England may be dreaming of football coming home – but from Glasgow to Glamorgan, Bedford to London, there will be jubilant celebrations if Italy manage to shatter the Three Lions’ dream at Wembley.
There are as many as 600,000 Italians living in the UK, according to figures from the Italian Embassy.
That figure increases when you consider the first and second generation British Italians whose parents and grandparents moved here after the Second World War.
One of those hoping the Azzurri prevail over Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions at Wembley is Anna Galli, who moved to the UK six years ago to work in London.
The AC Milan fan, who sat behind the goal when the Italians won on penalties against Spain on Tuesday, told i she and her fellow expats plan to be “loud and proud” as the game gets underway.
She said: “I was raised in a huge football household and the whole tournament has been wonderful.
“When we’re all together, it feels like we’re home. I feel even more patriotic here because we’ve been through a time where we can’t go home.”
“There are a lot of Italians here in London and the vibe has been passionate, of course. We’re all incredibly happy to support our team together and be Italian and be loud.
For Nicoletta Sborbone, who comes from Naples, the excitement of Sunday’s final is also building, although her English boyfriend has made plans more difficult.
The TV researcher said: “I’m a big football fan, like every Italian – it’s a huge cultural and family thing.
“We’ve been watching the games and until now my English boyfriend has been supporting Italy with us, but he might have to leave the group and be with his friends in the pub on Sunday.
“We’ve been having pizza from Pellone as there’s a branch in Naples and it’s the best. I’ll also be wearing green, because it’s the colour I’ve been wearing for every game, so it must continue.
“I might also make a parmigiana and a chocolate salami. And we’ll have beers. I think we’ll win 2-1.”
Giodana Mottola is less optimistic – he still thinks the Azzurri will triumph but said he wouldn’t be surprised if the game goes to penalties.
The Roman, who has been studying in the UK for five years, said: “We went to Wembley for the round of 16 and for the semi-final, and I’ve been trying to get tickets for Sunday.
From Glasgow to Glamorgan, Bedford to London, there will be celebrations abound if Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final on Sunday.
“If not, I’ll make pizza, as mine is the best, and we’ll watch it at home with friends, probably with some Moretti or Peroni.
“The Euros have been very special – not being able to go home for so long has been sad. I love living here, but we’ve missed home. Hearing the national anthem at Wembley was like being in Italy.
“But it’s the final, and England have done well, so maybe it’s a 50-50 match. I’m also very Italian in my ‘scaramanzia’ – a superstitious action taken to ward off evil – so I don’t want to say too much.”
“We put a lot of pressure on our players, just like fans in England. There’s an expectancy. Perhaps we’ll win on penalties.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3k1Is7e
Post a Comment