Team spirit:Italy have been a remarkable collective in Euro 2020.Credit:AP
The country is on a path towards recovery butgoliardiais still reflected in what most Italians hold dear:their national football team.
After the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup,Italy is now on the cusp of winning the European championships. They face England in the final of Euro 2020 on Monday morning – the last step of a magnificent run that has provided so much optimism to the Italian community following the country’s darkest year since WWII.
Italy’s Federico Chiesa celebrates scoring his side’s opener in the Euro 2020 semi-final against Spain.Credit:AP
“With everything the country has gone through,the world has gone through,you do feel that connection again and it’s a connection fuelled by the passion of the sport,” said Italian-born executive producer of Radio National Breakfast,Marina Freri.
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However,it’s not just the timing of Italy’s march to the Euro final that has sparked so much joy for the Italian community but the character of the team. An old stereotype of defensive,tactical football has been replaced with a free-flowing attacking game that has delivered a 33-game unbeaten run.
A nation synonymous with big-name players of yesteryear is now almost void of superstars. In their place is a youthful but talented team with an endearing sense of unity. Every goal is celebrated together. Every victory is met with hours of singing on the team bus and plane.