How Italy’s Euro 2020 success inspired Cristiana Girelli and the women’s team

In just six weeks, 22 players will walk out on the hallowed turf at Wembley to contest the final of Euro 2022.

There will be 20 days’ worth of football played before this, with the best 16 teams in Europe battling it out to book their place at Wembley.

The same happened last summer, but in men’s football. It was England and Italy who emerged as the two teams worthy enough to contest the Euro 2020 final, and despite playing in front of a largely hostile crowd, it was the latter who triumphed.

Looking to follow in their footsteps is Italy’s women’s team. The side are playing in their 11th European Championship – after a period of time between 1984 and 1997 where they always reached at least the semi-finals, they have since struggled to progress from the group stage.

But Cristiana Girelli is hoping that will all change this summer. The Juventus striker told GiveMeSport Women how Italian success at Euro 2020 left the women’s team feeling inspired.

“There’s no pressure, I think we just have the example of the men,” she said. “They gave us the example that even if you are maybe not favourite, you can win the Euros. We celebrated a lot last year for them.”

The 32-year-old Girelli made her senior debut for Italy in 2013, and was selected to play in the Euros that summer. Her side reached the quarter-finals, but reverted back to crashing out in the group stage at Euro 2017.

“Of course, we want to do better than last time in the Netherlands,” Girelli explained. “I remember we lost the first game [against Russia], so we were out. But then after, against Germany and Sweden, we played really well.”

“So, I think we have the experience to know the first game will be important, and every match will be important. We can’t take it for