Title joy sparks piazza parties

Italians spilled onto the streets from Milan to Palermo to celebrate their national side's Euro 2020 triumph over England on Sunday, pushing aside thoughts of the pandemic which has gripped the nation.

In the heart of the capital Rome, a concert of car horns and foghorns rang out amid a cloud of smoke from firecrackers after Italy lifted its second European title and first since 1968.

Roberto Mancini's side won 3-2 on penalties after the match at Wembley Stadium finished 1-1 after extra time.

At the final whistle, thousands of fans draped in Italian flags left fan zones installed near the Colosseum and Piazza del Popolo to converge on Piazza Venezia, at the foot of the monument to King Victor-Emmanuel II, father of Italian unification.

"Forza Italia! Campioni d'Europa!" roared the supporters.

The European soccer crown will return to Italy, though, three years after the four-time world champion failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.

"We can't win everything!" one fan, Piero, told AFP.

"The important thing was the Euro. It was our year," added his girlfriend, Federica.

Few of the crowds wore masks, which have not been mandatory outdoors in Italy since the end of June.

Discussions were held on whether or not to install a giant screen at Stadio Olimpico, but the authorities, fearing an outbreak of the Delta variant, decided against the idea.

On paper, large gatherings were prohibited. But it was difficult, in reality, to prevent young and old from finally meeting after months of lockdown when they were deprived of social life.

AFP