Totti Steps Into The Ring "I'm ready to take on Inter"

The Roma captain has put himself at coach Ranieri's disposal, and could be the team's extra gear in the race for the Scudetto. The coach used the metaphor: "Francesco is like a stem cell for us"

ROME, 25 March 2010 - The dream of being the only Roma player to win the league twice is now becoming a bit more of a real possibility now. He might not have said it, but reading between the lines: Francesco Totti wants a part of the action on Saturday against Inter. The Giallorosso captain, who fronted a conference by the Gemelli Hospital at Rome's Cattolica University along with Claudio Ranieri and club president Rosella Sensi, was hiding nothing. "I'm available if the coach needs me." This was followed by a glance at Ranieri and a knowing smile, which said it all.

Stem Cell — Staying on the subject of medicine, Ranieri used the metaphor: "Totti is like a stem cell for us". This was a clear sign that if the team wants to keep charging ahead, the captain's help will be essential. The fans love him, they've been united in calling for his return for the super clash against Inter. "Saturday's is an important game, the whole of Rome will be watching us. Well, almost the whole of Rome (ed. not Lazio fans)."

From the heart — Totti has been making good progress over the past few days, but whether he'll actually play at the Olimpico remains to be seen. There's no doubt though about his desire to be in the front line as his team take's on Mourinho: "My decision to stay with Roma for life came from the heart. If I had wanted to change teams, I could have easily done it: before I quit, I want to win something big in this shirt". And soon. There's also no question that he's serious, going by his training program: this afternoon Totti will be doing a personal session then some polishing with the team tomorrow. On Saturday we'll see if he'll also be part of the biggest game of the year.

Article by Marco Calabresi - gazzetta.it

The Grifo Cup USA 2010

The Grifo Cup USA 2010 is being played July 30th-August 2nd 2010. This is a class "A" tournament for boys Under 12 through Under 17.

All Federation’s sanctioned league passes are accepted. The Grifo cup is presented by the United Grifos, OSA Soccer Academy and Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School.

The Grifo cup is not just a tournament it is a scouting event, the staff will be selecting three players from the tournament to attend trials with AC Fiorentina’s youth sector from the Italian Serie A. One player from each of the following age groups will be selected u12-u13 (1), U14-u15 (1) and U16-U17 (1).

Teams entering the tournament will be placed in age appropriate divisions based on history of play. During these matches a staff member will be at each field evaluating individual play.

In addition on the official score card each opposing coach/trainer shall select one player from the opposing team that he/she thought was the standout plyer during the match for the opposing team and note it on the score card. Also the Grifos cup staff member will add their opinions and observations of players if they feel necessary.

At the end of your division’s matches each teams coach will be notified on which players will be asked to attend Mondays round of games. Players selected for the Monday games will be put on trial teams and compete in one hour matches where the Staff can further identify players that will be selected for the trials. At the end of Mondays matches 3 players and 6 alternates will be identified.

The Grifo Cup staff will consult with all coaches to ensure a strong opinion of each player can be made.

For Further information on this event and to register go to www.thegrifocup.com or you can also visit www.soccerkix.com

Capello Hopes for England-Italy World Cup Final

England manager's dream opponent would be the Azzurri

England manager Fabio Capello hopes to lead the Three Lions to the final of next year's World Cup in South Africa, and there's one team in particular he would love to face: Italy.

The Italian, who took over as manager of the English national team in 2007, admitted he would love nothing more if his home country would be England's opponent in the final in Johannesburg on July 11.

"I would love a final between England and Italy. For Italy, for me and for all of us. The strangest moment will be during the national anthems. But, I am wearing a different shirt now and I must work for the England shirt," Capello told French television station Canal Plus.

Capello, whose England side has been drawn into a first-round group with the United States, Algeria and Slovenia, believes his team can go all the way and reach the final for the first time since 1966, when it won the World Cup on home soil.

"My team is strong. The fans are proud of what we've done, as are we. There's a World Cup to play for and our goal is to reach the final," Capello stated.

"We will be competitive and I repeat: We can play with our head held high against the best teams in the world."

By John F. Molinaro, CBC Sports

Grifo Cup 2010 International Tournament

October 2009 - Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School and Perugia Grifos are pleased to announce the 2010 Grifo Cup. The Grifo Cup 2010 is being held in the beautiful Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. The tournament will be played July 30th-August 2nd 2010. This is a class “A” tournament for boys Under 12 through Under 17. All Federation’s sanctioned league passes are accepted..

Perugia Grifos USA Tournament Director, noted that "teams are already signing up this event and it looks like it will be totally booked." It was also noted that "families and friends are welcome to travel and take the time to visit the beautiful Pocono Mountains".

The Pocono Mountains is famous for its resorts, natural scenic beauty, 150 lakes including Lake Wallenpaupack, and the quaint, historical towns in the four county area. The Poconos in Pennsylvania have so much to offer to the adventurous soul.

Mr. Antonio Saviano, Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School said: “the Grifo Cup is not just a tournament it is a scouting event, the staff will be selecting three players from the tournament to attend trials with AC Fiorentina’s youth sector from the Italian Serie A”.

All arrangements for selected players will be made on your behalf with AC Fiorentina from the Italian Serie A, OSA Soccer Academy (Italy) and the Perugia Grifos (USA).

Acceptance is done as "rolling acceptance". In other words, you could get accepted as early as a week after you apply or as late as a few weeks prior to the tournament. Applying early is always the best choice. Please make sure that your tournament registration is as accurate and complete as possible.

For more information contact Scuola Calcio or Perugia Grifo office at: grifocup@acperugiausa.com

About Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School:

The Scuola Calcio (soccer school) program represents a unique opportunity for the young soccer student to grow in an environment filled with talent. The main goal is to always improve the technical and tactical aspects of the game of soccer but with an emphasis on developing players that will be better people on and off the field. The program is administered by some of the most qualified instructors in the world, with the objective of being one of the best systems in the world, the Scuola Calcio has opened affiliates in many different parts of the world.

Deeksha Sports Management and Soccerkix Vision in India

New Delhi, India - Since there is not much to offer youth soccer players here in India, Deeksha Sports Management (DSM), a group of professionals engaged in promoting sports events, organized the first ever Italian Soccer Clinic this past September to help popularize the game of football.

In cooperation with Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School, one of the most respected Italian Soccer Program in the world, DSM had the chance to bring its Director, Mr. Antonio Saviano to New Delhi to work with youth soccer students and youth soccer coaches in an effort to expend the knowledge of the beautiful game.

“If Mr. Chitaverdi would have asked me to come and work only with players I would simply told him I was not interested. But when he asked me to come and also work with coaches then I was very interested” said Mr. Antonio Saviano, Soccerkix Director. He went on to say: “I believe working with coaches is just as important as they can pass on the information to the players every time they train.”

India’s situation is like that of US 15-20 years ago. It started from juts children interested in playing the sport, competing with other popular sports such as baseball, basketball, etc. Today the US is one of the top international power on the women’s national side and the men’s national team has been ranked in top 10 many times in the FIFA Rankings.

The cooperation between DSM and Soccerkix was an effort to include interaction between professional coaches and youth soccer students as well as youth coaches of schools in and around Delhi, through classroom and practical presentations. A youth development program is already in place and it just needs to be tweaked to adapt the development methodology to the children in India.

Despite this was a short visit for a great exposure, the goal was to expose the children to a different type of player development system. A system that is geared to having FUN and build the important soccer skills in order to advance to the next level. Free training opportunities were given to over 500 children between the age of 5 – 16.

Mr. Hemanshu Chitaverdi, President of DSM said: “We have had wonderful response from players as well as coaches and we are looking forward for a long relationship”.

"I have noticed many children playing soccer but what I have noticed is that there is not a development program in place at the youth level and no coaching education and therefore these are the simple reasons why India many not be advanced as they should be” said Mr. Saviano. “I believe with the help of people like Mr. Hemanshu it will slowly change”.

The vision of DSM is to provide best of training and knowledge to upcoming soccer players in India. The vision is to offer the best player development program, therefore the use of the Soccerkix, Italian Premier Soccer School’s Development methodologies to influence positive technical social growth of players.

Soccerkix offers players around the world the opportunity to attend All-Year Soccer Boarding School and professional try-outs with some of the best Italian Soccer Clubs.

Mr. Saviano said: “If the children have the passion but there are no qualified coaches then there is a problem. If we can help coaches understand how to develop youth soccer players from an early age then you will definitely see talent come out from everywhere”.

Mr. Antonio visits included schools in Delhi & NCR like; Bal Bharti- Pitampura, Tagore Public School- East of Kailash, JBM Global School- Noida etc.

ROMA STADIUM PLANS UNVEILED

(ANSA) - Rome, September 29 - AS Roma on Tuesday unveiled plans to build a new stadium on the outskirts of the Italian capital.

Roma President Rosella Sensi said the idea of the club having its own stadium, instead of renting one from the city council, had ``always been at the centre`` of her late father Franco`s plans, as well as those of another historic club president, Dino Viola.

The 55,000-seater stadium, billed as family friendly and eco-advanced, is expected to be called after Franco Sensi.

Coach Claudio Ranieri said he liked the idea that the so-called `technical area`, where coaches sit, would be inset into the terraces like at Premier League grounds such as Chelsea`s, where he coached for two years. ``You feel like you`re together, a part of the crowd,``he said.

Roma skipper Francesco Totti, who is about to sign a three-year contract extension, said he ``hoped`` to see the new ground finished. ``It looks beautiful. I`d like to tread the turf of such a stadium,`` said the 35-year-old club icon. ``It will be tough for me to play long enough. I hope they get it built fast, he said.

Daniele De Rossi, widely touted to take over Totti`s mantle, said upon seeing the plans: ``You`ll be able to feel the fans living the game with you. Just imagine what it`ll be like having 60,000 Roma fans around you, so close``.

One of the longstanding gripes about Roma`s present home, the 1960 Olympic Stadium, is that the stands are too far back from the pitch to allow fans to make a full connection with the players.

No firm completion date has been set for the ground, which is yet to get full planning approval. The architect, Gino Zavanella, said it would be the first
``eco-sustainable`` stadium, with solar panels and a non-degradable and non-polluting titanium-zinc structure. ``It will be naturally ventilated and the turf will be irradiated,`` he added. Stressing that the stadium will be able to be evacuated ``in five minutes,`` Zavanella said it would have ``spaces set aside for families, children in particular...as well as a museum on the club`s history``.
``This stadium will be alive, on the inside and the outside, and it will continue to provide services to people all week``.

According to media reports the ground will be surrounded by a huge leisure and residential complex including a mall,cinemas, restaurants, bars, a swimming pool and perhaps also a new hotel.

Roma hopes its future home, backed by City Mayor Gianni Alemanno, will generate income comparable with that of the big Premier League or Liga clubs where a family atmosphere has kept hooligans at bay and a range of shops and other facilities have generated income for the transfer market. Mayor Alemanno insisted ``the ground is the club`s right``. He said initial reports from planning agencies had been``positive``.

Roma Administrative Director Cristina Mazzoleni said the club had not yet put a final price tag on the project. She cited construction experts as saying the ground would take ``24-26 months to build, once started``. ``We will try to involve local firms as much as possible,`` Mazzoleni added.

The other Roman club, SS Lazio, is also trying to get away from the Olimpico, which it rents along with Roma, and build its own ground on the other side of the city. But both projects still have to approved. ``If the culture ministry doesn`t say Ok they won`t go ahead,`` Culture Undersecretary Franco Giro said at the
presentation at Rome`s training camp. Giro said he ``knew nothing`` about reports that a Roman villa and necropolis had been unearthed during preliminary digs at the site opposite the Ancient Roman Via Aurelia about 10km from the city centre.

So far the only Italian soccer club to start work on a stadium it will own, rather than rent, is Juventus. Packed with amenities, the 105-million-euro stadium,
already rising from the ashes of the old Delle Alpi ground, is scheduled to open in northern Turin in 2011.

Onyewu: "It’s pretty amazing"

By Brooke Tunstall - ATLANTA, GA (Jul 22, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- You know you’ve made it big time when folks are dropping money to watch you practice. That, and it seems like half of your new teammates have won the World Cup. Not played in it, won it.

So it goes for US National Team defender Oguchi Onyewu, who was formally introduced yesterday at the Georgia Dome as famed club AC Milan’s newest acquisition. Afterwards, he took the practice field with his new teammates, which include two players from Brazil’s 2002 World Cup championship team and six from Italy’s team that lifted the trophy in 2006.

“It’s pretty amazing and humbling to be playing alongside these guys you’ve watched on TV and read about for so long,” said Onyewu, who earned his 47th cap in a strong showing for the US at last month’s Confederations Cup. “But at the same time, we all worked just as hard to get here and when I go out on the field I’m not thinking about who they are or what they’ve done. We’re all equals and I know I’ve earned the right to be out there with them.”

Onyewu certainly didn’t look out of place training alongside the likes of two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho, Dutch superstar Clarence Seedorf, and Italian icons Gianluca Zambrotta, Filippo Inzaghi and Andrea Pirlo.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said of his new teammates. And while they drew a lot of the oohs and aahhs from the fans who had paid 20.00 to watch Milan train for tonight’s exhibition with Mexican power Club America, when Onyewu converted a couple of headers during finishing drills, there were collective chants of “Goooooch” and “USA, USA.”

Onyewu modestly tried to shrug off their applause while pondering the notion of people paying to watch him train. “I don’t think that’s ever happened before, he said. “I guess it shows I’ve come a long away. I’ve come a long way since France.”

France would be wear the 27-year old started his pro career with Metz, a modest side known as an elevator team because they frequently drop down to the second division only to be promoted back to the top flight the following year. Onyewu signed with Metz in 2002 after his sophomore season at Clemson but after only three appearances he was loaned out to Belgium’s La Louviere in 2003 and a year later purchased by Belgian side Standard Liege, where he won a pair of league titles and blossomed into one of the top centerback prospects in Europe and catching Milan’s eye.

“We have a very positive relationship with Standard Liege and Oguchi’s performance the last two seasons, helping them win two straight championships, was a sign of his potential,” explained Milan sporting director Umberto Gandini. “We knew he was a free agent and his strong performance in Confederations Cup confirmed he was an excellent prospect for our club."

Umberto made a point to say that Milan had defensive problems last year, something Onyewu’s signing was expected to help correct. That Milan’s defense was second-best in Italy last season – only cross town rival Inter gave up fewer goals than the 35 Milan allowed – speaks to the high standards and the pressure that comes with signing at a club like Milan.

They’ve won Serie A 17 times and been European champions seven and are owned by billionaire Silvio Berlisconi – who in his spare time is prime minister of Italy – who isn’t hesitant to buy the club all the high-priced talent they need.

While that’s flattering for Onyewu, it also means he’ll be in a battle for playing time with loads of pressure to succeed. “First off, it’s an honor to be at a club with this history,” he said. “I know there will be a lot of pressure. But I welcome that, I think any player would. I know that I’m not guaranteed playing time but I’ve started at zero before. I wasn’t expected to be a starter when I got to Liege. But, I think when I get out there and show them what I can do that I’ll earn playing time. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”

Onyewu also knows he’s in rarified air as an American at one of the world’s elite clubs and as the first US National Team player since Alexi Lalas in the pre-MLS days to play in Serie A.

“I hope I can do well and it opens up doors for other Americans and gives them the same kind of opportunities,” he said.

Lalas, who is here to call tonight’s game for ESPN, expects Onyewu to flourish. “It’s such a great opportunity, both on and off the field,” he said. “Serie A has changed a lot since I played there but I think Gooch has all the tools needed to succeed. In some ways, I think he’ll be tested more mentally than physically. Not on the field. I think he’ll do fine mentally on the field. But the pressures off the field, the expectations that come from being part of such a big club, I think that will be his biggest challenge.”

Onyewu is up for the challenge, noting the appropriateness of tonight’s game being a couple of hours south of where he played his college ball. “It’s like good karma or something,” he said. “To be so close to Clemson and then to be starting with Milan here. I’m excited. I want to help this team win a lot of trophies. That would be pretty amazing.”

Veteran sportswriter Brooke Tunstall is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, NC. He can be reached at BrookeTunstall@aim.com

EXCLUSIVE: Alexi Lalas: “A Brilliant Move” By Milan And Onyewu

The former U.S. international and Serie A defender is full of praise for Oguchi Onyewu's transfer to AC Milan.

When the news of Oguchi Onyewu’s signing with Italian giants AC Milan broke, former US star Alexi Lalas smiled. The only American international to play in Serie A in the modern era, Lalas was pleased to see another compatriot finally get a chance in Italy’s top league and believes the Rossoneri’s decision to sign Onyewu was very intelligent.

“I think it’s incredibly smart move by AC Milan,” Lalas told Goal.com. “Defense has obviously been a weakness for Milan and from an economic standpoint it was also obvious that they weren’t going to spend lavishly. So they had to be smart with their money. Onyewu isn’t a big name player, he’s relatively young, he’s inexpensive and as far as I’m concerned he’s as good a centerback as what they already have.”

“Gooch,” as Onyewu is nicknamed, arrives in Milan on a free transfer from Belgian side Standard Liege. The 6’4” centerback was a big part of the back-to-back championships won by Les Rouches and the side’s run to the knockout stage of last season’s UEFA Cup. These experiences have been vital to his progress, Lalas says, and were definitely a factor in the signing.

“Regardless of the fact that he’s American, he has proven himself in Europe, albeit at a smaller league,” Lalas said. “Milan have been able to track him and see him play.”

Lalas, who played for Calcio Padova in Serie A from 1994-96, has no advice for Onyewu except to “learn Italian as quickly as possible.” The pressure, Lalas says, will not come from the jersey Onyewu is wearing but the passport he holds.

“Obviously playing at one of the world’s biggest clubs there will be pressure,” Lalas said. “But on the other hand, you’re also playing with very good players. The pressure will be more because he’s an American than the fact that he’s playing at AC Milan.”

But Lalas believes Onyewu has the tools to overcome any of the pressures and succeed in Italy’s top league.

“Most Italian clubs have at least one big forward, an Ibrahimovic, a Iaquinta, or whoever, and I think he’ll match up very well against those big forwards that a lot of these teams have,” Lalas said. “As a matter of fact, I think he’ll gobble them up.”

Goal.com article

For more on Americans in Europe, visit Goal.com's Americans Abroad page.

Ancelotti Outlines The Challenge Of Becoming Chelsea Boss And Learning English

The experienced Italian provided his first ever interview conducted in English.Alan Dawson

(June 1st Goal.com) - Carlo Ancelotti's induction into Premier League life and Chelsea Football Club has polarised opinion as some quarters believe the Italian's inability to speak fluent English may prove a stumbling block to instant results and success.

The former AC Milan boss, though, today gave a full interview to Chelsea TV in which he expressed gratitude to his former club, while also indicating how he will put all his new energy into the Stamford Bridge side.

Pausing in his delivery of deliberate but well-thought-out English, Ancelotti said, "Milan for me was a great experience as for five years we played as a great team and we won a lot of success. For eight years I got to train a great team but now I think that the time is to change and Chelsea, for me, was a great opportunity and a great time for a new experience."

Regarding linguistic challenges, he said, "This is the first interview in English I have done and for me it is not easy! I want to learn and to improve, though, and in time for the start of the new season I will speak well.

"It is important for me to speak to the operators who will work with me, the assistant, and the players."

He continued, "I want to say thank you to Milan. But now is the right moment for a new challenge and I want to put all my new energy into Chelsea."

On how how he will adapt to life at a club where the ambitions and expectations are high, he said, "There will be the same pressures [at Chelsea as there are at Milan].

"Chelsea and Milan are both great teams in Europe and they both want to win all the competitions so there will be the same pressures," he concluded.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com (click here to read article on goal.com)

All About Italian Soccer Boarding School

Wilmington, NC - (May 27th, 09) - The All Year Scuola Calcio, Italian Soccer Boarding School will help improve player’s technical and tactical skills while studying in a different country.

Young soccer players from North America and around the world can improve their technical and tactical soccer skills by attending one of the best and one of the most affordable soccer boarding schools in the world. Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School offers soccer players age 14 and up the opportunity of a lifetime.

Players can attend a full year or half year academic soccer school in Italy. Players can attend High School or University in the morning and in the afternoon train with Italian professional soccer coaches, and have a chance not only to learn a new language but also immerse themselves in the daily cultural lifestyle.

Students who attend the Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer Boarding school program get the chance to see how it really is to live in a country where soccer is the number one sport. “Not only do players improve technically and tactically but they have the opportunity to experience and be part of another culture, from speaking a new language to what they eat. Students learn to be a part of a team outside of their families” said Antonio Saviano, Scuola Calcio North America Coordinator.

Mr. Saviano added” “We kept the tuition fees for this program more affordable compared to other programs alike because we understand how important it is for serious soccer players that want to attend. This gives them a chance to afford to go. We have not raised our tuition fees for the last four years”.

“Players currently attending the Scuola Calcio Program not only receive quality soccer training but the Highs School subjects they study are exactly what they need for to graduate when and if they decide to come back to the US" said Mr. Saviano.

The Scuola Calcio Boarding School is located in the beautiful city of Perugia. Perugia is located nearly at the center of Italy. It is the capital of the Umbria region, known as the "Green Heart of Italy". Perugia is a lively medieval walled hill town with many historic buildings, people-filled squares, and modern shops. It's home to a university and a large Italian language school for foreigners.

The Scuola Calcio Programs are designed for competitive soccer players, both male and female who aspire towards playing collegiate and/or professional levels of soccer. The boarding schools are for both high school and university level students between the ages of 14 and 24.

Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School will help all participating students and their families through the process of enrolling, from paper work to applying for the student visa. Scuola Calcio provides full guidance for participating players.

This program will help prepare students for the competitive environment of international soccer. Students train four to five days of the week. Throughout the year, players have also the opportunity to be seen and scouted during specific oriented soccer activities.

Registration is now open for the Italian Soccer Boarding School Program. You can get more information by visiting our website at www.soccerkix.com or by calling 800-954-7086 or by email: info@soccerkix.com

About Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School:

The Scuola Calcio (soccer school) program represents a unique opportunity for the young soccer student to grow in an environment filled with talent. The main goal is to always improve the technical and tactical aspects of the game of soccer but with an emphasis on developing players that will be better people on and off the field. The program is administered by some of the most qualified instructors in the world, with the objective of being one of the best systems in the world, the Scuola Calcio has opened affiliates in many different parts of the world.

Italian Soccer Boarding School - 2009 Registration Open

Scuola Calcio, Italian Premier Soccer School is the only Italian Soccer School that offers All-Year Boarding School for High School and University students in a “true” professional environment. Scuola Calcio gives an opportunity not only to North American students but students all over the world to play soccer in Italy under the guidance of professional Italian soccer coaches with UEFA/FIGC license and at the same time be enrolled in “true” professional and semi-professional Italian environment.

The All-Year Soccer Boarding School represents a worldwide initiative and it consists of a combined soccer and academic program. It will help to enhance the technical development and abilities of young players as well as give the them an opportunity to study.

During the All-Year Soccer Boarding School, Scuola Calcio Technical staff will evaluate the technical abilities and skills of each soccer player to plan a future development in a professional team. It is also possible based on the ability of each player to schedule official tryouts so the players have the chance to be exposed and show their qualities to different professional teams.
The All-Year Soccer Boarding School has a duration of 9 months (from September to June). Scuola Calcio also offers a Month Long Training program. This program is mor eflexible as the dates can be chosen by the players and is also available for a week or two weeks.
Players train everyday of the week for two hours or more per session. Players also have the opportunity to confront themselves with professional and semiprofessional soccer clubs and to participate periodically in friendly games.

The All-Year Soccer Boarding School will provide more then technical enhancement. Students attend classes everyday as they are enrolled into the Italian scholastic institute the Convitto Nazional di Assisi.

Students are provided with a full time tutor to satisfy their own needs and necessities, helping them to familiarize themselves with the Italian language and to integrate them into a new country. All these conditions are a guarantee for the participants and for their families.
The All-Year Soccer Boarding School is available for boys and girls from 14-18 years old.

Registration is now open. Registration deadline is July 30th, 2009, however there is some paper work involved so act today. You can find out more about Scuola Calcio and its programs by visiting www.soccerkix.com