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England coach Gareth Southgate comforts Bukayo Saka, who missed the decisive penalty
Photo: Andy Rain / AP
After the Italian triumph at the European Football Championship, Prime Minister Mario Draghi congratulated the team.
»The Azzurri, led by coach Roberto Mancini, have shown an extraordinary team spirit and played with great personality.
The trophy is returning to Italy after more than 50 years, ”said Draghi.
The Prime Minister will meet the team and caregivers at the seat of government on Monday to thank them on behalf of the entire government.
The Italians had previously won the European Championship final at London's Wembley Stadium on penalties, the second time since 1968. “We sensed that there was something magical in the air.
We deserve it, all of Italy deserve it, ”said Captain Giorgio Chiellini.
"We made history, let's enjoy it."
The English, on the other hand, mourned the missed opportunity to become European champions for the first time at home.
“It's the worst feeling when you lose.
It was a fantastic tournament for us.
We have to keep our heads up.
But of course it hurts, it hurts a lot, ”said England captain Harry Kane at the BBC.
"It'll probably hurt for the rest of our careers, but that's football."
Southgate takes the blame
“We are incredibly disappointed.
The players gave everything they had, ”said England coach Gareth Southgate.
"But it just hurts a lot right now." He took responsibility, said Southgate, choosing the penalty takers based on their performance in training.
"It was my decision, that was entirely up to me."
Southgate missed the decisive penalty in the 1996 European Championship semi-finals against Germany.
Shortly before the end of the game, he switched to Italy against Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who are considered safe penalty takers.
Both awarded from the point.
“Football is sometimes a cruel, cruel game.
These guys have shown heroic performances for a month, it is a shame that such a situation has to arise, ”said former England striker and current expert Alan Shearer on the BBC.
"You gave us a joy that my generation and below have definitely never felt watching an English team," said former defender Rio Ferdinand.
hba / dpa / Reuters
