A Final for the Few
June 1, 2026
12 April 2026 was a day to remember for Padova fans. Not just for the result on the pitch, but for what it symbolised: the long-awaited inauguration of the new Curva Sud. For years, this moment felt distant, and last season, frustration reached its peak as supporters boycotted home matches in Serie C and instead followed the team only on away days. Stories that will be explored further in Photo Curva Volume 3, to be released at the end of April.
To understand the weight of this day, you have to go back to the club’s earlier home. For seven decades, Padova played at Stadio Silvio Appiani, a traditional English-style ground built in 1924. It created an intense matchday atmosphere, with no athletics track and stands tight to the pitch. The stadium was well integrated into the city, just a short walk from the centre, making it easily accessible and part of everyday life for supporters. Today, it is still used for youth matches and occasional friendlies.
That connection was broken in 1994, when Padova moved to Stadio Euganeo, a newly built multi-purpose stadium on the outskirts of the city. Like many Italian clubs at the time, the move was meant to represent progress through modern infrastructure, larger crowds, and a venue capable of hosting more than just football. Instead, it created distance. The athletics track pushed fans away from the pitch and weakened the atmosphere, while the location, around seven kilometres from the city centre, made access difficult and changed the matchday experience.
Over time, the stadium became a symbol of disconnection between the team and its supporters. In 2021, hope returned with the announcement of a new south stand, but the project was slowed by delays and technical issues, and for a long time remained uncertain.
Until now.
When the Curva Sud finally opened, the response was immediate. Against Empoli, tickets in the new stand sold out in less than two hours. At the start of the match, the players were welcomed by a full curva, filled with flags and smoke bombs under the banner: TUTTI IN CURVA SUD NEL CUORE UNA CITTÀ (All in the Curva Sud – one city in our hearts.)
The atmosphere felt different, as a sense of connection began to return. The support was constant, built around melodic chants, even if the length of the lyrics occasionally reduced their punch. They keep their own identity and do not simply copy traditional or modern melodies from other Italian curvas.
On the pitch, it was a balanced and tactical match, with neither side willing to take too many risks or give anything away. The game was decided late on, when Bortolussi scored in the 84th minute, securing an important win that brings Padova closer to a calm finish to the Serie B season.
There is still work to be done. The stadium remains unfinished and requires further improvements. However, it is a clear first step in the right direction. Padova will continue to fight in Serie B, where they belong, with their big rivals Vicenza set to join them next season. Definitely the match that every football fan wants to see again.
