An ecstatic Italy coach Andrea Soncin credited previous gamers for paving the way in which after the Italians clinched their first European championship semifinal berth since 1997 because of a Ninetieth-minute header from Cristiana Girelli.
The Italians had been thrilled to make the Euro 2025 quarterfinals, however have gone a minimum of one higher after Girelli’s double lifted them to a 2-1 win over Norway in Geneva on Wednesday.
“It is one thing that makes me and us completely proud,” a grinning Soncin advised RAI. “However historical past is written by what has been carried out earlier than, so we should give credit score to those that have been there in earlier years, who, even with out these prospects, have given a lift to the motion. We’re reaping the fruits.
“The women deserve a whole lot of credit score as a result of they’ve carried out one thing distinctive; it’s lovely to find now that we have now entered historical past, now let’s get pleasure from it absolutely and in a couple of minutes we are going to begin fascinated with the semifinals.”
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It was Italy’s first knockout stage win at a significant event for the reason that 2019 World Cup. And Soncin and his staff made the a lot of the second. The 46-year-old coach clasped two gamers’ arms and the staff did a celebratory run hand-in-hand towards the Italian followers at Stade de Geneve after the ultimate whistle.
“Let’s actually get pleasure from this second. That is what I requested the women earlier than the match: to benefit from the second, this unimaginable environment,” he mentioned. “At this time was actually electrifying, from the anthem to the celebrations, with all of the individuals. One thing distinctive.”
Norway defended poorly for Girelli’s second purpose which proved deadly contemplating the Juventus striker scored essentially the most headed objectives in Europe’s huge 5 leagues this previous season.
“This isn’t only a victory for us, but it surely actually belongs to everybody, to all of Italian girls’s soccer,” the 35-year-old Girelli advised RAI.
“However actually, this can be a victory for the entire group, for 23 ladies, however extra so for all those that are at house watching the victory of all the Italian girls’s motion.
“That is actually one thing unimaginable for the brand new era; being among the many high 4 in Europe is a dream come true.”
Girelli now has 61 objectives for Italy and the final three all went into the identical internet on the mountains finish of the Stade de Genève stadium.
She additionally scored one of many objectives of the event, curling in a 22-meter shot in opposition to Portugal.
“We felt at house right here,” Girelli mentioned of the Swiss metropolis with an enormous Italian group the place the Azzurre will play a 3rd recreation subsequent week. “Possibly I may ask Juventus to play on this stadium, I am joking.”
Girelli heaped reward on Soncin, who was employed by Italy in late 2023.
“He has an especially vital human worth and it’s one thing we have now perceived for the reason that first days he arrived,” she advised RAI.
“He has tailored in a very particular manner, with a humility that’s onerous to seek out in an surroundings he was not aware of.
“Throughout coaching, simply wanting into his eyes tells us a whole lot of issues. A single look is sufficient for us to know if we’re heading in the right direction. There may be at all times a constructive power from him and it boosts our confidence.”
Italy will face the winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal between England and Sweden within the semis.
Info from Reuters, The Related Press and ESPN Analysis was used on this report.