The pioneer of futsal journalism: I could list a thousand points that could be a turning point for futsal!

In roughly three months since FutsalFeed opened its virtual gates to you, our dear readers, we had a pleasure to publish interesting interviews with many national team managers (France, Morocco, USA, Moldova, Turkmenistan, China to name a few…), futsal coaches, futsal influencers and many more people that shape the modern game. Today, we had a unique opportunity to talk with one of the pioneers of futsal journalism, although he insists that after all these years he remains simply a futsal addict!

Luca Ranocchiari is an Italian futsal fanatic who has already been collaborating with many futsal websites from Europe, South America and Asia before the mid-90s when he settled with FutsalPlanet.com, but has continued to help grow awareness for futsal with every chance he got. He is one of the people responsible for delivering futsal news and results from across the world before the time when the information was travelling with such ease. It was only proper to do an interview with such persona and discuss many topics of futsal interest, as his input is very valuable in today’s fast-moving world.

Today, most of the information is located just a few clicks or taps away. However, twenty or more years ago it was not as easy as that. So to start our interview, we were wondering if Luca could tell us something about the very beginnings of futsal journalism. “Oh, gosh! Usually, I really struggle to give an interview as I honestly and firmly believe that journalists, or just humble futsal addicts which is how I consider myself, should not be under the spotlights which are destined to players, coaches and managers of the game. I don’t really care about being influential or recognized. On the opposite I really feel more comfortable while I stay “in the shadows”, but I’ve always tried to support the game in every way.

Also, I really hope we can be a whole community rather than circles, that would help! I just remember Mićo (Mićo Martić, author’s comment) and his “hot” fax line and me getting crazy to get scores or information. We both were in love with futsal since at least the end of the 80s but FutsalPlanet.com came later in 1997 thanks to Mićo’s crazy but endless enthusiasm. It was very hard to succeed, but we had a huge passion by our side helping us every day. In the end, many people joined us, just because they shared the same love for this unbelievable game. There were few websites, and media in general, covering futsal and its international stage. If I look back I see that period as an unforgettable one, it’s so good to see some of the people who met at that time and are still here fighting for it.”

Times did change a lot since then, but enthusiasm about the sport itself remains alive and kicking in today’s ‘new futsal generations’.

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