EURO 2024
Victory with tact: Italy wins more than the European Championship ticket
In Germany: Italy coach Luciano Spalletti (r) can plan for the 2024 European Championship. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
In terms of sport, the game between Ukraine and Italy was very important. But it was about much more. And the Italians don’t forget that even when they celebrate the European Championship ticket.
After the final whistle, the goalkeeper slipped Gianluigi Donnarumma on his knees in front of the away corner at the BayArena. His teammates followed him briefly, then formed up for a cheering picture.
But the Italian football stars refrained from making any further exuberant celebratory gestures on the pitch on this special evening. After missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the defending champions, with some trepidation and luck, secured their direct ticket to the European Championships in Germany with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine in Leverkusen. But it was clear to everyone that sporting success was put into perspective that evening.
Italians show tact
It would have been inappropriate to celebrate too euphorically for the brave Ukrainians, who not only had the defending champions eliminated in a tricky penalty situation in stoppage time. The Italians had the tact of true champions, showing a gesture of peace before kick-off and clapping along with their fans throughout the Ukraine anthem. After the brief celebration in front of the Tifosi, they gave their opponents another round of applause as they gathered in the center circle. Coach Luciano Spalletti and striker Federico Chiesa congratulated the opponent for their performance under the difficult circumstances.
“It was very emotional,” said Ukrainian national coach Serhij Rebrow, visibly moved: “The Italians on the pitch and those in the stands showed us respect and support.” Conversely, it probably didn’t seem appropriate for him to complain about the missed penalty. “I thought it was a penalty,” he said: “But they checked it. So that was probably just my feeling.”
The Italian media became clearer. “We have to thank the referee and the VAR,” wrote the “Gazzetta dello Sport”: “If he had denied us such a penalty, we would have talked about it forever.” The “Corriere della Sera” judged: “The Ukrainians will be angry and think of a conspiracy. But that’s fine for us.” La Repubblica was impressed by Ukraine’s mentality and promised: “We will sincerely cheer for them in the play-offs.”
Rebrow thanks German fans
Rebrow also thanked the German fans for the warm welcome; due to the Russian war of aggression, his team cannot currently play any real home games. And that’s just the logistical problem. “We all know that the war in Ukraine continues,” said Rebrow: “It’s pretty hard for the players. They’re always looking at their cell phones and watching the news. It’s not easy in this atmosphere. But all the players have shown that they have character and fight for their country.”
After the draw in a group with the last European Championship finalists England and Italy, “even in Ukraine not many people believed in us. But we fought until the last game.” And after only the lost direct comparison with Italy after the 1:2 in the first leg cost them the direct ticket, the Ukrainians hardly had any problems. Captain Taras Stepanenko thanked the “wonderful fans who came here from all over Europe” and immediately thought about the additional chance of participating in the European Championship for the fourth time in a row: “We are going into the play-offs with pride.” On the one hand, football seems so banal these days, but on the other hand, it is somehow even more important as a distraction and a glimmer of light.
Relief for Donnarumma and Co.
The Italians also felt this, but their relief was also noticeable. Participation in the European Championships is also owed to our own loyal fans, who always supported the team in difficult qualifying situations, said Donnarumma. And is looking forward to the European Championships: “We simply belong there. We’ll go in as defending champions. And with this spirit in the team, a lot is possible.”
A spirit that went far beyond sport on Monday evening in Leverkusen. And that’s why the Italians won more than just the European Championship ticket.