The Curva Maratona is the traditional name given to the most passionate section of Torino supporters. The name originates from the presence of a piezometric tower known as "Torre Maratona" behind the stand in the Stadio Comunale di Torino. This 42-meter tower symbolized the spirit of competition and sacrifice of athletes and was located near the entrance for participants in the marathon event.
When the team moved from the Comunale to the Stadio delle Alpi, the Curva Maratona supporters and organized groups relocated to the "North" stand, particularly in the second tier, while retaining the name Curva Maratona.
From the 2006-2007 season, Torino returned to the renovated Stadio Comunale, renamed the Stadio Olimpico for the XX Winter Olympics. The most fervent supporters reclaimed their historic stand.
The Curva Maratona is the true heart of Torino's support, providing relentless backing for the team and expressing the sentiments of the fanbase. Over the decades, there have been numerous protests against various managements and players deemed to lack commitment to the club's colors.
During the 1998-1999 season, then-president Massimo Vidulich retired the number 12 jersey, symbolically assigning it to the Curva Maratona, recognizing it as the "twelfth man" on the field for Torino.
The more moderate Granata supporters tend to gather in the opposite stand, traditionally known as the "Curva Filadelfia" due to its proximity to the street of the same name. It was renamed "Curva Primavera" in the 2005-2006 season in honor of the youth teams and has retained this name after Torino's move to the Olimpico Grande Torino.
In 1997, the Curva Maratona was awarded by the French sports weekly Onze as the best organized supporters' group in Europe. This followed a mid-1980s survey by La Domenica Sportiva, which named the Maratona as the best stand in the league.
Curva Primavera
The Curva Primavera is the traditional name given to the south stand of the Stadio Comunale in Turin, in honor of Torino Football Club's youth teams. This section is occupied by the more moderate Granata supporters. Over the years, it has also been home to groups such as the Leoni della Maratona, gli Stendardi, le Girls, and Geneticamente Granata.
When the team moved from the Stadio Comunale to the Stadio delle Alpi, the Curva Primavera supporters and organized groups relocated to the south stand of the new stadium, which was used for Torino's home matches from 1990 to 2006. Starting from the 2006-2007 season, Torino returned to the renovated Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, which had been refurbished to host some events for the 2006 Winter Olympics. The Granata fans were able to reclaim this historic stand.
Since 2017, the Curva Primavera has been home to the Torino Hooligans (the last bastion of Torino supporters without police escort) and Incontri Casuali. Before that, the stand hosted groups such as Estranei Torino (born from the ashes of V Kolonna), along with Mods, Cedrata Group, and Filadelfia Supporters.
Here is a historical timeline of notable fan groups within the Torino Football Club:
1951: The Club Fedelissimi was founded, marking the birth of one of the earliest organized fan groups supporting Torino.
1969: The Ultras Granata were established, introducing a new era of passionate and dedicated support for the team.
1981: The Granata Korps was formed, further enhancing the vibrant and diverse fan culture surrounding Torino.
1985: The Viking group emerged, adding to the rich tapestry of Torino's loyal and fervent supporters.
Fan Friendships
- Fiorentina: There is a strong bond between the Torino and Fiorentina supporters, which began in the early 1970s. This friendship was forged due to Fiorentina's solidarity with Torino following the Superga tragedy.
- Genoa: A historical alliance, born in memory of Gigi Meroni. This friendship wavered when Genoa fans celebrated during the Torino-Genoa match on May 24, 2009, a game that significantly contributed to Torino's relegation to Serie B. However, on December 16, 2012, when the two clubs met for the firstc time after Torino's return to Serie A, the organized supporter groups reaffirmed their friendship, which continues to this day.
- Alessandria: Torino fans share an old friendship with the supporters of Alessandria's Gradinata Nord, who are also friends with Genoa fans.
- Ascoli: There is still a strong connection between the Granata Korps and a significant portion of Ascoli's curva, primarily due to political reasons.
Juventus: This is by far the most intense rivalry for Torino's supporters. The two teams contest the famous Derby della Mole, one of the most well-known city derbies in Italian football. As of December 5, 2020, there have been 242 derbies (201 official matches) between Torino and Juventus. Juventus leads with 89 wins to Torino's 56, with 56 draws. Juventus has scored 300 goals compared to Torino's 239. The first Turin derby was played in 1907, ending in a 2-1 victory for Torino.
Sampdoria: This deep-seated animosity originated in the early days of organized support and is exacerbated by the long-standing friendship between Torino and Genoa.
Atalanta: Another historic rivalry known for its violent clashes. Recently, the two supporter groups united in memory of Emiliano Mondonico. Despite the traditional antagonism, there is considerable respect between the two factions.
Other notable rivalries include:
Bologna: The conflicts between Bologna and Torino date back to the 1970s.
Inter: A long-standing and intense enmity.
Lazio: Similar to Hellas Verona, this rivalry began with the dissolution of a former friendship, also influenced by political reasons.
Milan: This rivalry is less intense than with Inter, but still significant. There was once a friendship between the two supporter groups, which ended long ago.
Roma: Hostilities with Roma intensified due to the friendship between Torino and Lazio.
Verona: Torino and Hellas Verona had a strong friendship that abruptly ended in 1988 after ten years, making the supporters rivals ever since, partly due to political reasons. However, both still maintain a friendship with Fiorentina.