In itself, the film’s opening "football ballet” scene suggests that its creator doesn’t take his national sport all that seriously, a fact confirmed by his story of the battle between two regional teams trying to make it to the top of the third league. Atletico Pabarile, the worst of the teams, unexpectedly acquires the necessary reinforcement in the form of experienced footballer Matutzi, who arrives back in his village after a stint playing abroad. The film also develops the parallel story of ambitious referee Cruciani and the machinations which cost him his career. And since this is Sardinia, the plot also focuses on the pastoral origins of the players and the centuries of tradition involving family feuds and revenge. In 2009 Paolo Zucca received the David di Donatello and other awards for his short film of the same name; unsurprisingly, he decided to turn his successful tale into a feature film. His quirky humour doesn’t stop at ridiculing sacred sports rituals, it also takes aim at the primitivism of antiquated customs and flawed human qualities. The black-and-white photography lends this satirical comedy the nostalgia of old newsreels.