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The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Italy's icon Cristiana Girelli takes Le Azzurre to verge of Euro 2025 history
The clock showed 89 minutes and 18 seconds. That was how close a weary Italy were to extra time against Norway in a tense quarter-final in Geneva. It was clear from the frayed nerves and unusually dishevelled appearance of the coaching staff on Italy's bench that they were concerned those on the field did not have much left in the tank. All their stamina and emotions had been left on the pitch after almost 90 energy-sapping minutes of a game they knew they should be winning. What they seemed to forget for a minute, however, was that they have Cristiana Girelli. Their talismanic centre-forward can do many things on a football pitch but nothing is more certain than her scoring goals. They only needed one chance, one delivery and the odds were on that their captain would take it. That moment came: a pinpoint Sofia Cantore cross, an intelligent run by Girelli to lose the full-back and an angled header that had one destination. It was a goal emblematic of Girelli's career, which has spanned the best part of two decades, and sent Italy into a European Championship semi-final for the first time since 1997. With 122 caps and 61 goals across 12 years, Girelli has been at the forefront of Le Azzurre's last six major tournament appearances and is widely considered among her peers and fans as one of the best to pull on the shirt. Girelli has played her entire career in Italy, bridging the gap from amateur to full-time, with Serie A Femminile going fully professional only in 2022. She has spent seven seasons with Juventus and finished the last campaign as the league's top scorer with 19 goals that propelled Le Bianconere to their first title in three years. She is not a conventional No 9. Although her movement in the area, aerial ability and instinctive finishing are second to none, she is more than a penalty box poacher. She loves to drop deeper and help build from the pocket, is potent from free-kicks and, as shown in the Group C draw with Portugal, has the ability to score from distance. In the quarter-final, she not only scored twice but made six recoveries and led the way for Italy in terms of duels won (eight), touches in the opposition box (seven) and shots on target. It was a performance that illustrated her capabilities at defending from the front as much as her threat in front of goal. Girelli wears her heart on her sleeve. The emotion she feels representing her country and bringing them success runs deep. This has never been more evident than when the final whistle blew on Wednesday night. Having barely had time to rest after being substituted, she ran on to the field in disbelief, hands to her head, before embracing Barbara Bonansea, a player with whom she has spent so much of her journey. The two centurions' careers have been inextricably linked, their national team debuts coming six months apart and Girelli moving to Juventus a year after Bonansea. The latter deserves just as much credit for Italy's development. The tears flowed and the celebrations were euphoric. Girelli turned photographer temporarily for a picture in front of Italy's fans as they started to realise what they had achieved. 'It's a dream come true,' Girelli said. 'It's really something special. I felt something different – something special – in this team. I've seen a special light in the eyes of my teammates … It's history for Italian women's football. I'm so happy and proud for this team.' Unfortunately, the progress of the women's game in Italy has been slow, with less investment and accessibility than in other top European footballing nations. It has meant that Girelli has failed to receive due praise, something Italy's manager, Andrea Soncin, alluded to on Wednesday. 'Throughout her career, she's received less recognition than she truly deserves, both for her technical ability and her character,' he said. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion In the semi-finals await England, where there has been no lack of support in recent years. For Girelli, it could be her last appearance at a major international tournament. It is uncertain how long she can continue and she told AFP on Saturday that this would be her last Euros. However, she and her teammates will be determined this journey does not end just yet. Italy are on the brink of something monumental, one win from a game that could massively improve the trajectory of the sport back home. Girelli's legacy is written but her last contribution to a nation she has served for so long could yet be the biggest of all.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Italy's icon Cristiana Girelli takes Le Azzurre to verge of Euro 2025 history
The clock showed 89 minutes and 18 seconds. That was how close a weary Italy were to extra time against Norway in a tense quarter-final in Geneva. It was clear from the frayed nerves and unusually dishevelled appearance of the coaching staff on Italy's bench that they were concerned those on the field did not have much left in the tank. All their stamina and emotions had been left on the pitch after almost 90 energy-sapping minutes of a game they knew they should be winning. What they seemed to forget for a minute, however, was that they have Cristiana Girelli. Their talismanic centre-forward can do many things on a football pitch but nothing is more certain than her scoring goals. They only needed one chance, one delivery and the odds were on that their captain would take it. That moment came: a pinpoint Sofia Cantore cross, an intelligent run by Girelli to lose the full-back and an angled header that had one destination. It was a goal emblematic of Girelli's career, which has spanned the best part of two decades, and sent Italy into a European Championship semi-final for the first time since 1997. With 122 caps and 61 goals across 12 years, Girelli has been at the forefront of Le Azzurre's last six major tournament appearances and is widely considered among her peers and fans as one of the best to pull on the shirt. Girelli has played her entire career in Italy, bridging the gap from amateur to full-time, with Serie A Femminile going fully professional only in 2022. She has spent seven seasons with Juventus and finished the last campaign as the league's top scorer with 19 goals that propelled Le Bianconere to their first title in three years. She is not a conventional No 9. Although her movement in the area, aerial ability and instinctive finishing are second to none, she is more than a penalty box poacher. She loves to drop deeper and help build from the pocket, is potent from free-kicks and, as shown in the Group C draw with Portugal, has the ability to score from distance. In the quarter-final, she not only scored twice but made six recoveries and led the way for Italy in terms of duels won (eight), touches in the opposition box (seven) and shots on target. It was a performance that illustrated her capabilities at defending from the front as much as her threat in front of goal. Girelli wears her heart on her sleeve. The emotion she feels representing her country and bringing them success runs deep. This has never been more evident than when the final whistle blew on Wednesday night. Having barely had time to rest after being substituted, she ran on to the field in disbelief, hands to her head, before embracing Barbara Bonansea, a player with whom she has spent so much of her journey. The two centurions' careers have been inextricably linked, their national team debuts coming six months apart and Girelli moving to Juventus a year after Bonansea. The latter deserves just as much credit for Italy's development. The tears flowed and the celebrations were euphoric. Girelli turned photographer temporarily for a picture in front of Italy's fans as they started to realise what they had achieved. 'It's a dream come true,' Girelli said. 'It's really something special. I felt something different – something special – in this team. I've seen a special light in the eyes of my teammates … It's history for Italian women's football. I'm so happy and proud for this team.' Unfortunately, the progress of the women's game in Italy has been slow, with less investment and accessibility than in other top European footballing nations. It has meant that Girelli has failed to receive due praise, something Italy's manager, Andrea Soncin, alluded to on Wednesday. 'Throughout her career, she's received less recognition than she truly deserves, both for her technical ability and her character,' he said. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion In the semi-finals await England, where there has been no lack of support in recent years. For Girelli, it could be her last appearance at a major international tournament. It is uncertain how long she can continue and she told AFP on Saturday that this would be her last Euros. However, she and her teammates will be determined this journey does not end just yet. Italy are on the brink of something monumental, one win from a game that could massively improve the trajectory of the sport back home. Girelli's legacy is written but her last contribution to a nation she has served for so long could yet be the biggest of all.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Giugliano credits new energy for Italy's Euro 2025 run
GENEVA - Italy are back in the knockout rounds of the Women's European Championship for the first time in 12 years, and midfielder Manuela Giugliano chalked it up to an energy in the team that she had not felt before. Le Azzurre face Norway on Wednesday in Geneva in the first quarter-final of Euro 2025 and they are in for a stiff challenge against a Norwegian side that cruised into the knockouts after winning all three of their group-stage games. Italy won just one of theirs. That could not erase the smile from Giugliano's face on Tuesday, as she told reporters the team's confidence was high. "I've been feeling this since the first day, we had a retreat, we tried to create a positive energy, an energy that I could not feel in the past," the 27-year-old told a press conference. "This is an additional weapon for this group, and you bring this weapon on the pitch, it allows you to run more. And so this is the motivation and awareness we have today. Our group is a beautiful group, is a positive group, and we're all united to achieve the same goal." The Italians were once regular contenders at European Championships, finishing no worse than fourth in six of the first seven editions of Europe's elite women's tournament. Since 2001 however, they have only advanced out of the group stage in two of their six appearances, and not since 2013. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Coach Andrea Soncin said he had received numerous congratulatory messages about how the team has looked in Switzerland, and agreed with Giugliano that the squad's chemistry has made a difference. "There is the emotional aspect, that magic that they and us and we manage together, with all the staff managed to create," said Soncin, who shed tears of joy when Italy booked their knockout round berth. "When all the elements combine, there is a magical moment." REUTERS
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Women's Euro 2025: Spain reaches knockouts, Portugal keeps campaign alive after drawing vs Italy
Striker Alexia Putellas scored twice for world champion Spain as it beat Belgium 6-2 in their Women's Euros Group B clash on Monday, a result that guaranteed the Spaniards' progress to the knockout stage after Portugal failed to beat Italy later in the day. Spain took the lead through Putellas midway through the first half but was pegged back almost immediately thanks to a Justine Vanhaevermaet header from a corner. The Spaniards still went in ahead at the break, after captain Irene Paredes powered home a towering header of her own from a set piece. Hannah Eurlings put Belgium level again five minutes into the second half, only for Esther Gonzalez to restore Spain's lead two minutes later, and Mariona Caldentey made the most of Belgium's failure to clear a corner, pouncing to make it 4-1 in the 61st minute. ALSO READ: How can India qualify for FIFA Women's World Cup 2027? A brilliant curled effort from Claudia Pina in the 81st minute effectively ended the contest, and Putellas netted her second four minutes from time to put Spain top of the group on six points and eliminate the Belgians, who lost their opening game against Italy 1-0. Portugal's Euro campaign still alive after 1-1 draw with Italy A last-gasp equaliser by Portugal's Diana Gomes against Italy in a thrilling 1-1 draw kept her country's Women's Euro campaign alive as her strike cancelled out a stunning second-half goal by Cristiana Girelli on Monday. Le Azzurre thought they were through to the quarterfinals after Girelli scored in the 70th minute, shifting the ball to her right foot at the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot into the top right corner that goalkeeper Patricia Morais had little chance of stopping. But Gomes brought Portugal level in the 89th when a corner hit the bar and the Portuguese worked the ball back into the box for Gomes to fire home, sending their raucous fans, who chanted and banged drums throughout the night, into utter delirium. The draw spoiled Italy's chance of clinching a berth in the knockout round on Monday, with Spain the only Group B team to have so far guaranteed a quarterfinal spot.
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Portugal's Euro campaign still alive after 1-1 draw with Italy
GENEVA, (Switzerland): A last-gasp equaliser by Portugal's Diana Gomes against Italy in a thrilling 1-1 draw kept alive her country's Women's Euro campaign when her strike cancelled out a stunning second-half goal by Cristiana Girelli yesterday (July 7). Le Azzurre thought they were through to the quarter-finals after Girelli scored in the 70th minute, shifting the ball to her right foot at the edge of the box before unleashing a curling shot into the top right corner that goalkeeper Patricia Morais had little chance of stopping. The 35-year-old Girelli fought back tears after the goal. But Gomes brought Portugal level in the 89th when a corner hit the bar and the team worked the ball back into the box for her to fire into the roof of the net, sending their raucous fans, who chanted and banged drums throughout the night, into utter delirium. "We were solid, we were brave," proud Portugal coach Francesco Neto said. "We played high, pressed our opponents, and played like a team in the European Championship. We're a team with personality and ambition." The draw spoiled Italy's chance of clinching a berth in the knockout round on Monday, with Spain the only Group B team to have so far guaranteed a quarter-final spot with their 6-2 win over Belgium in the earlier match. Belgium are eliminated. Italy defender Cecilia Salvai said the night was a mix of emotions. "On one hand there's a lot of regret because we could have won the match, but we also risked losing it," she said. "Portugal kept a very high pace throughout the match; we'll take this draw. We had chances, and sometimes it's a matter of centimetres." Italy take on world champions Spain in their final group-stage game, while Portugal play Belgium. The Portuguese were considerably better at the back than they were in their 5-0 thrashing by world champions Spain in their opening game, digging deep to withstand a barrage of Italian attacks in a breathless back and forth affair in pouring rain at Stade de Geneve. Italy, who defeated Belgium 1-0 in their opener, celebrated what they thought was their opening goal late in the first half when Morais mishandled Girelli's header and Emma Severini bundled in the ball, but elation turned to dejection when the offside flag went up. Portugal experienced a similar roller-coaster of emotions when Diana Silva thought she had scored in the 80th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside after a VAR check. "It's not easy when you're losing, then you score but it's disallowed, and then score again. I'm very proud," Neto said. One negative on the night was Ana Borges's sending-off in the 96th minute after her tackle sent Barbara Bonansea clattering into the advertising boards.
