It's easy to bring a smile to Roberto Giannini's face - just mention the World Cup or Wabash soccer.
Giannini is not only an Italian native, but he has also worked with numerous programs in that country as a player and coach. So watching Team Azzurri's climb to the 2006 World Cup championship made for an unbelievable summer.
"On a scale of one to ten, it's not quite a ten," Giannini said. "The 1982 victory by the Italians was the first in my lifetime, so it will always be the biggest. No other win will ever be close. But this has been one of the top-five summers of my life.
"No one expected it. All the experts were looking at Brazil and Germany. But here comes little Italy. A lot of my friends called as soon as Italy won. I heard from friends and family back in Italy. It gave me chance to feel like I was part of the celebration. I felt part of the one million fans in Rome who were waiting to see the team on their way back from the championship. It will always be special."
Giannini fell in love with the sport while playing as a child in Bologna, Italy. After playing for youth and professional teams in Italy, he turned to coaching. Giannini has served as a youth program scout in Italy and as the AC Milan US Midwest Regional Director.
Now he hopes to transfer that love to his Wabash players this year.
"Watching the World Cup, Americans get a feel for what soccer means to the rest of the world," Giannini said. It's a huge deal for a nation ingrained in soccer.
"That's the kind of passion I hope to see from my Wabash players this fall. I was fortunate to be able to work with them during the non-traditional spring season for a few weeks. It was a positive experience overall. Many of the players impressed me with their individual ability. They were also very respectful of the experience I bring to the program. They've allowed me to teach by being excellent learners. I believe everyone is 100 percent behind the new course we're setting."
Giannini's desire for his first season at Wabash is to field a winning team. But he's looking at more than just the scoreboard.
"We're building a program. Of course we would like to go out and win every match. But just as important is going out every time with conviction and determination and belief that we can win.
"Sometimes the results go a different way. The bounce of the ball, a great play by your opponent --- these are all things that can affect the final score. But if you step onto the field and believe you can compete and that you can defeat your opponent, you will be ready to play hard."
With all that in mind, what does Giannini expect his team to show Wabash fans September 2 when the Little Giants open the 2006 season against Alma College at 11 a.m. at home?
"I think fans will be entertained by the level of intensity and the determination shown by our players on the field. I think it will be fun to watch Wabash compete in every match."
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Jeff Oleck and Aaron Blessing join Giannini's coaching staff this fall. Oleck was a player under Giannini at Valparaiso University. He set the school record for shutouts with 14 over his career as a four-year starter. He also holds the second-best goals-against average in school history with a mark of 1.72 in 2005.
Blessing is in his first season at Wabash after two years as the head women's soccer coach at the University of Indianapolis. He served three seasons as the head girls coach at Chatard High School and has been involved in the Indiana Olympic Development Program since 2001.
Photos - (Main Sports Page) Giannini explains a training drill to senior Carlos Guevara and freshman Drew Kapsalis.
Top left - Giannini watches the Little Giants during their opening practice Saturday afternoon.
Bottom right - Junior Matt Potasnik works on his footwork as part of Saturday's practice.