I did say Italy looked a good team 🙂. And while they obviously had the better of the middle of the game, the fact it went to penalties without either team ‘parking the bus’ suggests the margin between the teams wasn’t actually very much at all. But elite sport operates on the thinnest of margins, and so here we are. Well done to the Italians, they are worthy winners. Georgio Chiellini in particular has been one of the best defenders in the world for what feels like forever.
In England terms, you have to consider this a good tournament - if you’d asked, I’d have said they were maybe the fourth best team that qualified, so getting to the final is ‘better than par’ - and good progress. From a semi final last tournament to a final this time. Overall once the disappointment has faded, it has to be considered a success.