Latest news with #Soncin
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Italy boss responds to racist abuse suffered by England star ahead of Euro 2025 semi-final
England defender Jess Carter revealed she has been subjected to racist abuse during Euro 2025 and now the Lionesses will refuse to take the knee ahead of their semi-final against Italy in Geneva Italy head coach Andrea Soncin says his side stand in 'maximum solidarity' with Jess Carter after the England defender revealed she was the target of racist abuse on social media during Euro 2025. The Italians are through to their first women's European Championship semi-final in 28 years, but will have to knock out defending champions England in Geneva if they want to reach their first final since 1997. Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Soncin feels Italy have a 'huge responsibility' to stand up to the kind of vitriol directed at Carter, who has said she will be stepping away from social media for the remainder of the tournament. 'Of course there is the greatest solidarity towards her and towards all violence and abuse situations,' said Soncin. 'Any type of violence is not accepted, cannot be tolerated. Because of the role we play, we have a strong and huge responsibility in giving positive messages, and especially educational messages, first of all for the children who will be the adults of tomorrow. It is a cultural campaign, a cultural battle, we all have to fight together.' The Lionesses, in a statement released on Sunday, announced they will not be 'taking the knee' before their semi-final, explaining: 'It is clear we and football need to find another way to tackle racism.' Soncin said: 'I don't know whether getting on the knee is enough to change this aspect, but for sure there is maximum solidarity from our side. We are very ready to take part in any campaign to avoid this violence.' The Italy boss said he planned to speak with his group about how they might express their support to Carter and her team-mates when they meet on Tuesday night. He added: 'We haven't spoken about (a gesture) with the girls. As I said, we have the greatest solidarity, of course there is the greatest solidarity. As a coach, I will accept whatever the players decide to do.' Italy and Juventus defender Cecilia Salvai said: 'Yes, I believe that we will talk. We will discuss tonight, and our captains are dealing with this issue, and as our coach said, we are open and willing to do anything necessary to give a strong message.' England boss Sarina Wiegman said Carter is 'ready to perform' in their sixth-straight major tournament semi-final. Salvai added: 'As a player, I can say we will not be opponents tomorrow. I hope she can play this game, 100 per cent, because this is a semi-final. 'I hope she can try to detach a bit from this episode. Of course, she is not the first one who has been the victim of this abuse, and we have the greatest solidarity for her.'
The Star
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-We have the weapons to beat England, says Italy's Soncin
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Norway v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland - July 16, 2025 Italy's Cecilia Salvai, Italy coach Andrea Soncin and Italy's Eleonora Goldoni celebrate after the match REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) -Italy scraped through the group stage and needed a last-minute goal to beat Norway in the last eight, but coach Andrea Soncin believes his side have what it takes to beat reigning champions England in their Women's Euro 2025 semi-final on Tuesday. Soncin and his squad have spoken of their big dreams at this tournament and how overcoming adversity has brought them closer together, and they are confident they can beat Sarina Wiegman's side and secure a first appearance in the final since 1997. "We have done very well in this event. There is a lot of courage, awareness and serenity. That is what has accompanied us throughout the whole event," Soncin told reporters on Monday. "We are convinced that we have the weapons to win the game, and we have the utmost respect for the quality of the English players and their international experience." England survived a heart-stopping penalty shootout that saw only five of 14 spot-kicks scored as they beat Sweden 3-2 in their quarter-final, and Soncin said that it was virtually impossible to replicate the pressure of a shootout in training. "I don't believe that there is a specific way to train the penalties in a training session because there is the emotional aspect and also the physical aspect that come into play, but especially the emotional aspect which is not the same during a training session," he explained. "Of course we, like everybody, we try to ... also train penalties so that we're ready for everything, our objective is to reach the final." Soncin and Italy defender Cecilia Salvai, who also attended the media conference, offered their support to England's Jess Carter, who has withdrawn from social media due to the racial abuse she has received during the tournament. "It is a cultural campaign (against racism), a cultural battle we have to fight all together. I don't know whether taking the knee is enough to change this, but for sure there is maximum solidarity from our side, we are ready to take part in any campaign to avoid this abuse," Soncin said. "I hope she can play this game 100 percent because this is a semi-final, so I hope she can try to detach a bit from this episode. Of course, she's not the first one who's been victim of this abuse and we have the greatest solidarity for her," Salvai added. Germany take on Spain in the other semi-final on Wednesday. (Reporting by Philip O'ConnorEditing by Toby Davis)
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
We have the weapons to beat England, says Italy's Soncin
GENEVA - Italy scraped through the group stage and needed a last-minute goal to beat Norway in the last eight, but coach Andrea Soncin believes his side have what it takes to beat reigning champions England in their Women's Euro 2025 semi-final on Tuesday. Soncin and his squad have spoken of their big dreams at this tournament and how overcoming adversity has brought them closer together, and they are confident they can beat Sarina Wiegman's side and secure a first appearance in the final since 1997. "We have done very well in this event. There is a lot of courage, awareness and serenity. That is what has accompanied us throughout the whole event," Soncin told reporters on Monday. "We are convinced that we have the weapons to win the game, and we have the utmost respect for the quality of the English players and their international experience." England survived a heart-stopping penalty shootout that saw only five of 14 spot-kicks scored as they beat Sweden 3-2 in their quarter-final, and Soncin said that it was virtually impossible to replicate the pressure of a shootout in training. "I don't believe that there is a specific way to train the penalties in a training session because there is the emotional aspect and also the physical aspect that come into play, but especially the emotional aspect which is not the same during a training session," he explained. "Of course we, like everybody, we try to ... also train penalties so that we're ready for everything, our objective is to reach the final." Soncin and Italy defender Cecilia Salvai, who also attended the media conference, offered their support to England's Jess Carter, who has withdrawn from social media due to the racial abuse she has received during the tournament. "It is a cultural campaign (against racism), a cultural battle we have to fight all together. I don't know whether taking the knee is enough to change this, but for sure there is maximum solidarity from our side, we are ready to take part in any campaign to avoid this abuse," Soncin said. "I hope she can play this game 100 percent because this is a semi-final, so I hope she can try to detach a bit from this episode. Of course, she's not the first one who's been victim of this abuse and we have the greatest solidarity for her," Salvai added. Germany take on Spain in the other semi-final on Wednesday. REUTERS
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
England's penalty practice plans after Sweden drama revealed by Sarina Wiegman
Sarina Wiegman was asked about the prospect of England facing another penalty shoot-out at Euro 2025 after te Lionesses squeaked through against Sweden by the skin of their teeth England are ready for another penalty shoot-out against Italy on Tuesday - but manager Sarina Wiegman still hopes it doesn't come to that. The Lionesses fought back from 2-0 down to force spot-kicks against Sweden in the quarter-finals, scoring with just three of their seven efforts but still going through. '"We practice for hours and hours!,' Wiegman joked in her pre-match press conference before recognising things could go right to the wire once again. 'Over the last months players train for penalties all the time, also at their clubs, you want to be as prepared as possible,' she added "Hopefully it's not necessary. We have practiced again." Italy boss Andrea Soncin suggested nothing can compare to the pressure of taking a spot-kick in a full stadium during a knockout tie. 'I don't believe there's a specific way to train the penalty in a training session because there's the emotional aspect and physical aspect coming into play,' Soncin said 'Especially the emotional aspect which is not the same in a training session. 'Of course we try to train the penalties and believe anything can happen, of course it's something we work on.' England's substitutes played a vital role in the quarter-final triumph over Sweden, with Michelle Agyemang coming off the bench to equalise and Chloe Kelly having a part in both goals. Wiegman has been given a potential selection headache, but trusts her 'finishers' regardless of when they enter the fray. "I think she was sharp, I think all the substitutes who came on were really sharp and did their job," WIegman said of Kelly. "It was a hard fight but we got through." In the build-up to the game, England announced they would not be taking the knee ahead of the semi-final as they demand more steps are taken in the light of defender Jess Carter receiving racial abuse online. 'It's just to change it up,' midfielder Georgia Stanway said. 'We felt like the knee was just a little bit repetitive, we felt like it's come to a point where the knee isn't doing what we wanted it to do, so now our decision is to stand and hopefully that will bring up more conversation, more change and hopefully get the topic [spoken about].': Italy defender Cecilia Salvai said she and her team-mates would come together to discuss how they could show their solidarity towards Carter, while manager Soncin reinforced the squad's support for England and Gotam defender Carter. "Of course there is the greatest of solidarity to her and towards anyone suffering violence and abuse. It should not be tolerated," Soncin said. "We have a responsibility with the position we are in to send the right messages, we need to give education messages, including to children, it is a cultural campaign, a cultural battle. I don't know if getting on the knee is enough, but we are ready to take part in any campaign to help this." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Straits Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Soncin credits former Italy players for team's success at Euro 2025
GENEVA - An ecstatic Italy coach Andrea Soncin credited past players for paving the way after the Italians clinched their first European championship semi-final berth since 1997 thanks to a 90th-minute header from Cristiana Girelli. The Italians had been thrilled to make the Euro 2025 quarter-finals, but have gone at least one better after Girelli's double lifted them to a 2-1 win over Norway on Wednesday. "It's something that makes me and us totally proud," a grinning Soncin told RAI. "But history is written by what has been done before, so we must give credit to those who were there in previous years, who, even without these possibilities, have given a boost to the movement. We are reaping the fruits. "The girls deserve a lot of credit because they have done something exceptional; it is beautiful to discover now that we have entered history, now let's enjoy it fully and in a few minutes we will start thinking about the semi-finals." Soncin and his team made the most of the moment. The 46-year-old coach clasped two players' hands and the team did a celebratory run hand-in-hand toward the Italian fans at Stade de Geneve after the final whistle. "Let's really enjoy this moment. That's what I asked the girls before the match: to enjoy the moment, this incredible atmosphere," he said. "Today was truly electrifying, from the anthem to the celebrations, with all the people. Something unique." Norway defended poorly for Girelli's second goal which proved lethal considering the Juventus striker scored the most headed goals in Europe's big five leagues this past season. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Singapore 2 weeks' jail for man caught smuggling over 1,800 vapes and pods into Singapore Singapore Coffee Meets Bagel's Singpass check: Why I'll swipe right on that Singapore Jail for man who fatally hit his daughter, 2, while driving van without licence Sport 'Like being in a washing machine with 40 deg C water': Open water swimmers brave challenging conditions Singapore Primary 1 registration: 38 primary schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2A Singapore ComfortDelGro to introduce new taxi cancellation, waiting fee policy Business Cathay Cineplexes gets fresh demands to pay up $3.3m debt for Century Square, Causeway Point outlets "This is not just a victory for us, but it truly belongs to everyone, to all of Italian women's football," the 35-year-old Girelli told RAI. "But truly, this is a victory for the whole group, for 23 girls, but more so for all those who are at home watching the victory of the entire Italian women's movement. "This is really something incredible for the new generation; being among the top four in Europe is a dream come true." Girelli heaped praise on Soncin, who was hired by Italy in late 2023. "He has an extremely important human value and it is something we have perceived since the first days he arrived," she told RAI. "He has adapted in a really special way, with a humility that is hard to find in an environment he was not familiar with. "During training, just looking into his eyes tells us a lot of things. A single glance is enough for us to understand if we are on the right track. There is always a positive energy from him and it boosts our confidence." Italy will face the winner of Thursday's quarter-final between England and Sweden in the semis. REUTERS
