Five people were arrested after flares were lit during the celebrations.Credit:Joe Armao
“It’s a really dangerous activity,people can get severely burnt,” Mr Grainger said.
Luisa Nandaei and a group of friends arrived at Cafe Notturno about 3am to secure their seats and watch the game.
They jumped for joy when Italy claimed victory. “We wanted to get into all the emotions that were out there,” she said.
Friend Laura Rendina said:“Our hearts were in our throats. But when that last penalty kick was saved,it was amazing. We went ballistic.”
Rosa Mobilio (top right) and her extended family were among the hundreds of Italian soccer fans who turned out at Lygon Street.Credit:Joe Armano
Rosa Mobilio hired out Stovetop restaurant on Lygon Street to watch the game along with 48 family members.
Some of them had come from about four hours away,in Swan Hill,to join in the experience.
“This is the[children’s] first ever Euro cup final;they’ve had their first taste of Lygon Street,and I think they’ll be back,” Ms Mobilio said.
“The most important thing is,no school today.”
English soccer fan Ben Madden stood out among the crowd.Credit:Joe Armao
There were a couple of England fans on Lygon Street,despairing at the team’s loss.
Ben Madden,25,stood out in the sea of blue jerseys,wearing a red and white hat,and a red England shirt.
He intended to watch the game at the Imperial Hotel on Bourke Street but couldn’t get in,so he headed to the heartland of Italian supporters.
“Change of plan[at the last minute],but[we thought we’d] watch it on the big screen and have a bit of fun,” Mr Madden said.
Italian soccer fans celebrate on Lygon Street,Carlton.Credit:Joe Armao
“I haven’t seen anyone else. It’s a bit of a lonely crowd out there ... but it’s good.”
Victoria’s Deputy Premier James Merlino was asked about social distancing on Lygon Street after the Euro final had finished on Monday morning.
“Look,the public health advice is clear – in all circumstances,people need to maintain some physical distance,” he said.
“Of course,there are times when exuberance,human nature,means that that’s a bit more difficult to achieve.”
England fans at the Turf Sports Bar despair at their team’s loss.Credit:Joe Armano
England’s loss hit hard in other pubs in the CBD.
Crowds packed The Crafty Squire and Beer DeLuxe,and the 150-odd supporters at the Turf Sports Bar on Queen Street were jovial and hopeful as the game went into extra time.
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Beer and spirits were the drinks of choice at the sports bar,and manager Alex Smith said people had been queuing up since 3am. He said the phone hadn’t stopped ringing in recent days,with about 300 people still trying to book to watch the Euro final.
England supporters at the sports bar sang a new take of Atomic Kitten’sWhole Again – belting out:“You’re the one,you still turn me on,football’s coming home again”–and chanted “come on,England”,but hope turned to desperation during the penalty shootout.
A woman wearing an “it’s coming home” shirt was among dozens who put their heads in their hands as Italy’s goalkeeper saved two penalties and England missed another one.
Others screamed out in anger when the game was over.
One supporter immediately sculled the rest of his pint,swore,and stormed out of the sports bar,leaving others behind him to down the dregs of their drinks and take in the loss in silence.
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