ROME (AFP) - More than three decades after it first put out a men's team, women are finally strapping on the Vatican's colours of yellow jersey and socks and white shorts and bearing the keys of St Peter and papal tiara crest.
For 35 years, the world's smallest state has put out a men's team that for one match in 2010 was coached by European Cup winner Giovanni Trapattoni, while eight teams have competed in its men's championship for nearly half a century, with players coming from the iconic Swiss Guards, Museums and the economic services.
"We thought the time was right to try to organise something, training and matches, also for women," Danilo Zennaro, a representative of the Vatican sports association, told AFP.
And for a few months now, a group of about 20 women - including Vatican employees, wives and workers from the Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital administered by the Holy See - meet once or twice a week to train on the grounds of the Pius XI sports centre in the shadow of the Dome of St Peter.
The training kits are mismatched, the level of play variable with a lot of toe-poking going on, but serious effort is being made ahead of a match with Serie A side Roma and then a tournament in Vienna later this month, with the session continuing until late into the night.
"We are a very heterogeneous group, there are young people aged about 25 and 50-year-olds," said 35-year-old Vatican employee Maura Turoli, who has little footballing experience but now plays as a defender.
"It's wonderful to be on the pitch and see husbands and children waiting for us and supporting us on the other side of the fence."
Although Pope Francis, an Argentinian, recently spoke of football as "the most beautiful game", the three words "football", "women" and "Vatican" are not necessarily ones people would put together in the same sentence.
However, Turoli says that they "will try to disprove this idea and show that we have our place".
Teammate Floriana Di Iorio, who was already part of the women's team at the Bambino Gesu hospital, says this team "goes beyond sport" and wants to "spread a message of great openness".
"The main objective is to convey a message of union, to be consistent, to keep our enthusiasm and perhaps also to be examples in places where the role of woman is still seen as a little marginal."
A "spirit of union" is also what team coach, Gianfranco Guadagnoli, who works in the Vatican Post Office, wants to achieve.
"We've just started this group, the first training session was one of pain, problems ... But they are doing better than expected," said Guadagnoli, who also coaches the men's team.
"We've never played an 11-a-side and on a big pitch, but Roma have come forward and ... we will try, even if our means are not those of a Serie A team.
"It does not matter, we go with our qualities and whatever happens happens, without problems or dramas."
The match proceeded as expected, with a game understandably reduced to two 20-minute halves ending in a double-figures defeat and a baptism of fire for a trailblazing team.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has again cast doubt on the Premier League champions' readiness to win the Champions League for the first time. Man City still teenagers in adult world of
Sport24.co.za | Man City still teenagers in adult world of
The city must direct scarce housing resources to those who are most in need, and the eligibility process is designed to keep out all but the most needy families. The city shelter system is regulated by the state welfare department, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Zoning and PUDs - City of Round Rock
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel with the rest of their squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion having nearly recovered from a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.
Football Frames | For Football Fanatics
AD
David de Gea: A world class goalkeeper making mistakes - not one in permanent decline There is no question De Gea's standards have dipped this season but the finger of blame at Manchester United
Man Utd fans split on blaming De Gea or Herrera for Mustafi's
Temporary custody can be suspended at any time by the parents granting the custody. The Louisiana temporary guardianship form is a document by the minor's parent or guardian that provides another person with temporary legal guardianship to make decisions on health, educations and other aspects relating to the child.
Araibi was a vocal critic of AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain's ruling family and cousin of the king, when he contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015. The post FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over detained refugee player appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
Gareth Bale has been named as a substitute for Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 second leg against Ajax on Tuesday. The Welshman's future at the Santiago Bernabeu has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent weeks, reaching a crescendo in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Barcelona.
Klopp hails Salah as he targets 97-point total LONDON • Jurgen Klopp was "blown away" by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah's strike against Chelsea as he urged Liverpool to produce a flawless finish to the English Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's fighting spirit as he sets
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League on Friday, saying the changes would damage the thriving domestic game.
Premier League voices fears over proposed UCL reforms
However the player himself has earmarked the final La Liga clash of the season against Villarreal for his return to action. Marca report Ronaldo wants to get a proper run out before the Champions League final, so will ask to play away against 'the Yellow Submarine' on May 20 - which takes place on the Sunday before the European showdown the
Champions League king Ronaldo delivers for Juve
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for choosing not to attend this month's ceremony where he was given the award, saying their decision was unfair to
Luka Modric wins Ballon d'Or 2018, breaks decade-long Ronaldo
Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash (Reuters) Dier suffered a groin injury in England's 5-0 win over Czech Republic last week and was forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate's
Double Injury Blow For Spurs Ahead Of EPL Clash With
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch premier league stream reddit
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch champions league soccer live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch soccer live stream apk
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch soccer game live espn
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch soccer online free streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming world
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch usa soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming online
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch soccer aid live stream
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
how to watch champions league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch premier league live stream hd
watch soccer am live stream
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
apps to watch live streaming soccer
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch premier league games live stream
free watch soccer live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live bbc
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch live soccer streaming free android
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch premier league live streaming vf
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch champions league live streaming match
watch champions league live streaming now
watch champions league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch coppa america live streaming canada
#cr7 #elcasico #championship #freekick #watchlive #klopp #panini #coys #manchestercity #bestshishacafedubai #boxing #coyg #football #girlsniteout #champion #sixtimes #realmadridcf #freekickerz #midnight #crossfit #comico #liverpool #livesports #zidane #manchestercity #fut #cappucino #noelgallagher #leicestercity #frasirap #kroenkeout #nutmeg #risate #footballfans #Bar #acmilan #vip #golazo #americanfootball #trollfootball #thomasmeunier #henderson #linkstreaming #premierleague #mancity #Liamgallagher #MSport #leomessi #sunderlandafc #soccer #nationsleague #rugby #Vip45 #Suarez #arsenalnews #Barca #lovefootball #villarealcf #juventus
No comments:
Post a Comment