Women's Italy at the Quirinal, compliments of Sergio Mattarella
In a few words, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, recounted the experience of the whole country in following the “magnificent path” to Euro 2025 of the national team, which he wanted at the Quirinale today.
“I watched all your matches live and was ready to go to Basel for the final. You won your trophy, you had your medals. You have written a beautiful page of sport, honored the jersey and the flag” and given a signal to improve for women “the condition of social relations” said Mattarella addressing the group and staff, led by the captain, Cristiana Girelli, and the coach, Andrea Soncin, excited and proud.
That received from the Hill was an invitation hoped for by the girls, Girelli later admitted, moved during her speech, although they hoped to postpone it until next week, after the final. It didn’t turn out that way, but the return of women’s Italy to the Hall of Mirrors, six years after Milena Bertolini’s return from the 2019 World Cup, was nonetheless a strong signal of recognition and awareness.
“I asked you to come here by taking a detour in your schedules to thank you and congratulate you for the wonderful European you did, but also for the strong signal you sent – said the president -, you made an important contribution to make the country more just and aware. Since prehistory, it has always been more difficult for women everything. That condition is being overcome, fortunately. But there’s still a way to go, and that”s important, because that”s what sport is for, too.
An appreciation and recognition expressed by the presidents of the CONI, Luciano Buonfiglio – “excited” to be in the presence of the Head of State less than a month after his election – and of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, who were present together with the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi. The Azzurri “are the symbol of the best Italy, which never stops and gets back up after falls” said Gravina, perhaps making the Azzurri’s ears ring.
“You are now the team to beat” said Buonfiglio, urging them to keep striving to go to the World Cup and Olympics. Now it is still “too fresh” the disappointment, Soncin admitted, thinking about the missed final – where for the first time two women, the coaches of Spain and England, will sit on the bench – but just as strong is “the satisfaction for what we have done, for our journey. We felt the country clinging to us, pushed us along the way, ours was a cultural victory. I am convinced that after seeing us, many parents will allow their daughters to follow their passion” concluded the technician.
“We deserve respect and visibility: women’s soccer has come a long way in Italy but it is still hungry– Girelli’s words.
We came within 1′ of the final but it is not that minute that qualifies us: it is the path. A flame has been rekindled and we hope it will never go out again” was the final promise of the captainess.
