Hungry for European glory

The curtain closes on a mesmerizing summer of Euro football this Sunday, as supporters arrive at Wembley Stadium in mass amount to witness Italy and England do battle for the continental championship trophy. Who will lift the prestigious European trophy? Who will rule Europe? British Empire or Roman Empire?

Roberto Mancini's side booked their place in the showpiece event after coming up trumps in nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Spain, while England needed 120 minutes of their own to send Denmark packing 2-1 in the semi-finals.

It has been 53 years since Italy got their hands on the trophy, while the Three Lions are playing in their first major tournament final for 55 years as Gareth Southgate endeavours to write his own chapter of history.

With the wise old heads in defence, an irrepressible trio of talent in midfield and a fear-inducing attacking trident, Italy may have gone under the radar slightly before the first ball was kicked at Euro 2020, but the continental dominance has been there for all to see since 2018.

Failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia seems totally incomprehensible given how Mancini's men have swept aside the competition over the past three years, but not since the days of Dino Zoff and Luigi Riva have the Azzurri stepped foot onto the turf for a European Championship final and come up trumps.

The demons of 1996 have been banished, the chants of Sweet Caroline and Three Lions are being belted out at full volume, and England are in the Euro 2020 final. Following 18 months of coronavirus chaos which has led to devastating consequences on and off the pitch, the nation will come together to witness Gareth Southgate lead his history-making hopefuls out in the English capital ahead of their biggest game in 55 years.

Amid reports speculating that a full arena of spectators could be welcomed to Wembley to watch England play in a major tournament final for the first time since the turn of the millennium, Southgate - who could supposedly become Sir Gareth if his endeavours are successful - is reaping the rewards of taking on one of the most scrutinised and unforgiving jobs in the international footballing landscape.

Only a handful of the 1966 heroes are still around to watch the current England crop try to emulate their success, but Southgate's men - whether Sunday ends in joy or despair - will hope to have inspired the next generation of world-beaters to pick up that football, lace up their boots and follow in the footsteps of Kane and co.

As two heavyweight European forces prepare to collide in front of fans, former players and royalty, nations across the continent will undoubtedly smile back on a tournament like none other following a year like none other, and one can only hope that restrictions, quarantines and behind-closed-doors encounters will be distant memories by Qatar 2022.