Time for others to fear Italy, says Serturini
The Italians scored a late winner to beat Norway 2-1 in their quarter-final to make it into the last four of the tournament for the first time since 1997, setting up the meeting with England in Geneva on Tuesday. Germany and Spain face off in Zurich a day later.
"It's not a coincidence to be among the top four in Europe. The path we took with (coach) Mr. (Andrea) Soncin is very important. He brought us so much tranquility, enthusiasm and security," midfielder Annamaria Serturini told reporters on Sunday.
"I think we can see how much the group can make a difference, and today I tell you that if we are there, it is because we deserve it ... it is not a coincidence if we are there, so I welcome that the other teams start to fear us."
The 27-year-old said that the sense of unity in the squad had filled them with confidence as they prepare to take on an England side that squeezed past Sweden and into the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout.
"We have the possibility to make everyone believe in us," Serturini said. "We have a great goal that we are all aware of, so we don't have a lot of pressure, because it's right to live, to enjoy every moment and every training, because it's really something magnificent to go through every day with all the people who are here."
To succeed against England, Serturini said that Italy will have to make the most of their chances.
"When we approach a semi-final or a final, it is difficult to get many opportunities, but those few that you have, you have to be able to convert them, because we know their value," she explained. — REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
16 minutes ago
- The Star
Cycling-Wiebes sprints to stage four win at Tour de France Femmes
POITIERS, France (Reuters) -Lorena Wiebes stormed to her second consecutive stage victory at the Tour de France Femmes on Tuesday, winning the fourth leg with a dominant sprint finish. The Dutch rider from Team SD Worx launched her move around 250 metres from the line and proved untouchable, sealing another emphatic stage victory. Fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos took second place, with Ireland's Lara Gillespie finishing third. The largely flat 130.7-km stage from Saumur to Poitiers saw the peloton remain tightly packed until the closing stretch before a showdown amongst the sprinters. Wiebes timed her effort perfectly, leaving her rivals unable to respond before it was too late. She also triumphed in a chaotic sprint on Monday and now sits second overall, trailing Vos, who retains the yellow jersey. (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)
The Star
16 minutes ago
- The Star
Cricket-India head coach Gambhir clashes with ground staff during pitch inspection
FILE PHOTO: Newly appointed Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir addresses the media at a pre-departure press conference ahead of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, in Mumbai, India, July 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -India head coach Gautam Gambhir got into a heated exchange with Surrey's head of ground staff Lee Fortis, who asked him to keep a distance from the wicket while inspecting the pitch at the Oval, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Tuesday. Visitors India are set to play their last test of the five-match series against England from Thursday at Surrey County Cricket Club's stadium, with the hosts leading 2-1. Gambhir appeared to raise his finger as he spoke to ground staff, with media reports saying the coach told Fortis not to tell him what to do. "When we went to see the wicket ... they sent someone to tell us to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch, which was a little surprising," Kotak told a press conference. "It's a cricket wicket, there's a five-day test starting the day after, and we were wearing joggers. So it was a bit awkward. "We all know that curators are a little over-protective ... but at the end of the day it's a cricket pitch, not an antique that you can't touch." Fortis downplayed the incident when he spoke to a group of journalists. "There's nothing more to add ... we have nothing to hide here," he said. Surrey did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. Kotak said the India players and staff had taken care not to cause any damage to the playing surface during their practice session earlier on Tuesday. Heated verbal exchanges have added to the tension between the teams in a competitive series where India, who secured a draw in the fourth test, need a win at the Oval to end the tour on level terms. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Sailing-France's Bonafous becomes first woman skipper to win Fastnet in an IMOCA
(Reuters) -Elodie Bonafous carved out a slice of offshore racing history on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to win the IMOCA class in the Rolex Fastnet Race after a nail-biting duel that went down to the wire. The 29-year-old French sailor, skippering the freshly launched Association Petits Princes–Queguiner IMOCA with Vendee Globe veteran Yann Elies aboard, crossed the line in Cherbourg just seven minutes ahead of Jeremie Beyou's Charal after more than two days of racing in a record 444-strong fleet. Bonafous held her nerve through a tense final night of drifting conditions and tactical gambles that saw the lead change hands in dramatic fashion. After guiding her crew around Fastnet Rock at the front of the pack, she was briefly overhauled by rivals in the Channel. But the breakthrough moment came east of Guernsey, where Bonafous fought back to reclaim top spot in what turned into a gripping match race with Charal that came down to the final miles. 'We are very happy to be here,' Bonafous said, beaming upon her arrival. 'We are in good shape. It was tight at the end. It was a great victory." Sailing a boat launched only in February, Bonafous blended smarts, steel and speed to outfox some of the IMOCA fleet's biggest names and her victory marked a defining moment in the race's centenary edition, delivering a masterclass in timing and tenacity that will be remembered as a watershed moment for women in offshore sailing. Beyou was sanguine at settling for second place. 'When the wind is steady, I think we are quicker, but when it's light, we are stuck. But it was a lot of fun and it was never over until the finish," he said. "This was a very classic Fastnet race, upwind to the Rock and then the wind coming from behind on the way back. "It was nice to sail with a crew on the IMOCA and to race it at 100% so you could carry out all the strategic tacks and gybes you wanted. It's always intense in an IMOCA race, but a bit more like this.' The IMOCA class (International Monohull Open Class Association) is a fleet of cutting-edge, 60-foot offshore racing yachts designed for competition in some of the world's toughest ocean races. IMOCAs are characterised by their lightweight carbon construction, towering masts and distinctive 'Dali' foils that lift the hull partially out of the water to reduce drag. The biennial Fastnet Race traces a challenging 695-nautical miles course from Cowes on England's Isle of Wight around Ireland's famous Fastnet Rock before finishing in Cherbourg — a test that has challenged sailors' skill and endurance for a century. (Reporting by Ossian Shine; Editing by Ken Ferris)
