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SUNDAY, JULY 11, 2021 England and count down to Euro 2020 final

LONDON: A combination of file pictures shows Italy’s players (left) in Rome on June 11, 2021 and England’s players in Rome on July 3, 2021. — AFP

LONDON: England and Italy are count- second-round match against Germany major tournament, although meetings defender Leonardo Bonucci said. “We finals, losing to France in 2000 and to ing down to tonight’s Euro 2020 final, and the semi-final against Denmark. between the nations have been few and are looking forward to taking to the field Spain in 2012. Sunday’s game will be with Gareth Southgate’s men seeking to “We’ve all waited so long as players, as far between. even though most of the fans present will their 10th major tournament final. end a 55-year trophy drought but the public, as people to see us in a final,” Italy triumphed in a penalty shoot-out be English. We want to do something Mancini has been praised for the job aiming to spoil the Wembley par- said Kane. “So these are the opportuni- in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 in historic, have a great performance and he has done since taking over in 2018 in ty. Sporting immortality beckons for ties you have to grab with both hands. Ukraine and won 2-1 when they met in then we’ll see how it ends.” the aftermath of Italy’s failure to qualify England captain Harry Kane and his “We have an amazing chance to win the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, Italy had the backing of around for the World Cup in Russia. “Beyond the team-mates, who are desperate to etch our second major trophy as a country. although both sides ended up being 11,000 British-based fans at the semi- players, I’d say that everything comes their names in the record books by win- The players we’ve had over the years eliminated in the first round. final and their supporters will once again from Mancini who knows how to make ning just the second major trophy in the and produced, we feel proud to be rep- Both teams have been transformed be there for the final. Reports in Italy the right choices,” Italy legend Dino Zoff nation’s history. resenting them as well. We’ve got to be since then. The Azzurri have lit up Euro said that 6,500 tickets had been sold to told AFP. “For me, it’s not a surprise to Wembley, which was also the venue excited for it, we’ve got to enjoy it, but of 2020 ever since beating Turkey 3-0 in fans already in Britain and that number see Italy in the final. I was convinced for England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, course, any football match, we’re all win- the opening game a month ago. They are would be bolstered by 1,000 more who they’d do well.” will host around 65,000 fans for the ners here, we all want to win, and we’re on a national record 33-match unbeaten will fly into the country for the game, Away from the build-up to the final, game despite coronavirus restrictions going to need every bit of that to get the run under coach , who including President Sergio Mattarella. European football’s governing body still in place. England began the tourna- job done on Sunday.” has spent time in England both as a play- UEFA has fined the English Football ment as one of several contenders to lift er and as a manager. Azzurri wait Association 30,000 euros ($35,500) the trophy and have taken advantage of Italy redemption This will be their third game of the The Azzurri are looking to end a long after a laser pointer was shone at playing all but one of their matches at Standing in England’s way are a bat- tournament at Wembley, where they beat wait to win the European Championship. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel home. tle-hardened Italy side who have Austria 2-1 in extra time in the last 16 The four-time World Cup winners have on Wednesday. The punishment also Southgate’s men will be willed on by restored the nation’s pride after failing and Spain on penalties in a gripping been continental champions only once, takes into account disturbances during the vast majority of a crowd that created even to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. semi-final on Tuesday. “Playing at their when it was just a four-team event in the national anthems at Wembley and the a crackling atmosphere for England’s England have never beaten Italy at a home does not scare us,” Italy’s veteran 1968. Since then they have reached two lighting of fireworks. -— AFP