Italy's Women's Team Revived by Team Spirit at Euros

Italy has returned to the knockout rounds of the Women's European Championship after a twelve-year absence. Midfielder Manuela Giugliano attributes this success to a newfound energy within the team, a feeling she hadn't experienced previously.

Italy is set to face Norway in Geneva in the quarter-finals. The match presents a significant challenge, as Norway advanced to the knockout stage with a perfect record in the group stage, while Italy secured only one victory. Despite this, Giugliano expressed the team's high confidence during a press conference.

Giugliano, aged 27, highlighted the positive energy cultivated since the team's initial retreat. She emphasized that this positive atmosphere is a crucial asset, fostering increased effort and motivation on the field. She described the team as a unified and supportive group, all working towards a common objective.

Italy was once a consistent presence in the European Championship, consistently finishing among the top teams in the early years of the tournament. However, since 2001, they have only progressed beyond the group stage twice, with their last advancement in 2013.

Coach Andrea Soncin has received numerous messages of congratulations regarding the team's performance in Switzerland. He echoed Giugliano's sentiments, acknowledging the impact of the team's strong chemistry. Soncin described the emotional connection and the "magic" created by the team and staff, which he believes has been instrumental in their success.