GENEVA 鈥 Team unity drove Italy to end their 28-year wait to reach the semifinals of the Women鈥檚 European Championship, Italian midfielder Giada Greggi told Reuters after their 2-1 quarterfinal win over Norway.
鈥淚 think the humility, the fact that we are a united group, showing our qualities, that鈥檚 what made this important result and we brought it home,鈥 Greggi, who came off the bench in the 77th minute of Wednesday鈥檚 encounter, said.
The raucous Italian crowd urged their players on, with chants of 鈥forza Italia鈥 and the Stade de Geneve lit up when Cristiana Girelli found the net twice in the second half, including a 90th-minute winner.
鈥淭here were a lot of emotions in that (second) goal. It was the whole journey we took, the sacrifices we made and in the end we reached the semifinal,鈥 Greggi stated.
鈥淚t was a fantastic feeling. We almost didn鈥檛 believe it at the end of the game,鈥 said Michela Cambiaghi who also came on in the 77th minute.
Italy defender Elena Linari said the 35-year-old Girelli was an inspiration for the team.
鈥淣ow we鈥檙e going to put Girelli in a display case to rest for the semifinal 鈥 she deserves it all, and she鈥檚 such a huge inspiration for us,鈥 Linari said.
It was the first time since 1997 that Italy had reached the semifinals at a European Championship.
鈥淚t was achieved with effort and many sacrifices… today we have shown that we can do very well,鈥 Greggi said.
Before the match Italy鈥檚 coach asked his team to close their eyes and think back to the first time they had touched a football, Barbara Bonansea said.
鈥淭he feeling I have now is exactly the same. The stadium was packed, the energy was incredible. This achievement fills my heart,鈥 she added.
Italy will face either England or Sweden in the semifinal. 鈥 Reuters
