"Naples is experiencing a moment of self-recognition and rediscovery of its greatness," says author Angelo Forgione.įootball Focus: Napoli on verge of ending 33-year wait for Serie A title
Sporting success coincides with a tourist boom. Expats wanting to celebrate, football fans intrigued by Napoli's story and visitors unexpectedly caught up in this historic moment are descending on the city. Hotel rooms for the next couple of months have nearly all gone. Life-size cutouts of the current squad stand in one piazza, club shirts and player posters are pegged to washing lines in alleyways, and youngsters queue for half a block to buy Napoli-coloured panino at popular sandwich shop Con Mollica o Senza. Buildings and steps have been painted the same hues. In the Quartieri Spagnoli, throughout Naples' historic centre, up to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Fuorigrotta and beyond, the streets are decked with blue and white festoons. Provisions are in place for another huge party on 4 June - the final day of the season - as Naples bathes in the glory of a first championship since Diego Maradona strolled these narrow streets. That ended in a draw and those celebrations were put on hold, but they can finally be cranked up to full volume after Napoli clinched the title as far away from home as it is possible for them to travel in Serie A, at Udinese.
I Partenopei's game against Salernitana last Sunday was even moved back 24 hours as officials feared the potential for huge celebrations would clash with a major comic book convention. Some feared the city won't cope with a party 33 years in the making. Even the usually superstitious Neapolitans have for months acknowledged this is their year. Flags hailing the club's third championship hang from balconies, banners with "100% campione" ripple in the breeze.
Napoli have cantered to a first title since 1990.
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