Looking Back at Euro 2020

Even in name, EURO 2020 is an anomaly. The almost continent-wide football festival envisioned by UEFA which eventually kicked off a year later than expected maintained its original name and branding, almost as if it was oblivious to the fact that time did not wait for anyone; not even football. In an even more overt show of brazen ignorance, the competition went ahead with multiple host cities and thousands of miles of travel for various teams.

An idea hatched for a pre-pandemic world and one that was not willing to compromise, even in the face of the many obvious risks. In many ways, the tournament has been about this very theme. On and off the field various challenges have been faced and battles fought. Encouragingly, quite a few have been won; for equal rights, acceptance and just pure human kindness. 

The most glamorous prize however, was decided under the bright lights of Wembley Stadium in an encounter heavy with the tension of the occasion. From under that thick mist of emotion, it was the Italians who emerged – scarred and broken – as victors. It has been a long road to glory for the Azzurri, one that begun off the back of the immense disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Since then, they reset, rebuilt and came back onto the international stage in absolutely imperious form under Roberto Mancini. That brilliant form continued into the group stages of this competition. Absolutely glorious displays of talent and tactical organisation allowed them to breeze through their group, putting all of Turkey, Wales and Switzerland to the sword.