Crossfit Rotorua coach Leo Baldi and Wilson's Barber Shop owner Glen Atkinson are ready to back their home nations in the Euro 2020 final on Monday. Photo / David Beck
Crossfit Rotorua coach Leo Baldi and Wilson's Barber Shop owner Glen Atkinson are ready to back their home nations in the Euro 2020 final on Monday. Photo / David Beck
English and Italian football fans all over the world are waiting in anticipation for Monday morning (NZT) when their national teams go head-to-head in the Euro 2020 final.
Riding a national record unbeaten run of 33 games, Italy will play in their fourth European final and will look to winthe title for a second time, after 1968.
Meanwhile, England, of whom so much is often expected, are playing in their first final since the 1966 World Cup - England's only international title.
Even on the other side of the world in Rotorua, there are passionate ex-pats eager to get behind their team.
Crossfit Rotorua coach Leo Baldi and Wilson's Barber Shop owner Glen Atkinson are ready to back their home nations in the Euro 2020 final on Monday. Photo / David Beck
Wilson's Barber Shop owner Glen Atkinson has spent decades watching his beloved England fail to deliver on the world stage. On Monday, he hopes for redemption.
"It's overdue, obviously," he said.
"It's got to be our time, 55 years is a long time, it's at Wembley with a home crowd. The whole country's behind them, 60 million people, surely it's coming home."
Atkinson said, despite England having plenty of footballing talent in previous tournaments, "everyone else has just been better".
"No disrespect to Italy, it's going to be a dog fight, it's going to be tough, but it's coming home."
Meanwhile, passionate Italian Leo Baldi said if England had been waiting 55 years for another international title, they could wait for another four.
"It's coming to Italy," he said.
"We have a really young team, which is something that has changed in the last few years. We have two over 30 and the rest are 19, 20 years old and they're just smashing it, it's amazing to watch."
Italian footballer Jorginho celebrates scoring his side's winning penalty in the shootout against Spain. Photo / Getty Images
England's path to the final came via a Harry Kane penalty in the 104th minute of the semifinal against Denmark. Kane's shot was initially saved by the Danish goalkeeper but he was able to convert the rebound.
Atkinson said it was a nervous watch as he, his colleagues, and some customers crowded around a phone to watch at the barber shop.
"It was terrible," he said.
"It has been so long. I was shocked, I was mentally and physically drained after the game. That's what they put us through.
"When he scored it was brilliant. There were about 10 minutes after that which was awful, I was just like 'will you please blow that whistle ref'. When he did, what a feeling."
Harry Kane and his England teammates celebrate the winning goal against Denmark. Photo / Getty Images
While Baldi agreed the winning penalty was not well taken, he said the English side deserved the win and he was looking forward to watching his Italy take them on.
"On Monday, I have friends coming to my home and we'll watch there," he said.
"[To win a major tournament] is also amazing. It brings everybody together, it doesn't matter what your background is, you're all together and it's amazing.
"I grew up with football, I love rugby but I don't have the same feelings as I do for football."
Atkinson agreed, saying English football was in his blood.
"It's generation after generation, until the day I die, always," he said.
"We'll have a few drinkies down at the Good Eastern on Monday morning, there's a few of us going down, happy days.
"If we win, it will be a very messy day."
The Euro 2020 final between England and Italy will kick off at 7am (NZT) on Monday.
