From the archives: LI fans celebrate after World Cup win

This story was originally published in Newsday on July 10, 2006

At Nico's Caffe Calabria in Glen Cove, 50 Cup-crazed Italy fans erupted as they watched Italian defender Fabio Grosso's penalty kick sail into the back corner of the net to clinch the World Cup.

A frenzied crowd, most decked out in the Italian team's traditional blue and white colors, waving the Italian flags proudly in the air, flooded out of the cafe and onto Glen Street. Honking car horns and celebratory chants filled the air.

The atmosphere resembled that of a holiday parade. Giant Italian flags lay draped across the hoods of cars as some of the vehicles' passengers, some with painted faces, hung from the windows waving to the crowd gathered outside the cafe.

Variations on that scene played out across the Island yesterday at Nassau and Suffolk eateries where Italy fans gathered to celebrate their heritage - and more importantly, Italy's first World Cup championship since 1982.

Italian-born Andy Zichi, owner of Bella Italia restaurant in Miller Place, was on the phone with his cousin in Italy during the penalty kicks where Italy triumphed over France.

"They see the game 30 seconds before us," Zichi said, referring to the broadcast time delay. "He let out a shout, then I started yelling, and everyone in the restaurant knew we had won."

Italy fans across Long Island said this win was meant to be.

"I was a little nervous during penalty kicks, but it shows God is up there," Enzo Pisano, 51, who came to Glen Cove from Calabria 40 years ago, said amid the celebration on Glen Street. "He made up for the ref's bad calls," Pisano said.

The city of Glen Cove, and its Italian-American soccer fans, believe the sport is more popular than ever in some areas on Long Island.

"You see this town, and the passion these people have?" asked Frank Casale, 48, of Glen Cove, as he peered out at the parade-like atmosphere in the street. "I'm an Italian-American, but today, I'm Italian."

Dressed in a personalized Azzuri jersey with his name on the back, Vincenzo DiGraci, 34, was just one of the hundreds of Italy fans from Glen Cove and one of the more than 700,000 Italian-Americans that make up a quarter of Long Island's population, celebrating Italy's thrilling win yesterday.

"I've waited 24 years, since I was 10 years old, and finally we did it," said DiGraci.

Luigi Tridico, of Oyster Bay, who is more known for his role on the hit reality show, "Growing Up Gotti," than for his love for the Italian national team, said, "We finally did it this year. Usually we wind up on the losing side."

Standing outside his store, Joseph Raso, a native of Calabria, smiled from ear-to-ear as he celebrated his country's win with the rest of the fans. Raso, who opened Nico's Caffe Calabria 20 years ago, said the people of Glen Cove are some of the best soccer fans in the country.

"See all of this, all these fans?" Raso asked pointing out to the sea of blue and white. "It's really a beautiful thing. That's Glen Cove."

The game proved a draw to fans on the South Shore and beyond.

About 150 people waving Italian flags dressed in team colors set up shop at Amici Family Style Restaurant in Massapequa, owner Francesco Iacono said.

"There was a lot of hugging, kissing and crying going on after the game," Iacono said.

At Mamas Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Holbrook, a couple of dozen staffers took in the match while they worked, chanting "Italia, Italia!"

"They were off the wall," said Pam Suarez, 17, who works at the counter. "They were jumping for joy."

Restaurant manager Alfonso Aversano, 53, said they planned to celebrated last night with a little bubbly - French champagne.

"They have the best champagne," he said. "But now, we're the best in soccer."

Staff writers Wil Cruz and Jennifer Smith contributed to this story.