Scotland fan Giovanni Piacentini-Smith has captured the hearts of Bostonians during the World Cup. Through his positive energy and a unique community event involving Scotland's national drink, Irn-Bru, he has fostered a spirit of joy and resilience within the city, eventually earning a world record declaration from the Governor and tickets to the match.
The Tartan Army certainly has made its, you know, case known, made itself known in Boston as sort of its home base during the World Cup.
Yeah, some even making a name for themselves as they were exploring the city.
Boston 25 News reporter Ryan Breslin spoke to one you'll likely recognize if you happen to open Instagram, even TikTok.
And Ryan, he had a plan to break a world record.
Nicole and Gene, that's right.
We have met some people during this World Cup with big personalities, some making Boston a better place.
Now, one Scotland fan that I spoke to, he's made a name for himself and even made fans of his own.
This is Giovanni Piacentini-Smith, the Scotland native gaining the attention of people of all ages in Boston.
It's insane. It means a lot.
I think this could be a yearly thing.
Since arriving for the World Cup. God bless America.
He's been documenting his days.
Welcome to day one in Boston. Day two in Boston. Welcome to day three in Boston.
It's game day, baby. Day four in Boston.
Every morning, we've just kind of been getting up, heading into Boston, finding out where the madness is.
But in reality, we've just kind of been taking everything as it goes.
Even meeting Governor Maura Healey. Wednesday,
Gio had an idea to gather people on Boston Common for the unofficial world's largest American tasting of Iron Brew.
Iron Brew is Scotland's national drink. It's a soft drink.
If you'd ask me how it tastes, I couldn't tell you. That's the whole point.
That's why I wanted to get everyone here. It's got a very unique taste.
The best way to describe it, Iron Brew is Iron Brew.
Bostonians didn't disappoint. One being Joshua Jagerzeski.
I really appreciate what Giovanni's been doing this week.
You know, he's really brought some love back to the people.
He's shown us what the good parts of our city, what the good parts of our country are.
Jagerzeski giving Gio his pin from the 2014 Boston Marathon, telling him about the race the year after the bombing.
The year Meb Kifleski won, you know, first American in decades to wear the laurel wreath.
And it just, it was, again, bringing everyone back together, showing us, you know, the joy and the love and the resilience.
And Giovanni is really that. You know, he has brought that for Boston this week.
You are officially declared by me, the governor, as having broken the world record for the most number of people drinking Iron Brew at one time.
As Gio captures the hearts of the city, he's finding joy making people smile and laugh, even when times can feel heavy.
I think people are eager for happiness and positivity, and that's my platform. I just try and bring people together.
Go, Scotland, go far! Go, Scotland, go far!
Now Gio is going to the match today. He says that he originally did not have tickets,
but after his Iron Brew tasting, the soft drink company reached out and they gave him a pair.
Gina, Nicole?
