ITALY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Italians are optimistic and cautious after their national team beat England on penalties to set up a Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany

Record ID: 860967

  • Title: ITALY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Italians are optimistic and cautious after their national team beat England on penalties to set up a Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany
  • Date: 26th June 2012
  • Summary: TUTTOSPORT WITH HEADLINE READING (Italian): 'We are the Lions'. CORRIERE DELLO SPORT WITH HEADLINE READING (Italian): 'Huge!' GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT WITH HEADLINE READING (Italian): 'Let's Go! Germany, On Guard!'
  • Embargoed: 11th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • City:
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5R9ON32O13GUX1MP4N0RLWYMZ
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Italians have welcomed with cautious satisfaction their team's victory against England in the last Euro 2012 quarter-final on Sunday (June 24), in the first match between the nations for over a decade.
    Alessandro Diamanti struck the winning spot kick as Italy beat England 4-2 in a penalty shootout having dominated a 0-0 draw after extra time in the last Euro 2012 quarter-final on Sunday.
    For England and Italy, a shootout was a nightmare scenario they wished to avoid as both nations have dreadful records overall with the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup final triumph against France a rare bright spot.
    Italians going to work on Monday (June 25) said they were happy but aware of the challenge ahead.
    "I saw Italy with a good degree of motivation. But I expected it because the team has made constant progress in the tournament. Yesterday's game was no surprise to me" said Mariano Spina, in Rome.
    England's Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their penalties, leaving Diamanti to coolly slot home and earn the Italians a semi-final clash with Germany on Thursday (June 28).
    Italian newspaper headlines reflected confidence looking at the upcoming clash. Gazzetta dello Sport title read: "Let's Go! Now, Germans: On Guard!"
    "It was ok. Except maybe for the attack. Maybe Balotelli is out of place, but all the rest was ok. However, to win is important, even if at penalty shoot-outs," said another Rome resident, Gianpiero Spallanzani.
    "And England did nothing. What's his name, Ruby (Wayne Rooney) was totally neutralised," he added.
    Some Italians in the street expressed optimism that Italy will overcome their next opponents.
    "I am very happy. You'll see that (Italy) will kick out also those other ones, the Germans." Rosita Messina said.
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