
Italy is one win away from women's Euro final, 3 years after players were permitted to turn pro
Little wonder veteran captain Cristiana Girelli was in tears after her two goals inspired Italy to a 2-1 victory over Norway last week, and a first semifinal appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
The Azzurre next plays defending champion England on Tuesday in Geneva.
'It's a great joy to be among the top four in Europe and it is a happiness that we want to share because we know how important it is to bring home the results in Italy and especially for the new generations,' Girelli said, after again wiping the tears from her eyes.
'Because obviously we do this for our glory but there is a much deeper meaning, which we certainly want to bring, which is that in Italy women can play soccer too.'
Of course they can, although they couldn't hope to make a lot of money for it until 2022 after years of amateur-only status.
It was in April of that year that the executive board of the sport's national federation approved new regulations to open the way for a women's professional era starting July 1 — in time for the following Serie A season.
A 1981 Italian law had limited female players to amateur status, meaning they couldn't earn more than 30,000 euros ($32,000) per year before taxes.
Benefits such as social security contributions, an end-of-career fund, pension, medical protection for injuries and maternity leave were a distant dream.
'Difficult years'
The 35-year-old Girelli and many of her national teammates have experienced the change firsthand, with several of them having had to do hospitality jobs to support their soccer careers.
'There were difficult years where we really suffered a lot," Girelli said.
The push to make the women's game professional in Italy followed the national team's surprise run to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women's World Cup.
It was also helped by the big clubs — Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Lazio — starting to invest more in their women's teams.
Progress has been slower than in the countries of its traditional soccer rivals — such as England, France and Spain — but Italy is showing signs that it is catching up on the international stage.
'Something magical'
Under coach Andrea Soncin, Italy is proving it can go toe-to-toe with the top teams, culminating in its first semifinal match at the European tournament since a run to the 1997 final.
'It's something magical,' Girelli said. 'But to tell you the truth I have felt something special in the air since I arrived in Switzerland, since the coach took charge of this team I felt something special.
'And you know, women are never wrong with their feelings,' she continued with a wry smile.
While it hasn't quite reached fever pitch back home, 2.4 million television viewers in Italy — a 16.2% audience share — watched the team's match against Norway and that's likely to be even more for the semifinals.
'We hope this love, this affection, this atmosphere that's coming to us from Italy doesn't disappear,' Girelli said. 'I really hope that with all my heart because we struggled to get here.
'We've reached something amazing, something extraordinary, and however it goes, I really hope it continues to feed this passion, this love for us.'
___
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United will not let players go cheaply
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insists the club will not sell unwanted players on the cheap and he is prepared to welcome them back into the fold if necessary. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were left out of the tour of the United States – Marcus Rashford subsequently went on loan to Barcelona – and the so-called 'bomb squad' have been training at the club's Carrington complex. United's transfer dealings have been widely criticised in recent seasons and Amorim said chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox would not be taken advantage of just to get rid of those surplus to requirements. 'Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams,' Amorim told a press conference ahead of the the Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham on Saturday. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players. 'I know for a fact that these people, Omar and Jason, and the club have a number (price) for these players. If they don't reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that. 'I understand clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise and I'm ready. I'm ready to receive the players. 'They have more competition – if you want to play in the World Cup you need to play, so I'm really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it is perfect.' United have spent about £130million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon but are still in the market for a defensive midfielder and a striker. However, previous mis-steps on transfers mean United are being more circumspect this summer. 'At the moment, our club needs to be really careful when we sign a player,' added Amorim. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy because all the players that are here want to be here – and that for me is the most important thing.'


Scottish Sun
8 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Kilmarnock star ‘flies out for medical' to become latest player to swap Scottish Premiership for Serie A
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITALY's top flight looks set to recruit another Scottish Premiership star. The likes of Lewis Ferguson, Aaron Hickey, Josh Doig and Liam Henderson have all left Scotland and played in Serie A in recent years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Lewis Ferguson won the Coppa Italia with Bologna this year Credit: Alamy 3 Josh Doig won promotion to Serie A with Sassuolo last season Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Scotland national team stars Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour joined them last season and would go on to win the Scudetto with Napoli. Now according to several reports in Italy, Kilmarnock defender Corrie Ndaba is due to fly out for a medical before completing a transfer to Lecce. The left-back, 25, has two years remaining on his deal at Rugby Park so the Ayrshire club will bank a nice fee for the player if the move follows through as expected. Ndaba joined Kilmarnock last year from Ipswich Town, having previously spent time on loan there. A Republic of Ireland youth international, Ndaba came through the Ipswich youth ranks but never played a competitive league match for the Tractor Boys. He instead had several loans spells, including one at Killie's local rivals, Ayr United. According to Sky Italy, Ndaba will sign a three-year deal with the option of extending for a further two. Ndaba made 38 appearances in all competitions for Killie last season as a key member of the squad under Derek McInnes. He became a fan favourite the year before during his initial loan stint. Ndaba scored once and provided one assist from left-back in the 2024-25 campaign. Rodgers' message to Celtic board, striker woes & huge Champions League risk He had similar stats the previous season, with a single goal and assists across 37 total games. As well as left-back, Ndaba can also play at centre-back or on the left of midfield. Lecce finished three points clear of the drop zone last term and new boss Eusebio Di Francesco has been keen to strengthen his defence. The team conceded 58 goals in 38 league matches. Based in the south of Italy, Lecce currently have former Rangers midfielder Lassana Coulibaly and ex-Aberdeen star Ylber Ramadani on their books. 3 Corrie Ndaba evades Tony Watt of Motherwell when in action for Kilmarnock Credit: Roddy Scott Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Daily Mirror
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Alexander Isak's dream Liverpool shirt number depends on £43m transfer after Arne Slot snub
Alexander Isak has donned the No 14 at Newcastle and is considering a move away but that number is occupied at Liverpool - unless the pieces fall into place for it to become vacant Alexander Isak is being heavily linked with a summer switch to Liverpool but the Newcastle star currently wouldn't be able to take the No 14 shirt given it is already occupied - at least for now. Federico Chiesa was the only signing Arne Slot made last summer, albeit the Italian has struggled to make an impact at Anfield and has been left out of their pre-season tour. He was a £10million signing from Juventus but could now make a return to Italy. Atalanta are keen on the Italian, which would free up the No 14 for Isak if he did make the move to Liverpool. However the Serie A side first need to sell Ademola Lookman to Inter Milan before they can complete a deal for Chiesa, according to reports. There has been speculation that the Reds flop could return to his native Italy for months and Atalanta are ready to save the 27-year-old from his torrid spell in England. The Bergamo outfit are ready to make a move for Chiesa according to Football Italia, but only once they have confirmed Lookman's exit. Inter want to add the Englishman, who scored 20 goals, as they rebuild their team in the aftermath of Simone Inzaghi's exit. Atalanta are demanding at least £43m before they let the winger seek pastures new. If that move does not materialise then Isak may have to eye up the No 9, which is currently held by Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has seen a potential route to an exit blocked after Napoli pulled out of a deal, but he is expected to bring an end to his three seasons on Merseyside - two of which have been in the No 9 shirt - in the coming weeks. The Newcastle ace has spent the last three years at St James' Park and just enjoyed his best season to date. He enjoyed a run of games where he scored in eight games on the bounce, one of which was against Liverpool. He has three years to run on his contract at Newcastle but has told the club he wants to explore a move away from the club, which has put the Reds on alert. Hugo Ekitike recently joined from Frankfurt but Slot is still weighing up whether to pursue the Swedish star. Newcastle are yet to lose one of their key figures since their Saudi owners came aboard, but their ambitions could now be hit if Isak does push for the exit door. Skipper Bruno Guimaraes admitted the player was going through "some rough things" but insisted he hoped the player would return for the club ahead of the new Premier League season.