The smile of those who grew up in New York and the speaker of those who rediscovered their roots among the vineyards of Umbria and the warmth of Naples. Frankie Stola, the “talismano” and MVP of Guelfi Firenze and the Italian Bowl, is the modern face of an Italian football that lowers the boundaries. In the field he is a dominant receiver, relentless and secure of his own means, protected by the talent of the comrades who considers true brothers. Outside the rectangle of play is a boy guided by the curiosity of exploring the world, deeply linked to the sacrifices of his family and able to unite under the same flag the dream to five circles of the Flag Football and the love for the simplicity of a day on the beach. A total sample that plays with America in the heart and Blue on the skin.
By now they define you a real “lucky luck”, since wherever you go the titles: two badges in two seasons with the Guelphs, the MVP prize in Ferrara and the European Flag Football with Italy. Do you feel a bit magic or is it just the fruit of hard work? And now that you are stably the team to beat, how are you experiencing this historic “back-to-back” even at the dressing room and celebrations?
“I was simply lucky to find myself in the right situations, with a huge team chemistry and a winning culture that stimulates me and allows me to elevate my companions too. This second title was different from that won in Toledo, Ohio, last year. There was the crowning of a special year in which we were not yet fully aware of how we could be dominant. This year, on the other hand, we were the team to beat; everyone faced us by giving 100%, and winning in front of the Italian public in Ferrara was incredible. The fans were crazy: choirs, drums, flags, smokers… a unique energy that we felt clearly in the air and that IFL and FIDAF were very good at gathering in a single big weekend for the whole movement.
As for the title of MVP… I am only the product of the work of the other ten boys in the field; their talent gives me freedom and confidence to play the best. The locker room? We are a united group, composed of some of my now best friends. We will celebrate a lot more: the city of Florence has invited us for different initiatives, we will make the classic round on a “party bus” as in the past years and later there will be the ceremony of delivery of the rings. We know that teams change each year between retreats and transfers, so being taken this moment and writing history as the best team in Italy was absolutely something special. What motivates me to continue to win is just this: love for the game, make touchdowns and understand how much we can still be dominant along with my “brothers”.
Photo credits: Daniele Bettazzi
Your arrival in Florence tastes like a return home for an Italian-American with double citizenship. How was the impact with the Italian lifestyle, the bond with your family traveling to follow you and your hidden passions, such as work in the cellar and love for the sea?
“It’s an incredible experience that gave me friendships for life. Having already played in Germany and Spain, I always felt it essential to travel to see the world from different perspectives. From Italian-American, I will always be grateful to football for taking me to Florence. I am lucky to have a fantastic family: I grew up in Long Island with two brothers and sport shaped our childhood. Knowing that my parents and brothers face such a long journey to see me play means everything to me, I play for them too.
In addition, I’ve turned Italy a lot and it’s hard to find a place I don’t like. I even lived and worked in Umbria in a winery… so yes, you can say you love wine! Having origins in the casertan, I have often been to Naples and I love madly the energy of that city. But coming from Long Island, I especially love the sea, whether sand or rock doesn’t matter. There is a big difference from the beaches in the United States: in America there are ocean waves and people do much more body surfing, bringing everything from home; in Italy there is the Mediterranean, so the water is calmer, the atmosphere is more relaxed, you drink, you enjoy… it is the true “sweet life” even at the seaside. Even with the tongue it goes great: I am not very fluid, but I speak quite well! I’ve been playing in the locker room forever. Having worked in Umbria and attended the national gatherings, I often found myself in contexts where only Italian was spoken, and this helped me quickly develop an idiom that at home, in New York, we did not use much”.
Photo credits: Antonio Bua
National Chapter: Last year you won the European Flag Football in Blue. What does that shirt mean to you, how do you see the future of this discipline in view of the Olympics? Finally, a culinary curiosity: what Italian food best describes your way of playing?
“To wear the blue shirt and to feel the union under the same flag was surreal, a great honor. Before that, I almost never played flag football and it’s a really different sport than tackle. Once I understood the tactics and the right movements, I had a lot of fun, also because I played with fantastic athletes and I was also summoned by the National tackle, the “Blue-Team”. Now that the flag is growing rapidly in view of the Olympics, the goal for Italy is simple: keep your foot on the accelerator and continue to dominate. In August there will be the World Championships, a crucial appointment to center Olympic qualification. Thinking of the Olympics for a football player is crazy; growing up was not even a contemplable dream, since it was never an Olympic discipline. But football has already brought me into incredible places and if my way should lead me to there, it would be an indescribable experience.
As for the question about food… I’ve been thinking about it for a moment and I know that this answer will start a lot of discussions among purists: I choose pizza in New York style! I am Italian-American, my ancestors come from here but I grew up in New York, where we do things a little differently, and I brought my experience and mentality here in Italy, so I would say that it is as an answer!
I wanted to thank the Guelphs: I love this team, our fans have shown us an immense affection throughout the season and especially at the Italian Bowl and I think this is just the beginning of something special. The potential for the future is enormous.”.
L’articolo Frankie Stola, WR dei Guelfi Firenze e MVP dell’Italia Bowl: parla il talisman del back-to-back proviene da IlNewyorkese.
