AS Roma XI 3, Union Street 4 (Agg)

The weekend of Oct 3-6 will go down as another watershed moment in the history of the mighty Union Street FC and indeed the RT Harris Oxford City FC. For it was then that the Street boys took their message of fraternity, gentlemanly behaviour, and the importance of 'character' to the people of Rome. Our profound thanks to our Italian connections, Mr Murphy and Ms Bergamini, for their superb hospitalility. Not only did they put up (with) 12 sweaty men from Oxford in their flat, but they treated us to the choicest of eateries, bars, wineries, music festivals, football shops, gelaterias, piazzas, friends, Romans and countrymen. For many of the boys, this was of course their first time out of the county without their parents, and they are forever in your debt as their surrogate Italian 'mama' and 'papa'. Grazie. We will all have our special memories, but among the 'Prosecco Moments' from a fun-packed three days must be included: - the sight of Mark 'Indy' Ginsburg doffing his hat to the crowds below from atop the roof of a piazza hotel - Stuart 'Six Million Dollar' Mozley chasing after a nightbus at 3 in the morning with the rest of the team, and many natives, happily ensconced inside - Craig 'The Crack' Bartlett attempting to fix the flat's drains later that same evening, with only his bare hands and intuitive 'plumber magic' at his disposal - The torrential thunderstorm that followed Street's first win in Europe: surely a sign from the old gods of their approval - The Roma Trattoria method of serving drink (put the bottle on the table and leave it till it's drunk). A challenge for any Streeter. Special shout to the makers of Limoncello and the Mirto. An unforgettable introduction to European football. Arrivederci Roma