Campioni! Grazie, Mancini, Grazie Ragazzi!!
Redemption for many, the most of them: the serial bottlers, the finals losers, the never good enough, the mid-club perennials, the many unknown from our beloved (and so often derided) farmers league.
All is forgiven now: this instalment of so-so, good, plus a few very good players have put their name on an international trophy with the National Team. Fantastico!
I feel sorry for a number of England players, especially the younger ones who did not convert their penalties. Southgate is getting many many things right and the path is ascending, but the ultimate responsibility on the pitch, when the stakes are the highest, should maybe lie upon the most experienced and the most accustomed players?
I also want to offer my commiserations to the vast number of England fans on here that treated us respectfully. It has been an entertaining and tiring month of football, and a manic Sunday for Italy in a number of sports. I am left to clean the litter from the beach of the small sea-village we were allowed to occupy for the game. It was a modest party all day long and until half an hour ago, I can assure you.
Ciao e Forza Italia, it’s coming Rome!