Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1391768
2 Road to Wembley Six games played and four rounds successfully nav- igated, either Italy will get their hands on the trophy for the second time, or England are to lift a major title for the first time since 1966 Italy started in Group A with a 3-0 win over Turkey, tout- ed the competition's dark horse, despite finishing last in their group. The Italians beat Switzerland and Wales 3-0 and 1-0 respectively. The English started with a 1-0 win over Croatia, the team which kicked them out of the World Cup semi-fi- nals in Russia. They drew against fierce rivals Scotland, winning their last group match against the Czechia one goal to nil. Italy's second round game had to go to extra time, af- ter the Austrians held them to a draw, before Federico Chiesa opened the score in the 95th minute. Matteo Pessina doubled in the 105th minute; a Kalajdzic goal in the 114th minute wasn't enough for Austria to come- back. In the quarter-final, the Azzuri had to dig deep to win against top-ranked Belgium with a collective effort from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, veteran cen- tre-backs Bonucci and Chiellini, to conductor Jorginho and goalscorers Barella and Insigne. England faced their ultimate bogey team, Germany, in the second round, with English fans left at the edge of their seat up until the last 15 minutes, when Raheem Sterling opened the score line. After failing to score in their previous matches, Harry Kane, top scorer in the last World Cup, scored in the 86th minute, sending the Three Lions to the quarter finals, where England cruised past Ukraine with a Harry Kane double and goals from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson. The Italians were however forced into extra time and penalties by the Spanish, after a 60th-minute goal by Chiesa was equalized by an Alvaro Morata strike in the 80th minute. Following the disappointment of not qualifying for the last World Cup, the Italians reinstat- ed themselves among the European elite after winning the penalty shoot-out against Spain. England were also forced to extra time, coming from behind with the support of a roaring Wembley crowd, after Harry Kane managed to recover the ball and score, after his penalty was saved by Danish keeper Peter Schmeichel. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JULY 2021 EURO 2020 RA H E E M S TE R LI N G J O R D AN PIC K F O RD IT FINALLY COMES HOME... TO MALTA A true treat for Maltese supporters tonight: a final between the titans that have commanded football supporters' attention for generations, Italy and England. Who wants to go car-carding tonight? KARL AZZOPARDI THE Euro 2020 tournament draws to a close Sunday evening with a final that is all the more special for Maltese football fans. The footballing divide between English and Italian team supporters is a long-standing feud that crops up every two years or so when the World Cup or the Euro arrives. This year's final sees one set of fans claim- ing ultimate bragging rights: a cup final win. But this rivalry is further intensified here in Malta, where followers of the big teams of the English and Italian leagues extend their support to their national teams in the international competitions in which no Maltese national team has ever been able to qualify for. Predictions Former Genk, Verbania and Mal- ta international Carmel Busuttil 'il- Bużu', says both teams are well-pre- pared and capable of lifting the trophy, but is cheering on the Ital- ians due to his sympathies for Milan. Footballing great Michael Mifsud says predictions are hard. "The Ital- ians will defend for a long stretch of the game, and then attack you and score immediately. On the oth- er hand, the English are formidable when they counter attack." Mifsud thinks the Italians have the edge, technically. "Collectively they are more compact, and slightly more experienced. The English are good young players, but I still think that experience will play its part." Both players credit England and Ita- ly's success in this year's tournament to their collective mindset. "Their success is based more on collective teamwork inside and outside the pitch. They have top players but both coaches managed to make everyone fight for the same objective and work for each other. Even the players who are not playing regularly feel impor- tant and valued," Busuttil said. "I think both teams' secret is that they are taking it game by game, and not letting expectations get the better of them," Mifsud said. Both footballers have also played their share of games before fired-up crowds, but they said that it will not be the deciding factor. "A profes- sional player on the pitch is so concentrated in the game, that it will not affect them," Mifsud said. "But obviously England are playing in Wem- bley, and the English support is what it is." But Busuttil thinks the Eng- lish home crowd will help the Italians. "In my experience, I was always motivated when playing in full stadiums. It won't make a big difference... except maybe for the refer- ee."