CONIFA Time

CONIFA, the association for the unaffliated lands is back. After a period in hiatus, they have re-launched, and ready to go with this mini Euros competition. New regions have signed up, adding a diverse flavour to the recipe. With more members (they currently claim 50 plus worldwide), it all bodes well for the longevity of the competitions on offer, but with more lanyards than paying public here in Italy, the question needs to be asked, is it worthwhile?

Verano Brianza and Carate Brianza might technically be two places, but in truth, the join is seamless, running from one to the other. Indeed, the sports facilities at the colossal sized Sportitalia village in the Milano hinterland, cleverly sits right on the borderline between the two Brianza’s. The smaller football stadium is in Verano, along with the majority of the complex, but the main stadium, home to newly promoted to Serie C, Folgore Caratese, together with the tennis and padel courts, are found over the border in Carate. It’s a very thin line of separation.

The Brianza brothers are not tourist places. I went for a stroll around Verano ahead of the football, on the look out for a nice post match restaurant, as well as somewhere for a late morning espresso. I found neither! The odd shop, one closed restaurant and far too many American burger outlets. My hotel in Guissano was the nearest to the competition, as my walk failed to see another hotel in the vicinity. It’s all very modern, very clean, but unspectacular. This is commutersville.

Folgore doubtlessly have ambitious and big backers. In a relatively sleepy area with far too many top flight options on the doorstep; Monza is the closest, but Como and Milan are easily accessible. It all makes getting Folgore up the leagues an even more commendable effort. This coming season will be the club’s first ever in Serie C.

That said, Italy really doesn’t need yet more Lombardian sides in the professional ranks. However, a bit like the sprouting success of clubs in and around the M25 ring road in England, here in the Milan region, it’s the prosperous North equivalent. You will always find a buck or two available for investment in these areas.

My travels commenced on the opening day of the CONIFA competition, but a foretelling of what lay in store for me came while still at home, the opening ceremony had been cancelled due to likely storm conditions later in the day. For once, the weatherman was spot on.

It was perhaps the most treacherous day of inclement weather I have ever encountered in Italy, and believe me, I have been here lots.

The flight out was delayed due to the weather events in the Milan area, and subsequently, the flight path was altogether more circuitous, endeavouring to plot a path avoiding the worst of the extremely visible thunder storms. Alas, those pesky clouds hadn’t moved on, and the plane took height off going round and round in a safe area of sky, before gunning the engines and making a bid for landing straight into the darkest, most foreboding clouds I can ever recall seeing from a few thousand feet up. Two flashes of lightening were witnessed not so far off just before we hit the runway. It’s very much a South American thing, rapturous applause upon landing, but here in normally restrained Europe, a well deserved clap rippled through a relieved cabin.

Needless to say, it was absolutely hosing it down, and with brolly locked away in suitcase etc, the last thing I, or those behind me needed, was a mother actively encouraging, and having fun with her daughter, jumping from step to step in the water as they disembarked. The net result was suitably bedraggled and damp clothing to present myself to the passport control bloke.

Once at Milano Centrale station, having stayed on the Metro to get there, the roof of this extraordinary building was a cacophony of noise. The rain truly had reached biblical proportions, a phrase to often used, until this very moment in time! A look out at the end of the lengthy platforms gave an inkling of just how heavy it was, complete with the near total darkness, and it wasn’t even 8pm on a ‘summer’s’ night!

It had eased to merely persistently heavy by the time I alighted at Seregno. I only had 6 kilometres to reach my hotel, and having done my research, I saw the local cab company ran its services from just outside the station. There were none when I hit the street, but given the weather, I knew they’d be busy. After 45 minutes, failure to see even one started getting me concerned. It was too wet to walk.

I contacted the hotel, and reception initially thought it was too late to get one, but a second conversation suggested that they were working, just rather busy. Upon a third chat, 2 hours after I had arrived in Seregno, he’d given up. However, his solution was absolutely superb. He jumped in his own car and brought me back! A big shout out to Franco for such attention and service. While we are handing out gongs, can we name and shame Trenord too. Despite trains running until nearly midnight, when the ticket office closes, the entire station is locked. There wasn’t even as much as a canopy to shelter under. My wee brolly did a splendid job, even if movement in any direction by a fraction led to a soaking!

I usually book somewhere near a station, or with good accessibility, but I had chosen my Guissano base purely on its proximity to the football for the next couple of days. Horrific rain hadn’t been a factor. Neither had the notion that the 2nd of June is Republic day in Italy, therefore a holiday, and  the 4 strong local cab company were potentially on half or quarter capacity!

While all my shenanigans were unfolding, day one at CONIFA had seen a protracted second game, with Padania v Raetia players taken off at the height of the rain. Goodness knows when they finished, most likely after 9pm, with Padania back in action a mere 15 hours later. Brescia v Ascoli in the Serie C Play-off final had been abandoned too. Northern Lombardia was getting a soaking, not just me!

The sun was back uninterrupted for day 2, but the ensuing sweltering heat might not have been the best thing for Padania’s second opponent (they won 4,1 v Raetia in the rain), and the sole reason I was here, to see Greenland.

With CONCACAF closing the door on Greenland, or so I thought, the world’s largest island have joined CONIFA. A post match catch up with Morten Rutkjaer, the Greenland boss, revealed that three top lawyers have been quietly working away at the highest Court for Sport on this very subject. A ruling is due imminently and he was smiling!

Given the American (or Mr Trump) rhetoric on Greenland, someone needs to give these football crazy islanders a home, where they can feel part of a family. UEFA really should have been the one, but Spain throwing the toys out of the pram when Gibraltar were granted such status, seems to have forever closed that particular door.

In this encounter, as witnessed in Silkeborg last year, Greenland were proving both adept at controlling passages of play, and tactically aware. To put this all into context, their last competitive outing was 363 days earlier. The way they impressed in Denmark in 2025 meant one player won a contract with a Norwegian club. However, as I discovered from Morten, he was not available as non UEFA/FIFA tournaments don’t require obligation on the clubs to release players.

While one of the star name in the squad might have been missing, and despite going a goal down, they merely rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in. After half-time Greenland were in control, with the equaliser well deserved on 55 minutes. A fine thump into the far corner by Adam Ejler Hansen having cut in on the defender and led him a merry dance.

An old adage came to pass though. A team is never more vulnerable than just after scoring. Padania went straight up the park to score a tidy goal, immediately regaining the lead. The heat was playing a factor, but Greenland kept coming forward. They knew with a loss the final was beyond them. They fashioned some openings, amidst Padania resorting to fairly scurrilous tactics; feigning injury, nipping at the referee and generally wasting time, while spoiling for a fight. To be fair to the Greenlandic lads, they didn’t get involved.

Alas, as time ticked down and men being sent ever increasingly forward, the goalkeeper made a mistake, and it was 3-1. Still they wouldn’t give up, but their efforts were to no avail. Padania had won it, and were secure in the knowledge they would compete in Saturday’s final.

The Greenland scorer, whose parents were on hand watching, told me he was unavailable for the next match. He was flying back to Denmark that night to sit an exam the next morning (which he passed), then heading back for the final game on Saturday. Another example of the extraordinary dedication from amateur players, which made the antics of Padania both unnecessary and obscene. If amateur competition sinks to the levels in the monied world of the sport, we are all doomed.

For the second offering of the double bill, you had to vacate the ground and have a separate ticket! Ticino, the Italian Canton of Switzerland were playing Northen Cyprus, one of the stalwarts of the CONIFA family, although this was their first International outing since 2018. Turkish Cyprus really is one of the great anomalies of the world. Steadfastly independent from the rest of Cyprus, with barely a country recognising it as such.

Here in Carate Brianza, the Northern Cyprus side had the best support of all six entries. It will perhaps come as no surprise to learn that they were easily the best team witnessed on the day. Ticino had nibbled a 1-0 opening game win before the rain the day before, versus the Provence of Rouet from Southern France. Despite winning the best shirt of the quartet I viewed (a lovely red, white and blue number), they were absolutely second best in every facet of this game.

It took the Cypriots a while to get their sights fixed, with some near and comedy misses, before they went in front on the half hour mark, complete with an excessive celebration that saw one of the players injured!

After the break, they went hunting more, and within fifteen minutes they had whacked home another three, some with lavish aplomb. A fifth had the Turkish contingent in raptures, only for a late copy book spoiler, with a consolation penalty award to the beleaguered Swiss. The substitute goalkeeper no less step up to stroke it home. A moment on joy amongst a savage beating.

Northern Cyprus will be in the final, Rouet won’t be stopping this juggernaut. For Greenland avoiding defeat against Raetia, an Alpine regional team, predominantly Austrian, tomorrow, and a third/fourth play off for versus Ticino would be a nice tie for the weekend.

Day 3 of competition, my second and final day of viewing the action. But before a ball was kicked, I started with a greater determination to find something of note in either of the Brianza’s to bring you. I drew another blank, unless you have a penchant for shrines. Even ASDO Verano’s wee stadio is in the shadow of the biggest church in the vicinity.

While direct sunshine was limited, it was still muggy warm, but potentially less draining for Greenlanders. This was my third time watching them play, and yet, rather oddly every time they trot out, it has been in their fine light blue kit. A decision that baffles, but another excuse to make sure I see them again. One day I will see them in red and white, the colours of the flag no less.

In this match versus Raetia, Greenland literally flew out of the traps, scoring one of the fastest goals in the history of football. My amateur clocking had it down as 8 seconds, but speaking to the 4th official at half-time (he was up in the stand), he thought 9 seconds. No matter, it was surely the fastest goal ever by Greenland, and potentially in the history of CONIFA. Rene Eriksen Petersen just wrote himself into the history books with a fine finish so early in the game.

It set the bar, and settled Greenland down. They totally dominated their Austrian opponents from start to finish. It would end 4-1, but sloppy finishing denied them a bigger margin of victory, especially when the fourth went in with thirty minutes to play.

On Saturday they will play for 3th/4th place. Post match chat intriguingly centred on the notion Greenland are trying to organise a four team tournament for next summer up on the island! It would be the first ever time an International competition has ever been hosted on Greenland. Quite an occasion, count me in if it happens.

The conclusion of my quartet of games saw the impressive Northern Cyprus take on Rouet. Ahead of kick off, the French had been tempting the Greenland fans with the offer of a tase of their homemade Pastis. A rich aniseed smell invaded the stand, and while it might be quite a strong drink, it is mere water in a cup to anyone of a Nordic persuasion!

The Rouet fans, who had frustrated me with their support for Raetia during the Greenland match, came into their own when the French Provencal side took to the field. As forewarned yesterday, Northern Cyprus were too strong, wracking up a comfortable 4-0 to head to the final. However, Rouet’s fans were a reminder of the essence of sport, it’s all just a game at the end of the day. They encouraged their heroes throughout, and despite failing to score (the only team who haven’t scored), the post match interaction between players and fans was a joy to behold. They will now play Raetia for the wooden spoon, and while they haven’t managed a goal yet, this team will have enough in the locker to beat the Austrian side, who in truth are the poorest in the competition. If Rouet score, it might just be the highlight of the four days of competition, these fans will go crazy. They deserve that moment of joy.

So there you have it, my three day sojourn to my first ever CONIFA competition. It’s just a pity it wasn’t better supported by the general public, because these are the sort of events that still give hope, and life to the true spirit of the game.

Postscript to my trip; Greenland beat Ticino 3,2 to finish third. It was the first ever International honour for them, and they were suitably thrilled. The lad who scored versus Padania, then went home to sit an exam, had the pleasure of clinching the win ten minutes from time. Northern Cyprus were imperious throughout and put 6 by Padania to clinch the title. At the end, the Italians were truly unsporting and neither willing to shake hands or hang around an applaud the winners receiving the trophy. A desperate situation for an amateur competition.

At the time of submission no news regarding the court appeal for Greenland being accepted into CONCACAF. I remain hopeful.

GETTING THERE

The Brianza towns of Verano and Carate are just north of Monza, a little south of Lecco, and easily accessible from Milan. The nearest train stop is Seregno, and provided it isn’t tipping it down, the stadium is 7km flat walk. Taxis are not interested in ‘short’ commissions! The local population only use them to go to Milan or the airports. Neither town has much to offer for food, but the restaurant at the Sportitalia village will cater for any pre or post match nosh, from full pizza to a sandwich.