Diehard Finnish Giallorossi fan Juha Ahtinen: “There’s only one Roma”

What’s less known is that upon retiring a few months ago the 63-year-old chose to move to Rome.

Juha is an ever-present at Roma games. He never misses matches at the Olimpico or Tre Fontane, where he unfurls his Roma Club Finland banner, as president of the club, in support of the women's team, declaring “There’s only one Roma”.

We interviewed the Finnish superfan on his experiences as a Romanista:

Given that you hail from Finland, how did your love for Roma come about?

“It’s said that you’re born a Romanista – you don’t become one. But it’s also said that the exception proves the rule. In this case it’s me who’s the exception.

“There were three stages of me becoming a Roma fan. I’ll explain the first. Although ice hockey has always been Finland's national sport, I was born and raised in a family where football played an important role. I always watched the World Cup on TV with my dad and my friends. In 1974 it was held in West Germany, when I was 11 years old. My dad said that, whenever Finland weren’t involved, each of us had to choose another national team. I went for Italy. I can't explain why, but I've been a fan of Italian football for more than 50 years now.

“On to the second stage: I visited Rome for the first time in 1984 as part of an Interrail trip. I was immediately enamoured with the place. The day after arriving I told my travel companion, Petri, that I’d experienced a strange feeling: I felt like I’d come home. I loved everything about Rome: the history, the atmosphere, the language, the people and the food. It was very much love at first sight. After two days we had to move on. On the train heading south, I told Petri that one day I would move to Rome.

“Then came the third stage: in the 1990s I was closely following the career of Jari Litmanen, the best Finnish footballer of all time. He was playing for Ajax and many big clubs were interested in signing him, including Roma. A statement made by Franco Sensi during the Trofeo Citta di Roma - “Francesco Totti is better than Litmanen” – piqued my interest. I started to follow this talented youngster and in turn AS Roma. I have to give our great captain credit in me becoming a Romanista.”

What was the first game that made you say, “I’m truly in love with this club”?

“The end of the 90s was intense: my son Juuso was born in 1995 and my daughter Maria came in 1997, and I was also building my career. I didn't have many opportunities to travel. My first match at the Olimpico came in the early 2000s, Roma 3-0 Reggina. Totti got on the scoresheet that day with a great goal. The atmosphere was deafening. It gave me goosebumps. It left a strong impression on me and fired up the desire in me to return. Since then I’ve never stopped. In fact, my visits grew more frequent as the years went by.”

Have you kept track of how many trips you’ve made to follow Roma?

“So far I’ve caught more than 500 Roma games live. I also follow Roma Femminile and Primavera Femminile. Until the end of 2022, all of the games were away games for me, except HJK v Roma which was played in Helsinki. I’ve watched Roma in 26 different countries, including Australia, Japan, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

“At the beginning of the 2000s I was able to see five or six games a season. That number then grew to about ten, and in the years before the pandemic it reached 20 to 25 games. After Covid I started working remotely, which changed my life. I was able to follow all of the matches at the stadium: home and away games, in Italy and Europe, friendlies and summer camps. From August 2021 to December 2025 I racked up 310 live games. Every year I travelled for 150 to 170 days. Just since the end of the pandemic, I’ve travelled 900,000 kilometres by plane, the equivalent to 22 times around the world.

“My slogan is, “When Roma comes, you heed its call”. I’m often asked how much money I’ve thrown away. My answer is always the following: passion is priceless. That’s all there is to it.”

You made a bold choice in moving to Rome. When did you realise that the city would no longer be just a “second home”?

“After my first day in the city in 1984, when I felt truly at home. I’m sure that in my previous life I was Roman. Rome is the most beautiful city in the world. 42 years down the line my dream has come true. Now home games are really home games for me too. It's wonderful to go to the Olimpico without having to take a flight.”

What neighbourhood do you live in?

“I live in the heart of the city and in the heart of Romanismo: Testaccio, a few steps from the legendary Campo Testaccio and the historic Roma Club Testaccio. Everyone welcomed me very well. I feel at home.”

You don't miss Roma Women’s matches either. When did this bond start?

“I started seriously following Roma Femminile in 2018, following AS Roma’s acquisition of the club. I go to every game, except when the men's team play at the same time. I also travel around Italy and Europe.

“It was great to see the growth of women's football. Italy is still lagging behind England, Spain and Germany, but development here has been rapid. Football is for everyone. I’m delighted that Roma Femminile is attracting more and more fans.”

You said earlier that “There’s only one Roma”. What does this mean for you?

“Roma unites us. All of the club’s games are important. What’s important is to be there and support our club. It’s not a matter of whether the men or the women are playing – there’s only one Roma.”

How important are the fans at Tre Fontane?

“At the Olimpico we have the Curva Sud, the most amazing stand in the world. At Tre Fontane there’s the Roma Women Fan Club, and thanks to them the atmosphere is always great.

“I’ve been to many away games and I can say that our fans are on a different level to other clubs. Our fans’ support really makes the difference. Playing at home with their backing is special for our girls.”

If you had to explain what Roma is to people who don't know the club, what would you say?

“You can’t explain Roma. Well, I can give it a go. Roma is a big family. All Roma fans in the world are like my brothers and sisters. We support the shirt, the history, the colours and the city. It’s a pact of unconditional love. It’s a romantic bond. You have to know how to suffer. Totti is Roma. His loyalty is worth more than any trophy. 

“The love for Roma changed my life. The club gave me a new family, loyal friends and led me to living here. I’m always proud to say that I’m a Roma fan. Forza Roma, today and forever.”