Five months.
That's how long it had been since Virtus Lombardia shocked Mantova Calcio in what the media called The Clash at the Summit.
Since then, Virtus had risen like wildfire — defeating team after team, grinding out narrow wins, and building belief that began as a whisper but now roared across the country.
And now, after thirty-seven matches, they stood one game away from history.
One final showdown. One more ninety minutes to decide everything.
The league championship. Promotion to Serie C. Immortality in Lombardia's football story.
---
Training had ended early that Friday afternoon. The sky above the training ground burned with the soft gold of spring sunlight, and the mood among the players was oddly calm — the quiet before the storm.
Coach Rossi stood in the center circle, whistle around his neck, eyes glinting.
"Listen up," he said. "We've come too far to back down now. Mantova want revenge. They're calling this 'Redemption Sunday.' Let them. We don't play for revenge — we play for belief."
He turned to Jaeven, who was juggling the ball absentmindedly with his left foot.
"Han. You know what this match means."
Jaeven looked up, eyes steady. "Yeah. Everything."
Rossi smiled faintly. "Then show them."
---
Media Storm
The Italian media went berserk.
La Gazzetta dello Sport:
> "The Final Battle: Mantova vs Virtus — Champions to be Decided."
Tuttosport:
> "Han vs Ferri II — The Rematch of the Season."
Football Italia:
> "A Miracle Run or a Fairytale Ending? Serie D's Finest Prepare for War."
Even foreign football blogs picked it up. Clips of Jaeven's Elastico goal from their first meeting hit ten million views in two days.
Children across Lombardia tried to copy his move on dusty streets, shouting,
> "I'm Han! I'm Han!"
And now, every camera, every spotlight, every commentator was waiting for the sequel.
---
In the locker room that evening, Jaeven scrolled through social media. His name was everywhere. #HanEffect trended again.
He locked his phone and stared at his reflection in the mirror.
"Final match," he murmured. "Let's make it count."
The reflection didn't smile. It just nodded back.
