Gravina defends himself: ‘Under 21 robbed, two years ago we European champions’
Gravina defends himself: ‘Under 21 robbed, two years ago we European champions’
Figc president Gabriele Gravina does not want to hear about a crisis in Italian soccer despite the two missed World Cups and the long absence from the Olympics. “I’m sorry to disappoint the fans when we don’t qualify for the World Cup or the Olympics,” he told Avvenire, “but I win in other sectors and in the dimensions in which the FIGC is investing in economic and especially human resources.
“As for results, I point out to defeatists that Roberto Mancini’s national team, in addition to a European Championship won in 2021, had also set the world record of 37 unbeaten matches, a record snatched from the old and winning selections of Spain and Brazil.”
The Under 21 flop: “The Under 21 until the victory with Switzerland had been defended, as it was ‘robbed’ by the very regular ghost goal scored against France, and taken as an example for ‘excellent soccer.’ Then it is eliminated and people cry scandal about the paucity of our youth sector. Then, again for the sake of knowledge, I inform that all our youth national teams have reached the final stages of their respective European and world tournaments and that the Under-20 team is currently the vice-champion of the world.”
