Rome: President Sergio Mattarella received Italy’s women’s national team at the Quirinal Palace on Thursday after their heroics at this year’s European championships. The Azzurre reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Euros for the first time since 1997 and were just minutes from reaching the final before suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to reigning champions England after extra time on Tuesday.
According to Ansa News Agency, they were in front thanks to Barbara Bonansea’s well-taken goal in the first half until teenage forward Michelle Agyemang came off the bench to equalize for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time and then Chloe Kelly touched in the rebound of her saved penalty to decide the encounter in the 119th minute.
“I asked you to take a detour from your schedule and come here to thank you and congratulate you,” commented Mattarella, who said he watched all the Azzurre’s games at the Euros. “To thank you for the splendid European Championship, in which you brought honour to the jersey and flag of your country.”