Lazio Singapore meets the Ambassador!

Two weeks ago, members of the ‘Singapore Lazio Supporters group’ were invited to the Italian Embassy in Singapore, for an impromptu meeting with the Ambassador of Italy, his Excellency, Mr. Felicani.

The owner of ‘Sapore Italiano’, Andrea, first introduced us to the Ambassador at his restaurant, during the World Cup match between Italy and New Zealand.

Before we were introduced to the ambassador at the restaurant, I was having this conversation with my friend, Stefano.

“What do you think? You think he knows about football?” I asked.

“I think he knows nothing about Lazio.” Stefano added.

Shortly after, we were left eating our own words, as it turn out that he is a big fan of Lazio! Hahaha...

My first impression of the Ambassador was he is handsome, very humble, extremely friendly, and very knowledgeable and passionate about La Lazio! Stefano and I were further blown away, when he told us that his late-father used to play for Lazio in the 30s, and that he had played with the legendary Silvio Piola.

His late-father’s name is Renzo Felicani, and his uncle who also played for Lazio, and whom I managed to find information on ‘LazioWiki’, is Pietro Felicani.

http://laziowiki.org/wiki/Felicani_Pietro

So the three of us, Darran, Stefano and myself were in the Ambassador’s office, as he took out his father’s old photo album. It feels like a magical tour back in time, as he showed us his father’s photos when he was young, to the time he joined Lazio, during the war when he served as an artillery officer, and the post-war where he continued to play for the Biancoceleste.

Obviously, words could not describe my emotion back then as pages after pages, photos of the former players, the heroes of La Lazio appeared in front of my naked eyes. You have to understand that these photos are really very sought-after, and one in particular, was actually signed by all the players including Silvio Piola! These are simply priceless photos!!!! I would not even consider selling them for a Million Dollar if I were the owner of these photos. I am soooo excited even when I am typing this now!! (This adrenaline rush will take a month to subside)

Ambassador Felicani also expressed his interest in joining the Lazio Singapore Supporters group. – We were all deeply honoured and delighted!

“Sir, you can join us for gatherings and play some football together,” I told him

“Yes, if only it’s near a church or a hospital” He laughs

We all burst out laughing!

The highlight of the meeting was his gift to the Singapore Lazio Supporters. – An old school replica Lazio 1930s -1940s jersey. The jersey has the old Facist logo of Lazio on it, so I reckon it should be from the 30s, probably before the war. Regardless of whichever era it comes from, I am definitely going to frame it up and hanged it on the wall!

To return his nice gesture, I gave him a ‘Vola-Lazio-Vola’ scarf written in Chinese characters, made for the 2009 Italian Super Cup in Beijing, and some newspaper cutting of articles about the global Laziali invasion on Corrielle Dello Sport. The latter was very happy and impressed by the efforts from Laziofever and the global Laziali.

However due to the rather short meeting and all the excitement, we have apparently forgotten to take pictures of the ambassador’s late father!

WAIT, DON’T SWEAR! We promised to take more photos of him during our next meeting. Hahaha..

Enjoy the photos folks..

Forza Lazio!
Nigel

The Ambassador's office. Nice view..

The symbol of the Lazio region.

The footballer's Identity card belonging to the Ambassdor's father, Renzo Felicani.
The photo on the left is Natalio Perinetti. A very famous Argentinean Striker, but was never a Lazio player. He is somehow related to the Ambassador's late father.

A very unique photo. 2 legends entering the pitch together. Giuseppe Meazza and our very own, Silvio Piola.

Can you spot Silvio Piola? Standing, third from the right. Grande Capitano!

The back of the photo with the player's names written on it. And can someone tell me if the address still exist now in Rome?

Some photos from the post wars and 70s.

A very very rare and sought-after photo, containing the signatures from all the players! The holy grail indeed!

The Lazio team sweating it out during training. The one on the right is NATALIO PERINETTI during his younger days.
http://sin.worldfootball.net/spieler_profil/natalio-perinetti/#redirect
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalio_Perinetti
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=56144/index.html

Ambassador Felicani presenting Lazio Singapore, the Lazio jersey.

And alittle gift to his Excellency.

The old scudetto badge on a Lazio jersey. How nice it would be..(Lazio have never won the scudetto before the war)

PS: His excellency said he wants to see the reaction from the fans, So do drop some comments folks!!!

Grazie Olympiakos 5-1 A.S Rioma

Grazie Olympiakos!! 谢谢!!! TERMIA KASIH!!! நன்றி !!

HERNANES IN ROME!

OFFICIAL: HERNANES TO LAZIO!!

We got the Prophet, Hernanes!!

It was reported that Lotito paid 13.5 Millions to Sao Paulo for the player. Hernanes will join up with the rest of the boys in Rome after his international duties with Brazil against USA on 10th of August.

According to the player, he is looking forward to his new adventure with the Eagles. Apparently, he has heard alot of good stuff from Andrea Dias (His former teammates in Sao Paulo) about Lazio. He also hopes to replicate his performance for Sao Paulo for us and hopefully become a legend in Lazio.

These are nice words from the latter...Now i just hope he will not turn out to be like Diego of Juventus!!

Market Update

Hernanes is edging closer to the Capital!

The Vice-President of Sao Paolo has revealed to the Brazilian Press that the deal is as good as done. What lacking is only the official announcement. I think the reason is because the club do not want the player(s) to be distracted or affected.

Sao Paolo have a Final of the Coppa Liberatores to play for this thursday, and have to overcome a 1-0 1st leg deficit. Most probably the official annoucement will be made after the Final in Mid-August. (If Sao Paolo made it to the Final)

Another news that has grab the headlines is us linking to Kevin Prince Boateng. The latter has already rejected us but for some apparent reason, rumors said that we are also close to getting him. Hmm..he is a strong and physical player who is very attacking minded. Im not sure if he will suit Reja's system. Neverthelss, it would really be a dream if he comes to Rome. Can you imagine the midfield consisiting of Ledesma, Boateng, Hernanes and Bresciano??

Negotiation for Hernanes

The transfer saga of Brazilian Hernanes is drawing to a close. In a couple of days time, we will all know that if the player will pen the contract with us as stated by the Italian Media, or that Sao Paulo will reject the proposal by Lazio.

An article on Lazialita says that the Brazilian midfielder is 99% a Lazio player and he is just a signature away from becoming 1 of us. Federico Penha, the vice-president of 'Traffic' who owns 17% of the player's rights has confirmed that.

In Brazil, it is very common for players to be own by several 'companies'.

Alot of my friends are delighted about this piece of news though nothing official has been announced. Youtube videos of the player can be seen everywhere on Facebook and some even hailing Claudio Lotito. *Shrugs*

For me, i hope the rumors are true of course. But i will not believe anything until i see him in the press conference, in a Lazio jersey at Formello.

Offcial: Lazio signs Javier Garrido and Alvaro Gonzalez

So after offloading and profiting about 19 Millions + Bonuses for Kolarov, our Lazio wasted no time in bringing in 2 new players. They are namely Javier Garrido from Man City and Alvaro Gonzalez from Uruguay's Nacional.

Garrido is basically a replacement for Kolarov on the left side of defence and cost 2.5 Millions. I have never seen him play in my entire life, so i will reserve my comments on the latter till later stage of the season.

As for Gonzalez, the player has actually been with us for acouple of weeks. It's just that there was no official announcement by the society. He has played afew friendly matches for us in Auronzo and has impressed many. Gonzalez can be used as a winger and right side of midfield.

Welcome to La Lazio boys!!