A family divided: Dandenong South’s Italo-Australian club members Karen and Peter Madafferi were torn apart temporarily as the Socceroos clashed with Italy this week at the World Cup in Germany. Sons Jaiden and Anthony didn’t want to choose a favourite, appeasing both parents by wearing Australian and Italian colours.By Shaun Inguanzo
ALLEGIANCES were tested at Dandenong South’s Italo-Australian Club this week as the Socceroos clashed with Italy in a breathtaking and controversial World Cup round of 16 match.
Italy won 1-0 after a last-minute penalty kick was awarded to star Italian striker Francesco Totti, who slid the ball past gallant Socceroos’ goalie Mark Schwarzer.
But the real attraction was the crowd of locals – some Italian-born, some Australian-born – who after years supporting Italy because Australia failed to qualify for the World Cup were for the first time confronted by the decision of for who they should barrack.
Prior to the match, Italian-born Guy del Vecchio said he would barrack for Australia having lived most of his life in the country.
“I like Australia, and the Socceroos have put soccer on the map here, I will be going for them for sure,” he said.
Close friend Fortunato Grossa has lived in Australia for 40 years and said he too would barrack for the Socceroos. But for husband and wife Peter and Karen Madafferi, it was a family rivalry so intense that the winner was heading for a lonely night’s sleep on the living room couch.
“The Italians will do it easy,” said Peter, who was born in Australia but says he was raised an Italian.
“I’ve supported Italy all my life and I am not about to change ships just because the Socceroos are there,” he said.
Australian-born Karen, who has no Italian lineage, said she was a Socceroos fan through and through, and walked off from her husband as he whipped into a pro-Italia rant.
“(The Socceroos’) passion can’t compete with Italy’s skill,” he said.
But it was Malvern’s Daniel Formoso who arguably summed it up for the later generation Italo-Australians.
“I’ve barracked for Italy for years but Australia is where I live, so tonight I am going for the Socceroos,” he said.
“They’re my first team, Italy is my second.”
