S.P.A.L 1 V PARMA 0 - STADIO PAULO MAZZA - SERIE A - 5th OCTOBER 2019

SPAL  =   Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor (Society of Art and Work) and they were formed in 1907 mainly as a religious and cultural society. It was not until after the 1st World War in 1919 and after the sports part of the organisation was added   that the team began playing in national organised competition with entry to the then second tier tournament. Much of their existence since has been a mixture in all three leagues but the majority of  time has been spent  in Serie C.  At the end of the 2024-25 season SPAL had sunk to Serie C again from their mid table Serie A  finish 5 years earlier. In June 2025 SPAL  announced that they would not particitpate in Serie C  the following season due to financial issues. At the beginning of the 2025/26 season SPAL, under the name Ars et Labor Ferrara, were registered in the regional Eccelenza league of the Emilia Romagna region. Effectively, the 5th division in Italian football.

Getting there - S.P.AL in the cracking little city of Ferrara, is 30 minute train ride from Bologna. Stadio Paulo Mazza is more of less halfway between the station and the attractive city so count on a 10 minute walk if heading to the stadium direct from the station. Id certainly recommend arriving early and heading into the city,  Ferrara is  a world heritage site and you wont be disappointed in having a few beers and a bite to eat  around some of the main and side street bars and restaurants. 

Getting in - At the time of this match versus Parma they were hovering just above the Serie A relegation zone. Tickets were not difficult to get via Vivaticket in the section behind the goal and opposite the packed out ultras terrace.  

What its like - The atmosphere is great at S.P.A.L, especially when they are 1-0 up, down to 10 men and beating a local rival. This was my first game in Italy since England beat Egypt at Italia 90 in Cagliari and was meant to be a sideshow  to the following days Inter v Juventus game but i enjoyed this much more.  Paulo Mazza  is  pretty modern and unlike many Italian arenas , doesnt have a running track and  has  four box type stands around  the pitch. You could say a British style stadium.

For this game they had Napoli striker Petagna on loan for the season  and he scored what turned out to be the winner in the 1st half.  Despite losing a man to a sending off halfway through the  second half, they held on for a win. The stands were packed and the  atmosphere in the final 10 mins was cracking. Ferrara and SPAL is very much recommended for a visit.