An old-fashioned football (the European kind) pre-game party took place at Trattoria Cinque Tribeca Wednesday night, the sort one might hope to wander into when in Florence or Rome.
The Italy vs. Cameroon World Cup warm-up that took place in Monte Carlo Wednesday playing on the flat-screens (a dull 0-0 draw in which the Azzurri were held scoreless) provided a game-play context, but the ostensible reason for the gathering was more akin a Fashion Week event.
Puma unveiled the 2010 World Cup uniforms for the Italian national team (who are the defending world champs, after winning the tourney in 2006). The team is often referred to as the Azzurri owing to the distinctive blue color of their jerseys, so new kits (as football fans refer to the uniforms) are not to be taken lightly (if the Italians in attendance sporting jerseys and giant blue wigs at Trattoria Cinque are any indication anyway).
It's the custom in many parts of Italy for locals (and their guests) to gather at the neighborhood trattoria before a big game, where the proprietor offers antipasti (salumi and cheeses), bread and light fare to fans gratis, while passing around jugs of wine. Trattoria Cinque did not disappoint in this with regard with to go around and when the World Cup storms South Africa in three months, it might be many Italians go-to spot on game days.
