[PsychedelicCeltic]

Right, I've been getting increasingly interested in Serie A and I'm thinking about what team to support. I hate the idea of just 'picking' a team, but the reality is I'm not Italian or do I have any Italian ancestry, and I'm probably not going to go to Italy for at least six months, possibly a year or longer, and I can't wait that long.

I've narrowed down the choices to Roma and Napoli, whose fans I asked in the other thread. The winner gets their club's badge on my bag and unending support.

I like Roma for several reasons. Totti is one, of course. He's a brilliant, charismatic player. The support of the fans is another, I've seen Roma-Lazio on TV and the ultras are amazing. And this is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I have a fascination with the Roman empire as well, so Roma's tendency to use Roman imagery (the club colours, the emblem, the SQPR shirt, etc) is very cool to me. And who can ever forget the hilarity of Carlo Zampa blowing his top every time Roma score?

What I wanted to use this thread for was to solicit opinions on Roma, in essence try and sell to me your club, as if I was some discerning consumer, which makes me sound like a gloryhunter. Spalletti will take us to the top, Totti is great, etc.

Also one major thing, a nuts and bolts point if you like: If you think Roma are particularly easy to follow in the UK or to a lesser extent the USA, tell me. Bars in London/San Francisco (where I'm from originally) run or frequented by Napoli fans is a major plus point. Both clubs have obvious attractions, but part of the reason it's between Napoli and Roma for me is that North Beach has a strong Roman contingent and a good cafe run by a big Roma fan, and obviously you can't walk six feet in any Italian-American neighborhood without running into someone of Neapolitan descent.

[NickyViola]

Well, if you're NOT a Roma fan and you go see them play a home match you may get stabbed. Surely that is a major factor.

[TifosoRoma]

being both a roma and a napoli supporter its hard to say which team to choose, they both have incredible fan bases and both have a great future ahead of them.

all i can say is roma is a team that is just well, different. They play attractive soccer and produce results without a ton of money at their disposal, the city itself is magic and every one of Roma's players fall in love with the shirt. Being a Roma fan is fun, especially when there are a lot of interesting Roma communities on the internet and a lot of resources to find out about the team on a daily basis. Try and watcha roma game soon whenever you get the chance, i think you might fall in love

[NickyViola]

Roma AND Napoli supporter? You lost me.

[TifosoRoma]

Originally Posted by nickpuglia

Roma AND Napoli supporter? You lost me.

i know its strange.. i'm half roman and half napoletano, hard to choose.

[Wolfbeatseagle]

Originally Posted by nickpuglia

Well, if you're NOT a Roma fan and you go see them play a home match you may get stabbed. Surely that is a major factor.

Haha, not that Napoli is much better. Aren't both sets of ultras known for being some shanking fools?

I couldn't say which to decide on considering I have always been a Roma fan. If either team gives you chills that's the one. This video always gets me. I'm sure Napoli has a similar atmosphere, but you can't go wrong with Roma.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dcsP-MGqWE

[Forza_Totti]

Being a Roma supporter comes with great pride. This team earns any accomplishments they win on the field and are not spoon feed Scudetto's like the other big clubs. The other big clubs have enormous amounts of money spent and do not have the greatest team chemistry. Roma play the most exciting and most entertaining soccer in Serie A. They have great world champions that play for the jersey on their backs and not for the pay. This team is truly special and if you want to support a team that gives 100% every match and cares for its fans, you be a Romanisti for life!!!!

[kemgooner]

I pretty much became a Roma supporter for the reasons you mentioned. I used to just watch Serie A alot, because the football is great in the league and it became my favorite league to watch. Just watching the passion of all the fans, but the Roma fans in particular turned my onto the team. Hearing Roma Roma Roma before the matches is amazing. Plus you have the loyalty of players like Totti and De Rossi, which is hard to find elsewhere. Also the whole Roman history aspect I like alot, and love how the club has stuck with its roots. The passion for this team is amazing though, and it really has become a part of life for me.

[NickyViola]

Originally Posted by Forza_Totti

Being a Roma supporter comes with great pride. This team earns any accomplishments they win on the field

Didn't earn last season's CL... Just sayin'.. Remember that you guys got the CL because we cheated our way to third from bottom in 04/05.

[FNU]

I've got 7 reasons why you wouldn't want to support Roma.
[youtube]jscC_8RS2PQ[/youtube]

"They're just having a nightmare, that they will never ever forget."