Roberto Mancini believes that Italy proved their doubters wrong by reaching the UEFA Euro 2020 final, but said that they had to suffer to reach their first major tournament final in nine years.
The Azzurri drew 1-1 with Spain at Wembley, but were dominated in terms of possession, having just 35 percent of the ball — and shots, with seven to their opponents’ 16 — before triumphing 4-2 on penalties.
“There are games where you have to suffer. They can’t all be as smooth as our progress so far. We knew it would be a tough game,” Mancini told a news conference. “That is why the players and everyone who worked with us over the last three years deserve great credit, because it wasn’t easy. Almost no one believed we could do it, and yet we are into the final.”
Photo: AFP
“We are pleased for Italians everywhere who have been following us for the last few weeks,” Mancini added.
Italy face Denmark or England in the final on Sunday, as they bid to win their first European Championship since 1968. It is to be their first appearance in a final since a 4-0 defeat to Spain at Euro 2012.
However, the Azzurri were often on the back foot against a talented and young Spain who starved them of the ball, and Mancini was eager to underline the scale of his side’s achievement.
“We are delighted to have provided this wonderful evening’s entertainment to the Italian people. We still have one game to go,” Mancini said. “We knew it was going to be a very tough match, because in terms of ball possession, Spain are the best around. They caused us problems — we had to dig in when we needed to. We had to score and create opportunities where we could.”
“There were some issues because we did not have much possession, but we wanted to reach the final and kept trying until the end,” he said. “Penalties are a lottery, but I want to take my hat off to Spain — they are a wonderful team.”
Winger Federico Chiesa was named the UEFA Star of the Match after scoring a superb curling opener, and the 23-year-old was asked if it was the highlight of his career.
“Without a doubt,” he said. “Playing for my country in matches like these — representing 60 million Italians — was an unbelievable dream that I never imagined.”
Asked for his thoughts on Italy’s potential final opponents, he said: “Denmark play with a lot of intensity and throughout this tournament they have proven what a top side they are — they have some quality players.”
“As for England, they have shown that their individual players can be match winners. They have some top players in the final third and all across the pitch,” Chiesa said.
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized on Friday after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite sustaining the serious injury. It follows the death of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival last month — including one after the prestigious Gold Cup. Gold Dancer was competing in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase during Ladies Day at Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The horse managed to cross the finish line approximately four lengths ahead of runner-up Regent’s Stroll. “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
This year’s Taiwan Athletics Open, which offers Taiwanese athletes an opportunity to compete against their international peers, would be held under a new name after its organizers had earlier announced the event’s cancelation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association said the competition would still take place on June 6-7 at Banciao Stadium, but under the name “New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026.” The event was given a new name to emphasize its local identity and conform with the international practice of naming World Athletics Tour events after cities, the association said. It said it would soon
RSS