"It's been 15 years since I have watched a football match, and this certainly shows that I am not an avid fan," says Melbourne-based Barbara Amalberti, who has been living in Australia for almost 30 years.
But her Italian roots are still strong, and this year they have come back with a vengeance during the European Championship final.
"This year I set the alarm clock at five in the morning to watch the match, and not only that, I even went to Lygon Street to celebrate, and it was absolutely fantastic."
Barbara joined a large crowd of Italian supporters who went to Carlton, Melbourne's Italian district, to watch the match and share the tension first, and the celebrations later. Among them, men and women, young and old.
Caterina Cerrina was also there with her sons, including her youngest who is 15. They have been living in Australia for almost nine years, and they wanted to be somewhere where they could breathe the atmosphere of the final surrounded by fellow Italian supporters.
They found exactly that in Lygon Street.
"Under normal circumstances, I would have watched the matches at home and I wouldn't have gone to Carlton, this time it was a need for connection," Caterina explains.
Italy wins the Euro 2020 Championship at Wembley Stadium, London, July 11th 2021. Source: AAP
"I wanted to transmit to my kids this link to our home country. I know it's only soccer, but it's a big part of it."
Eleven-year-old Oliver got up at 3:30 am and went to Carlton with his mum to watch the match. His mum Elena Maggi had even watched the Wimbledon final with Matteo Berrettini beforehand.
"It was beautiful, there was a wonderful atmosphere but when Italy scored I was in the toilet and my mum joked that maybe I didn't bring good luck to Italy," he told SBS Italian.
Luckily Oliver watched the penalties and the final score reassured him he hadn't really jinxed his team. "Forza Italia!" he concluded beaming, complimenting goalie Donnarumma's performance.
Lygon Street was teeming with people from as early as 4 am on Monday morning, with first-generation migrants mixing with second and third-generation ones, some of them too young to remember the last big win such a big crowd of Italian fans could celebrate, back in 2006.
An SBS Italian listener, Veronica Olivetto, shares her experience of watching the match on television. Source: SBS Italian
Italians in Australia also took to the streets in various parts of the country, from Adelaide to Hobart, from Perth to Darwin: wherever it was possible, people congregated to share their enthusiasm.
Italians in Sydney, currently in lockdown, celebrated at home, sharing a similar sense of excitement and using social media to share pictures of their flags and jerseys.
'Unifying experience'
But what made even people who are not avid football fans wake up at such an ungodly hour in the middle of the Australian winter?
Barbara has a theory: "I think Covid has certainly contributed, the fact that we cannot go to Italy, the fact that I needed to celebrate something... Yes, forza azzurri!"
Rosa, who watched the final (and thoroughly enjoyed it) mainly because of her son's passion for sport, echoes her words: "I like unifying experiences", she notes, adding that it was beautiful to see the Italian community so united, with different generations but also old and new migrants, getting together.
Italy's Jorginho (l) and Italy's Leonardo Bonucci celebrate with the trophy after the match. Source: Picture alliance via Getty Images
Elena, Oliver's mum, expresses a sentiment many shared.
"I am really happy for my home country, I feel like I have been spiritually close to them after some difficult and trying years ... They deserved this! May this be the beginning of a new season for everyone, some good news never hurt!"
