Interesting Football Trivia thread

Please contribute posts aboput some interesting football trivia... facts that may not be popularily known, but have a interesting history/tradition around it....

Let me start with the story of Mussi Volanti (Flying Donkeys) - how chievo came to be known as the flying donkeys.

Verona has a big club (Hellas Verona, ironically in Serie B at the mo), whose supporters always used to make fun of lil Chievo Verona, a small amatuer club. In late 90s, when Chievo actually got promoted to the serious proifessional leagues and kept getting promoted every year (Serie D-C2/C1-B), Hellas fans laughed that donkeys would fly before Chievo made it to Serie A.

The rest as they say is history. The next season Chievo were in Serie A, and Chievo fans embraced the nickname as a badge of honor. Chievo's official Web site shows an image of a flying donkey next to the club's crest, and the club's online shop sells a stuffed flying donkey dolls

Interestingly, ever since Chievo were founded in 1929, they have been relegated only ONCE!!!!!

Let me post another one, this one about La Grande Inter.

From 1964-72, "La Grande" Inter was a great side which reached the European Cup finals 4 times, winning twice, and 4 scudettos. During those years many great players wore the Nerazzuri shirt: Suárez, Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, Domenghini, Corso, Burgnich, Picchi, & Sarti. The owner and president of the team was Angelo Moratti, father of the current owner, so now we know why Massimo Moratti buys big players, its genetic Inter had a great rivalry in the 60s with Real Madrid, between 1963-67, Inter played the great Real team 5 times in the European Cup, winning thrice and drawing once. Angelo wanted to create a team which is even grander than the one in Madrid. This much is well known.

What is less known, is that Angelo offered enormous amounts of money to buy Eusébio and Pelé in 1966; both players agreed to move to Inter, and the deals were done and dusted. But politics intervened. The military dictatorships of Portugal and Brazil both refused to sanction the moves, and both transfers fell through.

Imagine what a team that would have been... Pele, Luis Suárez, Giacinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, & Eusebio!!!

Palmeiras, one of the most popular clubs in Brazil, was called Palestra Italia until World War 2.

Palmeiras was the team of the Italian descendants in São Paulo. But Brazil entered the war alongside the allies (few people know that Brazil sent troops to fight in Europe), and then they had to change their name.

they were then called porcos (pigs) because of fascism. today their own fans call themselves pigs. they are still the team of the Italian community, but they became very popular with time, acquiring all kinds of fans. But I know some Palmeiras fans who support Italy in WCs, and their stadium is called Palestra Italia.

however, their main glory is being Corinthians archi-rivals!

AC Milan is the only side to beat Johan Cruijff in a European Cup Final..

rai de Hunter wrote:AC Milan is the only side to beat Johan Cruijff in a European Cup Final..

And Germany the only country to beat him in a WC final.

Pelé and Garrincha NEVER lost a match playing together.

Feyenoord's stadium De Kuip was build in the 30s. It was the 1st football stadium with an 'unsupported' (with those poles obstructing view) uppertier. After finishing the contruction, it was tested by having 1000s of unempoyed people, who had been lured with free gin & cigars, jump on command. The test was passed.

blutgraetsche wrote:

rai de Hunter wrote:AC Milan is the only side to beat Johan Cruijff in a European Cup Final..

And Germany the only country to beat him in a WC final.

True ...

But at least he has beaten a German side with Beckenbauer, Muller and Maier etc

rai de Hunter wrote:AC Milan is the only side to beat Johan Cruijff in a European Cup Final..

Yeah! THat's my team!

I have some but it isn't really Trivia, well I don't know what it is, I have all the similarities that happened when italy won the 1982 world cup and this world cup! If you guys want me to write it I will!

Supperpippo wrote:

rai de Hunter wrote:AC Milan is the only side to beat Johan Cruijff in a European Cup Final..

Yeah! THat's my team!

I have some but it isn't really Trivia, well I don't know what it is, I have all the similarities that happened when italy won the 1982 world cup and this world cup! If you guys want me to write it I will!

Please write

AC Milan beat Cruijff in 1968 (player) and 1994 (coach) .. to clear things up.

In both games, Cruijff saw 4 goals past him

I actually didn't know that - very interesting!!!

todo_poderoso_timão wrote:Palmeiras, one of the most popular clubs in Brazil, was called Palestra Italia until World War 2.

Palmeiras was the team of the Italian descendants in São Paulo. But Brazil entered the war alongside the allies (few people know that Brazil sent troops to fight in Europe), and then they had to change their name.

they were then called porcos (pigs) because of fascism. today their own fans call themselves pigs. they are still the team of the Italian community, but they became very popular with time, acquiring all kinds of fans. But I know some Palmeiras fans who support Italy in WCs, and their stadium is called Palestra Italia.

however, their main glory is being Corinthians archi-rivals!

Thank god the test was passed

jonathan de guzman wrote:Feyenoord's stadium De Kuip was build in the 30s. It was the 1st football stadium with an 'unsupported' (with those poles obstructing view) uppertier. After finishing the contruction, it was tested by having 1000s of unempoyed people, who had been lured with free gin & cigars, jump on command. The test was passed.

@blue

when Italy were world champions this year, São Paulo sky was hit by thousands of fireworks!

it was as if Palmeiras had won a title...

I will probably start showing some interest in Palmeiras now

todo_poderoso_timão wrote:@blue

when Italy were world champions this year, São Paulo sky was hit by thousands of fireworks!

it was as if Palmeiras had won a title...

Well I am just going to do it any way! I thought it was quite interesting!

Italy qualified for Germany 2006 with one game to spare. THe last time this happened was in 1982

The Azzurri have reached the WC final every 12 years since 1970 where they lose, win, lose, win tradition has continued

Italy managed to collect 2-0 wins over Poland and Germany in 1982 and 2006 respectively- which were the home nations of teh Pope at the time.

Cristian Zaccardo scored an own goal in Italy's second game of the tournament. Fulvio Collovati did exactly the same in the 1-1 draw with Peru in Spain!

The two captains the respective sides, Dino Zoff and Fabio Cannavaro, were both Juventus players

Dino Zoff and Fabio Cannavaro both celebrated thier century of caps during the tournament. THe keeper did it in their first '82 game, while the stopper won his in the final of 2006

THe rolling stones toured Italy back in 1982 and did the same 24 years later1

THe last time the semi-finalists were all European was back in 1982- when three of this years last four teams made it in the form of Italy, France and Germany. Instead of Poland, thi stime it was Portugal!

THe Azzurri prepared for the 1982 WC by drawing 1-1 in a friendly in Switzerland. That's the way Italy's warm-up game with the swiss this summer ended too!

Both editions saw Italy go into the tournament under a cloud of controversy due to scandals in their domestic league!

Brazil entered both events as clear favourites, but failed to deliver what was expected!

Both games against the Germans were brought to life with the unforgettable goal celebrations of Marco Tardelli in 1982 and Fabio Grosso in 2006!

THe way the Azzurr all reached for the cup, was done when Italy celebrated their victory in 1982!

Alberto Gilardino was born on 5th July 1982 when Italy won their game to progress to the final of the 1982 WC, and Italy played their semi-final game against germany 4th of July finishing just before midnight!

Fey brought up a good triva

Every time a new Bond arrives .. a Dutch team wins the European Cup:

Forget 1962

1969-70 - George Lazenby - Feyenoord
1971 - Sean Connery (hes back) - Ajax
1973 - Roger Moore - Ajax
1987/88 - Timothy Dalton - PSV
1995 - Pierce Brosnan - Ajax

2006/07 - Daniel Craig - PSV?

Wow, I laugh that happens, THat will be something! Milan v PSV final!

Not bad.... didn't realise that...

rai de Hunter wrote:Fey brought up a good triva

Every time a new Bond arrives .. a Dutch team wins the European Cup:

Forget 1962

1969-70 - George Lazenby - Feyenoord
1971 - Sean Connery (hes back) - Ajax
1973 - Roger Moore - Ajax
1987/88 - Timothy Dalton - PSV
1995 - Pierce Brosnan - Ajax

2006/07 - Daniel Craig - PSV?

Supperpippo wrote:Wow, I laugh that happens, THat will be something! Milan v PSV final!

PSV will win

Cocu v Kaka and Gattuso .. last time (im not being biased) but Philip 'the living legend' had no problems

But it's been pretty tight between us in teh last 2 years! Especially last season, with 0-0 and 0-1 to PSV!

Supperpippo wrote:But it's been pretty tight between us in teh last 2 years! Especially last season, with 0-0 and 0-1 to PSV!

True .. but both teams have undergone some changes.

Well that is undeniably true! Too meet the 3rd consecutive season will be great! Old rivalry! Especially after Stam got sent off in the last game, and a penalty was turned down! it will be great to see it settled in one match!

Supperpippo wrote:Well that is undeniably true! Too meet the 3rd consecutive season will be great! Old rivalry! Especially after Stam got sent off in the last game, and a penalty was turned down! it will be great to see it settled in one match!

The record books want a PSV win, or else

It be great for Milan to reach this years Champions League (the most consistent team in Europe in the last 7 years.) and banish the ghosts of 'early' this season.

Gosh how I would love it, I said this season they would win, but who knows! If any team had to win but Milan... I would say Roma, Valencia, PSV! I like the underdogs!

Supperpippo wrote:Gosh how I would love it, I said this season they would win, but who knows! If any team had to win but Milan... I would say Roma, Valencia, PSV! I like the underdogs!

Anyone but Chelsea

Anyone but Chelsea, Barca, Inter and Liverpool!

Pippo, somewhere down the line in this years CL I hope we have another euro derby... losing that CL semis on an away goal's rule at San Siro still hurts, we want revenge!

I would give anything for a derby in this seasons CL....

Supperpippo wrote:Gosh how I would love it, I said this season they would win, but who knows! If any team had to win but Milan... I would say Roma, Valencia, PSV! I like the underdogs!

As long as you Inter fans don't through falres at our players! The game was cut short because of the stupidty of the fans.... And if Inter don't top the group it could well happen

I hope they don't EVER do that again!! But that was the quarters the next year, I was talking about the semis derby.

Anyways, we cannot meet in the next round... UEFA does not allow same country teams to meet in 2nd round... earliest possible is quarters

Supperpippo wrote:As long as you Inter fans don't through falres at our players! The game was cut short because of the stupidty of the fans.... And if Inter don't top the group it could well happen

YEs, I forgot! Sorry! And i forgot about the rule about the last 16 and same country!

Oh well, look forward to seeing you in the quarters then