Udinese traveled to Genoa for its Serie A match against Sampdoria on Monday and one man showed up to support the team in the otherwise empty away end. Whether that man �(and no, he isn't Eddie Vedder) happened to be a local Udinese supporter or the only person who made the 600-mile round trip from Udine to follow his club isn't clear, but he was there and he was apparently the only one.
His presence was such a delight to the home supporters that instead of abusing him as football fans tend to do with larger visiting crowds, they cheered him and he gave them a wave.
His effort proved well worth it though, as Udinese won 2-0.
UPDATE: The lone Udinese fan has been identified as 37-year-old wine merchant Arrigo Brovedani. His account of what happened is really quite wonderful. From Football Italia:
"I was in Genoa for a work meeting and usually take a trip round the area around this time of year, but it was pure coincidence�Udinese�were playing there at the same time. So I took advantage and�organised�a ticket," he told�udinetoday.it.
"If I am in a city where�Udinese�happen to be playing, clients tend to send me free tickets, as they know my passion for the team. This time it wasn't possible and I had to sort it out myself. [...]
"I made the journey�to Genoa, arrived at the stadium and only then did Irealise�I was the only�Udinese�fan there! At that point the stewards asked if I wanted to sit in the main stand, but I insisted on going into the away end, seeing as I had paid for that ticket.
"I had the�Udinese�flag with me, as I carry it everywhere in my car. The�Samp fans applauded me after we scored and they were really very kind. The stewards offered me coffee, then the�Samp�directors arrived to give me a team jersey.
"At the final whistle when I left,�Samp�fans came towards me and offered me a drink, complimenting me on my passion. It's a shame I couldn't stay long, as I had to run due to work commitments."
Brovedani says he doesn't know when his next away match will be. In a time when fan violence, misbehavior and hate are all top headlines, it's nice to see a reminder that people can be decent towards one another at a sporting event.
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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/one-solitary-udinese-fan-showed-genoa-team-match-230323815--sow.html
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