Humility, Sacrifices Help Italy Progress

Emotional Azzurre Credit Past and Present Players After Beating Norway to Reach Semis

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GENEVA - Team unity drove Italy to end their 28-year wait to reach the semi-finals of the Women's European Championship, Italian midfielder Giada Greggi said after their 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway.

“I think the humility, the fact that we are a united group, showing our qualities, that’s what made this important result and we brought it home,” said Greggi, who came off the bench in the 77th minute of the July 16 encounter in Geneva.

The raucous Italian crowd urged their players on, with chants of “Forza Italia” and the Stade de Geneve lit up when Cristiana Girelli found the net twice in the second half, including a 90th-minute winner.

“There 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 semi-final,” Greggi stated.

“It was a fantastic feeling. We almost didn’t believe it at the end of the game,” said Michela Cambiaghi, who also came on in the 77th minute in Geneva.

Italy defender Elena Linari said the 35-year-old Girelli was an inspiration for the team.