Latest news with #CristianaGirelli
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Euro 2025: Tears for Italy and hope for the future after emotional semifinals loss to England
GENEVA — Tears, distress and disbelief. Italy captain Cristiana Girelli and defender Lucia Di Guglielmo cried as they walked around the field after an emotional semifinal loss — 2-1 after extra time to England on Tuesday — each with one arm around the other's waist. They waved goodbye to fans and their shared Women's European Championship title hopes inside Stade de Genève, which had been a joyous second home for them in Switzerland.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Tears for Italy and hope for the future after emotional semifinals loss to England
GENEVA (AP) — Tears, distress and disbelief. Italy captain Cristiana Girelli and defender Lucia Di Guglielmo cried as they walked around the field after an emotional semifinal loss — 2-1 after extra time to England on Tuesday — each with one arm around the other's waist. They waved goodbye to fans and their shared Women's European Championship title hopes inside Stade de Genève, which had been a joyous second home for them in Switzerland. Less than hour earlier, Italy had been little more than one minute away from advancing to a final few had imagined. "I feel that something has ended that we didn't want to end, because I still don't believe it's over," the 35-year-old Girelli said, in tears again in the player interview area. 'Probably fate has been a little cruel to us.' Goalkeeper's grief Goalkeeper Laura Guilani had been alone with her emotions after fulltime, face down on the turf in midfield. It would have been Italy's first trip to the Women's Euros title match since 1997. No Italian team had won a knockout game at the tournament in 28 years until Girelli's 90th-minute winning goal against Norway last Wednesday in the same stadium. In a heartbreaking end to the semis for Italy, England teenager Michelle Agyemang first took victory away with a game-tying goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time at the end of the regulation. Then, just as a penalty shootout loomed, England clinched the victory with Chloe Kelly's goal in the 119th to send the defending champion to Sunday's final. Adding to Italy's sense of unfairness, Kelly scored by swooping on a rebound after Guiliani had saved her penalty kick. Minute details 'We were one minute away from the final,' Italy coach Andrea Soncin said at a post-game news conference. 'The players have deserved a different end, but unfortunately it happens sometimes you don't get what you deserve,' he said in translated comments. The Italian team was ecstatic in the 33rd when Barbara Bonansea lashed a volleyed shot rising into the England net. For the fifth straight game Italy scored first, adding England to that list of opponents that includes World Cup champion Spain. Bonansea ran toward the Italy bench with her tongue sticking out, with a broad smile, to be embraced by her teammates. The team's emotions were evident and powerful even before kickoff. The national anthem had been sung with gusto, concluding with a yelled crescendo that had some players bent over with the effort. Protecting their lead from England attacks in the second half, center backs Elena Linari and Cecilia Salvai were defiant and Di Guglielmo had made a key header by the goalpost to clear imminent danger. Di Guglielmo's emotional post-game walk to salute Italy supporters was made wearing the jersey of their nemesis — Kelly's No. 18 — they had exchanged after the game. World Cup next Soncin acknowledged women's soccer in Italy was playing catch-up to nations which had more established programs, like England. 'It's another step we have to make to better manage these situations." In two years there will be a World Cup in Brazil where Italy, if it qualifies, will have a reputation and new-found respect to defend. With Girelli also? 'We achieved something great, something stratospheric, but we'll see,' the storied veteran said of her chances of playing on until then. 'These emotions are too beautiful to not want to relive them.' ___ Associated Press writer Felipe Rocha contributed to this report ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Euro 2025: Tears for Italy and hope for the future after emotional semifinals loss to England
GENEVA (AP) — Tears, distress and disbelief. Italy captain Cristiana Girelli and defender Lucia Di Guglielmo cried as they walked around the field after an emotional semifinal loss — 2-1 after extra time to England on Tuesday — each with one arm around the other's waist. They waved goodbye to fans and their shared Women's European Championship title hopes inside Stade de Genève, which had been a joyous second home for them in Switzerland. Less than hour earlier, Italy had been little more than one minute away from advancing to a final few had imagined. 'I feel that something has ended that we didn't want to end, because I still don't believe it's over,' the 35-year-old Girelli said, in tears again in the player interview area. 'Probably fate has been a little cruel to us.' Goalkeeper's grief Goalkeeper Laura Guilani had been alone with her emotions after fulltime, face down on the turf in midfield. It would have been Italy's first trip to the Women's Euros title match since 1997. No Italian team had won a knockout game at the tournament in 28 years until Girelli's 90th-minute winning goal against Norway last Wednesday in the same stadium. In a heartbreaking end to the semis for Italy, England teenager Michelle Agyemang first took victory away with a game-tying goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time at the end of the regulation. Then, just as a penalty shootout loomed, England clinched the victory with Chloe Kelly's goal in the 119th to send the defending champion to Sunday's final. Adding to Italy's sense of unfairness, Kelly scored by swooping on a rebound after Guiliani had saved her penalty kick. Minute details 'We were one minute away from the final,' Italy coach Andrea Soncin said at a post-game news conference. 'The players have deserved a different end, but unfortunately it happens sometimes you don't get what you deserve,' he said in translated comments. The Italian team was ecstatic in the 33rd when Barbara Bonansea lashed a volleyed shot rising into the England net. For the fifth straight game Italy scored first, adding England to that list of opponents that includes World Cup champion Spain. Bonansea ran toward the Italy bench with her tongue sticking out, with a broad smile, to be embraced by her teammates. The team's emotions were evident and powerful even before kickoff. The national anthem had been sung with gusto, concluding with a yelled crescendo that had some players bent over with the effort. Protecting their lead from England attacks in the second half, center backs Elena Linari and Cecilia Salvai were defiant and Di Guglielmo had made a key header by the goalpost to clear imminent danger. Di Guglielmo's emotional post-game walk to salute Italy supporters was made wearing the jersey of their nemesis — Kelly's No. 18 — they had exchanged after the game. World Cup next Soncin acknowledged women's soccer in Italy was playing catch-up to nations which had more established programs, like England. 'It's another step we have to make to better manage these situations.' In two years there will be a World Cup in Brazil where Italy, if it qualifies, will have a reputation and new-found respect to defend. With Girelli also? 'We achieved something great, something stratospheric, but we'll see,' the storied veteran said of her chances of playing on until then. 'These emotions are too beautiful to not want to relive them.' ___ Associated Press writer Felipe Rocha contributed to this report ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025 semifinals: Live updates, highlights as England continues title defense against Italy
The UEFA Women's Euro 2025 continues on Tuesday, as England and Italy face off in the semifinals. After a stunning comeback victory over Sweden in penalties, the Lionesses will now face the surging Italians in the semifinals for a chance to keep that run going. The Lionesses took home the 2022 Euro, marking the first major soccer trophy for the country in more than 50 years — men or women's. Now, the team is one game away from defending its title, but will have to get through Italy first. Advertisement England survived a highly competitive Group D — easily this year's group of death — to advance to the knockout stage, unseating the Netherlands in the process. But Sweden took control early in the quarterfinals, earning a 2-0 lead in the first half. Despite going down, the Lionesses were able to force extra time behind goals from veteran defender Lucy Bronze and 19-year-old forward Michelle Agyemang. English keeper Hannah Hampton had three saves in a decisive penalty shootout as Bronze scored the winning kick to send England to the semis. Also, England fans will rest easy: Despite going down with a nasty-looking ankle injury partway through the game against Sweden, captain Leah Williamson is set to play on Tuesday. Italy, meanwhile, picked up a 2-1 win over Norway off a brace from striker Cristiana Girelli, with Girelli's second goal coming in the 90th minute. The Italians finished second in Group B behind a dominant-looking Spain, pulling just ahead of Belgium and Portugal on points. It may be an uphill battle for Italy — Norway has not been playing its best this tournament, and only barely pulled off its three group stage wins in a very soft group — but the team will do its best to spoil England's party. Advertisement Date: Tuesday, July 22 Time: 3 p.m. ET Location: Geneva, Switzerland TV channels: Fox Streaming: Sling, DirecTV, Fubo and more Follow along below with Yahoo Sports for all the updates from England vs. Italy:
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
England vs Italy live stream FREE: How to watch huge Women's Euros semi-final without paying a penny
ENGLAND face Italy tonight in what is expected to be a thrilling Women's Euros semi-final - and fans can watch it all unfold for FREE. The Lionesses' trophy defence was on the brink of coming to an abrupt end when they went two goals down in 25 minutes during their quarter-final clash against Sweden. However, two goals in two minutes from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Ageymang, plus a chaotic penalty shootout win, saw Sarina Wiegman's side book their spot in tonight's final four match. And many will have the Lionesses as favourites to beat Italy, who have never won a major tournament in their entire history. But the Italians should certainly have the wind in their sails as Cristiana Girelli's double against Norway, fired Italy to their first Women's Euros semi-final since 1997. This match has all the ingredients to be an all-time classic, and SunSport can provide fans with information on how to tune in without paying a penny. How to watch England vs Italy for FREE England's huge 2025 Women's Euros semi-final against Italy will be broadcast for FREE on ITV 1. Coverage is scheduled to get underway from 7pm BST. You can also stream the match for FREE via the ITV X app or ITV website. Alternatively, SunSport's live blog will bring you minute-by-minute coverage as the Lionesses look to progress to the final. When is England vs Italy? England vs Italy will take place TONIGHT - Tuesday, July 22. The thrilling 2025 Women's Euros semi-final is set to kick off at 8pm BST. Stade de Geneve in Switzerland is the chosen venue for this contest and it can host approximately 30,000 fans. The Lionesses thrashed Italy 5-1 when the two countries last met in a 2024 friendly. England's team news Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman will be hoping her captain, Leah Williamson is fit again after being forced to come off during the heroic win against Sweden. Besides that, we could see the same team that started in the quarter-final win despite Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang's crucial involvement.
