, referred to as ‘the Saviour’s team’). The group denounces a lack of historical memory among those accepting this transition and reaffirms their absolute, unyielding loyalty exclusively to the original Brescia club founded in 1911. “What will you do if the ‘Saviour’ gets tired, drops everything, and goes back to Salò with his team/club?” is one of the key questions to wake other fans from the “dream.”
In light of the 100th anniversary of Unione Sportiva Paganese (founded in 1926), Paganese’s Curva Nord Salvatore Francavilla have established an association named “Centenari” to rally popular support for the football club. The primary objective is to secure the funds needed for the club’s registration to the the 2026–2027 Serie D and to support a competitive team. The association is promoted by the Curva Nord alongside local professionals, trade associations, shopkeepers, as well as former Paganese players and managers. It aims to unite fans of the team from all over the world. The first and most critical project is a crowdfunding campaign called “Cento” (One Hundred). Fans, former players, and sympathizers are invited to make a flat donation of €100.00 either directly online or via bank transfer to a dedicated account. All funds collected through this initiative will be formally delivered on June 30, 2026, to the Honorary President, notary Nello Calabrese. The organizers emphasize that the only official and secure channels for donations are via the website CENTENARI1926.ORG.
After securing Serie D safety, Sora Calcio’s 120-year history was threatened when owner Angelo Tinto secretly negotiated to relocate the club’s sporting title to a new project in Latina whilst also finalizing the acquisition of Real Normanna. On June 23 (when The Faone di Sora is held, in which bonfires are lit along the Liri River to celebrate the summer solstice and the figure of Saint John), thousands of Sora ultras staged a massive protest under the slogan “Il Sora non si tocca” (Hands off Sora), gathering on Ponte Napoli with banners, smoke bombs and chants, eventually forcing the local city administration to intervene. Under intense pressure, the Tinto family capitulated, officially blocking the Latina transfer and agreeing to prioritize local buyers (the Russo-Lunghi group). While the fans won the battle to keep the title in the city, the club now faces a race against time to finalize the takeover and register for the upcoming Serie D championship.
Novara ultras finally found time to paint murals outside Curva Nord Nini Udovicich. They look the part!
Down in Sicily, after experiencing the detachment of Stadio San Filippo (capacity 38,722), Messina fans would be keen on returning to their beloved Giovanni Celeste stadium, as designer architect Franco Mento highlighted in an interview this week. The renovation works are nearing completion and approval. This project represents a crucial restoration and modernization effort rather than a brand-new stadium build. It aims to breathe life back into a historic venue for Messina’s football community. With the installation of modern locker rooms, a gym, a bar with a pitch-view window, and a 5,000-seat approval limit, the facility is designed to formally host matches up to the Serie D level once testing is fully approved.
In the basketball world, despite losing against Caserta, Vigevano got another tilt at promotion to Serie A2 (second tier) which they grabbed as they defeated Virtus Roma in Forlì. Around 700 fans (seven coaches and cars) followed the blue and yellow side and dozens of them celebrated deep into the night as they welcomed back their heroes in the town’s historical main square.
Different sports over the summer aren’t yielding any different results on the stands. Here you can see Napoli Futsal ultras in action…
Whereas Terracina ultras joined the beach soccer Coppa Italia semifinals to make them heard and displayed a banner stating: “For beach soccer [there were] fashion shows and close-ups! You didn’t care about Terracina football club [instead]!”
Random stickers of the week: Sant’Angelo Lodigiano
