Only One Fan Turns Up To Support A Soccer Team

The Italian media has lavished praise on the only supporter who showed up to watch Udinese play an away game in Serie A, the top league in the country.

Arrigo Brovedani, a life-long fan of the club, was the the only individual to turn up to Genoa for a Serie A match against Sampdoria. Brovedani, a 30-year-old wine merchant, appeared in the designated section for away followers, only to find himself alone.

Brovedani revealed that he expected to find himself alongside dozens of fellow fans, and was surprised to be the solitary soul supporting Udinese at the game. “But I went there thinking I’d find five or six other people,” said the Italian. “I went into the stadium while they [Udinese] were warming up. I shouted and said ‘hi’ to the team.”

“When I went in the local fans booed me, I felt a bit offended. But in the end they clapped and invited me for coffee and a meal, and the club manager gave me a shirt. They wished me a merry Chritmas,” added Brovedani.

Genoa is about four hours away from Friuli, where Udinese are based, but Brovedani was in Genoa on business. “I like the stadium there, it’s very similar to English stadiums,” he said. “I always take my flag and scarf around – they’re always in the car with me.”

Udinese went on to win the match 2-0, and the team dedicated their performance and victory to Brovedani. He has also now been invited to attend the side’s next home encounter, on Saturday against Palermo, for free.