logo
How Italy's perfect blend is allowing their dreams to run wild at Euro 2025

How Italy's perfect blend is allowing their dreams to run wild at Euro 2025

New York Times4 days ago
There's a saying in Italian: I sogni non sono nei cassetti perche ci stanno stretti. It translates as: Dreams are not kept in drawers because they are too tight.
That much was certain last Tuesday as Italy defeated Norway 2-1 in a Women's European Championship quarter-final to reach their first tournament semi-final since 1997, allowing their deepest wishes to run wild and free.
Advertisement
'We all dreamt together,' said midfielder Annamaria Serturini ahead of the quarter-final match. 'We all dreamt because, in the end, everyone dreamt for a long time. We have reached our great goal, and we do not want to stop. We want to continue dreaming, and making Italians dream.'
With reigning European champions England next today (Tuesday), Italy are dreaming hard. But, as Serturini says, many of these players have also been dreaming for a long time.
Of the 16 teams at this tournament, Italy's average squad age was the fourth-oldest (28.34 years), behind those of Sweden, Portugal and Wales. Comparatively, the other three sides still standing in Switzerland rank between eighth- (England, 26.93) and 10th-oldest (Spain and Germany are level at 26.33).
Excluding the last two quarter-finals, of the 52 line-ups put forth by various teams at Euro 2025, Italy have fielded four of the 15 oldest sides (Sweden, Portugal, Wales and the Netherlands sent out the other 11 between them).
Striker Cristiana Girelli, who got both goals in that win against Norway, is this tournament's fourth-oldest scorer at 35 years old, behind Wales' Jess Fishlock (38), Janice Cayman of Belgium (36) and Sweden's Kosovare Asllani (who is also 35 but around nine months older than Girelli).
Also, of Italy's six most-used players in these finals so far, four are in their thirties: Girelli (298 minutes), goalkeeper Laura Giuliani (32 years old; 360), forward Elena Linari (31; also 360) and defender Cecilia Salvai (31; 347).
Before we go any further: no, this is not a piece focusing solely on the age of Italy's squad. But one of their main problem areas for the Itailans after getting to previous tournaments was a perceived lack of pace and energy; they were a talented team bogged down by immobility.
In the past two years, though, they have looked sharper, more energetic, despite still being bookended in goal and up front by two of the three oldest players in the squad in Giuliani and Girelli. The key has been the gradual introduction of a new generation around the experienced core to supplement their talents with pace and vivacity.
Advertisement
Specifically in midfield and along the flanks, Italy have looked much more lively in their displays. Full-backs Lucia Di Guglielmo and Elisabetta Oliviero are both 28 and have had good tournaments, while a midfield of Manuela Giugliano (27), Arianna Caruso (25) and Emma Severini (22) outworked and outplayed Norway last week.
Even more beneficial have been the performances from Sofia Cantore up front.
The 25-year-old forward, who joined NWSL side Washington Spirit from Juventus last month, assisted both goals against Norway. In Girelli, Italy have a very good penalty-box player — her one-touch close-range finish for the opener in that quarter-final and 90th-minute headed clincher are cases in point — but Cantore provides the zeal and creativity that allows her team-mate to focus on occupying those areas in the opposition box.
Girelli's two goals that night were emblematic of Italy since the September 2023 appointment of head coach Andrea Soncin, who has shifted the team's look with this modest generational change.
In fact, of the starting XI against Norway, six — Barbara Bonansea, Giuliani, Girelli, Salvai, Giugliano and Linari — all made their national-team debuts between 2012 and 2014. The rest — Di Guglielmo, Oliviero, Caruso, Severini and Cantore — made theirs between 2019 and 2024.
Many of Italy's big moments have stemmed from the older players in their thirties, the ones who have endured big games, big dreams and big heartbreak in the past as a collective, while more recently introduced 'additions' enter the pool as players come of age.
Calling these players 'young' would be disingenuous. Only Severini is under 24 years old. Yet, there is something abnormal about this blend.
International teams are generally spaced by four years, with youth teams graduating together, contending for some time, then being replaced via gradual onboarding of their successors. In this way, sides take on the look of a quilt: kiddos, prime players and veterans stitched together and all scoring and playing. England at this tournament are a good example of this, with their quarter-final goalscorers Lucy Bronze (33) and Michelle Agyemang (22) having 14 years and three months between their respective birth dates.
Advertisement
Italy's chemistry is more two-dimensional than three.
Soncin has found success in this method. His tenure began with a 2023-24 Nations League campaign in which Italy finished second in their group behind Spain but recorded a historic 3-2 away win against the world champions, leading to some of the optimism currently surrounding the squad. That sense of positivity was further built during Euro qualifying earlier this year, as Italy finished top of their group ahead of the Netherlands, who won the competition in 2017.
Tonight against England, Italy will doubtless be underdogs, as they were in the previous round.
Norway were disorganised last week and allowed Soncin's midfielders to move without much pressure. The English should be stronger in this aspect of the game — but Italy have surprised many in the past two years to reach this historic point, and that is arguably because of the slow but purposeful blend the 46-year-old coach has managed to nurture.
Calling it a revolution (or even an evolution) is arguably a step too far. Rather, it's a slow reawakening, a reformation, nailing Italy's dreams to the front door of this tournament.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Women's football is getting younger, but 30-somethings across the globe are proving their worth
Women's football is getting younger, but 30-somethings across the globe are proving their worth

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Women's football is getting younger, but 30-somethings across the globe are proving their worth

Sweden forward Kosovare Asllani made her European Championship debut in 2009 — she was 19 when she started a 3-1 quarterfinal defeat to Norway. Now 35 years old, she is the marquee player of the recently promoted London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League (WSL) and was still forcing her way into Sweden's starting line-up at this summer's Euros. It felt cruelly apt that a 19-year-old played a part in helping end her tournament. England's Michelle Agyemang came off the bench to inspire a comeback from 2-0 down as Asllani and Sweden were sent home, again in the last eight, after a penalty shootout. Continued investment in the women's game has allowed players to find opportunities earlier than ever before — and teenagers are grabbing their chances. Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland had Sydney Schertenleib, 18, and Iman Beney, 19, in their ranks, with 22-year-old Alayah Pilgrim also impressing. Vicky Lopez's stunning Euros debut — she turned 19 today — might have eased Spanish anxiety over the early absence of Aitana Bonmati through illness, while Agyemang's goals have rescued defending champions England from defeat in both their two knockout-phase matches so far. But the veterans are still having their say in Europe — and beyond. Asllani's two goals and three assists in four matches this summer have proved that older players are not just making it into tournament squads to provide emotional support and look after their younger teammates. Cristiana Girelli was masterful for Italy, who reached the semifinals of this competition for the first time since 1997. The 35-year-old Juventus striker combined brilliantly with younger players for two goals in the quarterfinal against Norway and had to be almost dragged off the pitch after picking up an injury against England in the last four. Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who should win save of the tournament (if not the year, regardless of gender), is 34 but making her European Championship debut. The same goes for 32-year-old Spanish striker Cristina Martin-Prieto, who made the most of her minutes off the bench with a goal against Portugal in the group stage. And when Wales midfielder and NWSL veteran Jess Fishlock, 38, became the oldest player to score a goal in tournament history, it was also the first by that country's women at a Euros or World Cup. 'It's on another level from 2009 when I played my first tournament,' Asllani said before that loss to England. 'The game is growing all the time. With that visibility the sport is getting now and the recognition, when you watch women's football, you know you want to watch it because it's intense and fun. We don't die!' Looking across the three continental tournaments happening right now — these Euros, the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, and the Copa America Femenina in Ecuador — throws up no clear throughline approach to assembling a championship-quality squad. So, what is the ideal balance of youthful arrogance and elder wisdom, fresh and fearless legs and those that won't buckle under the pressures of stadium lights and a raucous crowd because they have been there so many times before? France manager Laurent Bonadei skewed his Euros squad toward the youth. He referenced Einstein to justify his decision to leave 35-year-old defender and former captain Wendie Renard out, instead calling up Thiniba Samoura, 14 years her junior, and entrusting the leadership of the back line to 30-year-old Griedge Mbock. But when France failed to exploit their player advantage against Germany in the quarterfinals and a shootout was needed to separate the sides, few could ignore the unspoken question hanging in the air as 21-year-old Alice Sombath stepped up to take her spot kick: could more age, experience and wisdom have come in handy? Morocco have the highest number of players aged 34 and older across the three tournaments with four, and are into their second WAFCON final in a row after a dramatic shootout win against Ghana. They will face nine-time WAFCON champions Nigeria on Saturday, with star striker Ghizlane Chebbak, 34, who has scored four goals in the tournament including a hat-trick against DR Congo, joined by starting goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi (35), Najat Badri (37), and Aziza Rabbah (39) in a squad bidding for their country's first African title in the women's game. Nigeria has only one player on their roster aged 34 or older: backup goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, 38, who has not played a single minute in the finals so far. And in South America, despite the gravitational pull that is 39-year-old Brazil great Marta, Colombia has a core group of three older players. Daniela Montoya (the 34-year-old scored twice in their 8-0 drubbing of Bolivia), Catalina Usme, 35, and 34-year-old Carolina Arias outnumber Brazil's older players. Apart from Marta, Brazil coach Arthur Elias has called up younger players hungry for a bigger spotlight, such as 20-year-old Dudinha (who recently signed with the NWSL's San Diego Wave), Luany, 22, and 19-year-old Jhonson. The two sides went scoreless in their group stage match on Friday, which saw Brazil lose goalkeeper Lorena to a red card in the 24th minute. It didn't offer many additional data points to determine which approach wins out, but it does further thicken the plot — especially with the possibility of seeing this matchup again. The women's game is providing more players the luxury of shorter careers if they choose — higher salaries and greater opportunities for retirement could mean fewer years spent on the pitch. And future stars are knocking. Asllani noted that one of the subtler changes from her first Euros to the present is the post-match jersey swapping — 'We had our names on our shirts, but you couldn't switch shirts,' she said. Now a common ritual, it's also a reminder of how fleeting big-game moments are. The sport's older players won't be around forever, but watching them in action, you would be forgiven for thinking twice about that. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Morocco, Colombia, International Football, NWSL, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros, Copa America 2025 The Athletic Media Company

White Ensign beaten in eventful season opener
White Ensign beaten in eventful season opener

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

White Ensign beaten in eventful season opener

IT was an entertaining start to the Essex Senior League campaign, with seven goals and three red cards at Burroughs Park, as White Ensign lost 5-2 to SOUL Tower Hamlets. The 2025/26 season got off to the worst possible start for Ensign who found themselves 4-0 down inside 33 minutes. Although Riley Weir did pull one back for the hosts just before half time, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion six minutes after the restart through Samir Bihmoutine. On 73 minutes, following a clumsy challenge from Joseph Atoki, both he and two Tower Hamlets players were sent off – including goalkeeper Sidi Haidara. Ensign failed to make the man advantage count, only managing a single consolation goal deep into injury time thanks to Mechack Asuka. It took the visitors just 63 seconds to break the deadlock and it came courtesy of an Ensign mistake. Tolu Ajayi's fluffed clearance gifted the ball straight to Sherman Artmeladze, who lobbed the ball over Ensign 'keeper Jordan Williams to give the visitors an early lead. Tower Hamlets were only promoted to the Essex Senior League last season, but made light work of Ensign and soon added to their lead with two goals in quick succession. Rian Patel did well up against Ajayi on the right-hand side before finding Steve Carvell in space in the box. His shot was parried by Williams, but only as far as Kieran James who side footed home the rebound from close range. The away side kept up the pressure, with Artmeladze seeing a shot from distance turned behind by Williams, and they soon added a third to their tally. Carvell got his name on the scoresheet, thumping an unstoppable strike past Williams and into the top corner from 20 yards. Things then got even better for Terry Spillane and John Field's team, making it 4-0 just past the half hour mark. James slipped a clever pass into Artmeladze who was able to break into the box and, despite losing his balance, wriggled away from both Ajayi and Albie Keith, before chipping the ball over Williams and into the top corner. Any hopes of a major Ensign comeback were increased somewhat just before the interval, with the hosts reducing the deficit to three goals. Rio Campbell dug out a cross and it was met by Weir who beat Haidara with a stooped diving header to make it 4-1 going into half time. However, six minutes into the second period, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion. Louie Maxwell thumped the ball forward and over the Ensign backline, Bihmoutine raced onto it, beat Williams to the ball and poked it past the Ensign 'keeper and into the back of the net. The game fizzled out somewhat after this, however with 20 minutes left to play it sparked back into life. Haidara claimed an Ensign corner and looked to start a Tower Hamlets counterattack. However, when he went to kick the ball he was caught by Atoki, resulting in Haidara wrestling Atoki to the ground and sparking a huge fight between both sets of players. When tempers did finally cool down somewhat, referee, Adeolu Adeyemi, brandished three red cards – dismissing both Atoki and Haidara as well as Tower Hamlets defender Keanu Hill who was also involved in the melee. This resulted in, not only a man advantage for Ensign, but also outfielder Taylor Gibson having to go in goal for Tower Hamlets. Aaron Bloxham's side couldn't make this count though. A glancing header from Asuka, seven minutes into injury time proved nothing more than a consolation as Ensign fell to a heavy defeat on opening night. Ensign are next in action on Wednesday night, when they entertain a Barking side who take on Basildon United this weekend.

Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk
Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk

Yahoo

time3 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Howe confident Isak will stay at Newcastle despite transfer talk

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to either Premier League champions Liverpool or Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Isak has not travelled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury, but Howe said the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key part of his plans. "Of course, there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes," Howe told reporters in Singapore, where Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday. "He is aware he's in the news every day, which I'm sure is not easy for anyone in that situation. "Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a good relationship," Howe added. Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has been "magnificent for us for as long as he has been with us," said Howe. "And he is very comfortable in the dressing room." Isak did not travel with the Magpies after the thigh injury kept him out of Newcastle's friendly defeat to Celtic last week. "He mentioned before the Celtic game that it would be very minimal and nothing too serious," said Howe. "But he left training very early and didn't feel right. So, he's now back in Newcastle getting that injury assessed." Howe remained confident that Isak will be wearing black and white when the new season kicks off next month. "I said after the game against Celtic that I was confident he would stay. I don't see anything that is going to change that opinion of mine at the moment. "It's football," he added. "And who knows what the future may bring." The Magpies ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League. "I think once you've experienced that feeling of winning, you want it again. So, we want to do it again as soon as possible, in all the competitions we are in," said Howe. "We set the bar very high, and there's a lot of ambition within the team." str/jhe/dh

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store