Europe

The Azzurri Return To Rome As Conquering Heroes

ROME - After 18 months of pandemic hell, Italy reveled in some soccer heaven on Monday after its national team brought back the European Championship trophy for the first time since 1968 following victory over England at Wembley.

Led by coach Roberto Mancini, the players landed shortly after dawn to find many fans were still celebrating in the early morning cool, with the smell of fireworks lingering in the streets and flags flapping out of car windows.

England Literally Lost To A Guy With Tattoos Of The Characters From The Movie Madagascar

Mention the phrase "Italian center back" and the first thought that will come to the minds of most football fans is the indomitable pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

The veteran duo just led Italy to its first European Championship since 1968 and provided a masterclass in defending against some of the continent's best attacking talents. 

But in recent days, another Italian center back has been drawing his share of attention on the internet, but not for his performances on the pitch.

Italy’s Old Guard Deserves The Praise, But This Team’s Success Was No One-Off

LONDON - The old guard, once again, came good for Italy, this time steering the Azzurri to Euro 2020 glory, but wily defensive stalwarts Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini cannot go on forever.

One experienced defensive head is guaranteed to remain, however, to guide an exciting Italy team into the future, despite still being a boy himself. The unflappable Gianluigi Donnarumma is almost certainly going to go on to break all kinds of appearance records at club and international level.

Roy Keane Slams England’s Veterans For Letting Bukayo Saka Take Fifth Penalty

Roy Keane said England teenager Bukayo Saka should not have been given the task of taking their crucial fifth penalty in Sunday's shootout defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Saka, 19, had to score to send the shootout to sudden death but his kick was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper had also saved from Jadon Sancho after Marcus Rashford had hit the post.

England’s Black Players Face Racial Abuse After Missing Final Penalty Kicks

LONDON - Black players in the England soccer team have been subjected to a storm of online racist abuse after their defeat in the final of Euro 2020, drawing wide condemnation from the squad's manager Gareth Southgate along with royalty and politicians.

Marcus Rashford, 23, Jadon Sancho, 21, and Bukayo Saka, 19, were the targets of the abuse after they missed spot-kicks in a penalty shootout with Italy which settled Sunday's final after the game finished as a 1-1 draw.

It’s Coming Undone! England Collapses In Penalty Shootout To Commanding Italy

Surrounded by a reported 200,000 raucous fans in the Wembley area (and far more than the stated 60,000 inside the ground), Italy played spoiler in the Euro 2020 final at a level unseen since the Spartans pushed back the Persians at the Hot Gates.

It's Coming To Rome: Con Un Gigi Donnarumma Enorme, Italia Gana La Euro 2020

"Inglaterra realmente juega un fútbol increíblemente asustado. Si eso es lo que hacen con el plantel que tienen, creo que es miserable". La frase la dijo el ex-futbolista neerlandés, Pierre van Hooijdonk, en la previa de la final de la Euro entre los Tres Leones e Italia y ahora vuelven a resonar, luego de que los ingleses comenzaran ganando la definición, pero terminarán con el corazón roto al caer en los penales ante la Azzurra.

England Scores Fastest Goal In European Championship Final History

The consensus among many was that Gareth Southgate had been too cautious with his starting lineup against Italy on Sunday in the Euro 2020 final. The England manager made one change from the semifinal, bringing in Kieran Trippier and adopting a back-five while winger Bukayo Saka dropped to the bench.

Steve McManaman called it a mistake on ESPN during the pregame show. It took all of one minute and 57 seconds to see that McManaman had been mistaken.

55 Years After Presenting England With Its Only Trophy, Queen Elizabeth Wishes Team Good Luck

LONDON — Britain's Queen Elizabeth has sent a message to the England soccer manager to wish the team luck ahead of the country's most anticipated game since the 1966 World Cup final.

England are due to play Italy on Sunday in the Euro 2020 final at London's Wembley Stadium, prompting excitement across the country, with beer sales soaring and special permission for children to start school late on Monday.

UEFA Hits Hungary With Punishment For Discriminatory Fan Behavior During Euro 2020

Hungary has been ordered to play its next two games behind closed doors after it was sanctioned for discriminatory behavior by fans during European Championship matches in Budapest, European soccer's governing body UEFA said on Friday.

The incidents occurred during Hungary's group-stage matches against Portugal, France and Germany, all hosted at the Puskás Arena.

Pages