It’s close now, that European Championship gold that the Italians see shimmering hauntingly within reach, just two matches away. I am used to living and working in this country where the thermometer shows a constant football fever. But now it is simmering in the race with the oppressive heat over the country.
“Favolosa Italia” is one of the headlines tonight after the 2-1 victory against very strong Belgium. And of course it’s like a fairy tale, a favola, the European Championship summer the Italians are now enjoying with hard beating hearts.
From the same balconies that they sang on to harden out and keep their spirits up during the lockdown, people are now screaming out their joy. In the people’s square Piazza del Popolo in Rome, the azure supporters sang last night. At the big screens at Arena Est Milano, the celebrations knew no bounds and along the promenade in Naples, the cars drove honking with flag-waving fans hanging out the windows.
I will never forget these desolate, quiet, empty squares and streets, only patrolled by police and military, when it was at its worst during the pandemic. All of us who have lived through that time understand the senseless happiness and desire to be happy, to live, dance, jump, sing, which now unites an entire country.
He is everywhere, tireless
Joy and celebration from coast to coast, from the Alps to the south, all united by the sweetness of victory and the belief in this team and in the national team captain Roberto Mancini.
Against Austria in the round of 16, Italy suffered. So also against Belgium but the game worked better, they came forward more, dared, bet, played. While the defense was delightfully effective and the gods should know that it was needed against the giant Lukaku, the elusive De Bruyne and the vitamin injection Doku.
It was still Italy who took the lead in a match that was intense from kick-off to the final signal, which offered entertainment and excitement, full currency to all of us who benched us. Barella stepped forward very skillfully to 1-0 and Insigne filled in as nicely as only he can to 2-0.
There, Italy should have been able to go out to half-time rest in good peace, but Di Lorenzo had a hard time connecting grips on Doku and it led to a penalty. A cheap one but doomed is doomed, it was 2-1 and the match was alive.
Italy still did not stop attacking, not until towards the end. Spinazzola is a dream fullback, he is everywhere, tireless, unstoppable. One moment close to scoring, the next moment the one stopping Lukaku at the last moment.
His tears hurt
That he had to go out injured is bad for Italy, the newspapers write that the European Championships are over for Spinazzola and his tears when he was carried out on the stretcher hurt. He deserved better and that is a big break for Italy.
However, the friendly tough giant Chiellini remained and held out and persevered and Donnarumma was huge as the last outpost.
Most of all, however, this is a team victory, Italy has its stars, but the real strength is the team and the very high minimum level even on the last man on the bench. So much quality paired with a huge willingness to sacrifice and team spirit.
Now Spain is waiting and the national team captain Roberto Mancini was the one who celebrated at least last night. He has only one thing in sight: the European Championship dent. When it’s salvaged, only then, we get to see him dance.
But for us ordinary people, for the people in the streets and squares, every chance is taken to celebrate after the painful time that has passed. Tonight and all nights.
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