EURO 2020: England and Italy ready for ‘tough’ clash of the titans

Well wishes are pouring out for England and Italy ahead of their clash on Sunday evening for the EURO 2020 title.

The match will kick off at 21:00 CET at Wembley Stadium in front of 60,000 fans —the vast majority there to support the Three Lions although a dedicated crowd of at least 1,000 Azzurri supporters will also be in the stands.

Football fever has reached the British monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II penning a letter on Saturday to England manager Gareth Southgate and the team to express her “good wishes”.

“55 years ago I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management, and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament,” she wrote.

“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for tomorrow with the hopes that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment, and pride with which you have conducted yourselves,” she added.

Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prime Minister, has also sent congratulatory words to the England side for their “amazing performance and achievement” in the EURO competition.

“You have forged a band of brothers whose energy and tenacity and teamwork — and sheer flair — seem to shine in everything you do.

“You have lifted the spirits of the whole country, and tomorrow we know that you can lift that trophy too.

“On behalf of the entire nation, good luck, have a great game — and bring it home,” he wrote.

’90 minutes to enjoy ourselves’

Azzurri players arrived in London on Saturday to fine-tune their strategy on British soil.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini told reporters at a press conference later in the day that the team has “a tough game ahead.”

“We have these last 90 minutes to enjoy ourselves. We’ll try to do what we know we can do and what has got us to this point.

“England are a strong team. They have some brilliant players and a lot of depth. But the fact that we have reached this point means we’re a strong side too,” he added.

Team captain Giorgio Chiellini said players will need “a strong heart and a clear head”. “There will be moments when we need to be brave and others when we need to be flexible.”

“Light-heartedness and a little bit of madness have got us this far and we’ll need them tomorrow if we’re to win this cup,” he went on.

Southgate, meanwhile, flagged that “there are fantastic players all through the Italian team.”

“They have a good tactical plan, experienced coach, and an amazing record over the last 30 games. We are very aware of that,” he went on, adding: “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

His team captain, Harry Kane, stressed players “started this tournament with an aim to win it, and we now have that chance to do that.”

“It’s just about staying calm and relaxed as you can and then just try to enjoy the moment when you’re out there.

“We have a real focus and determination in the group, and to knock down barriers in our country that have been there for a long time,” he also told reporters.