We have the weapons to beat England, says Italy's Soncin
Soncin and his squad have spoken of their big dreams at this tournament and how overcoming adversity has brought them closer together, and they are confident they can beat Sarina Wiegman's side and secure a first appearance in the final since 1997.
"We have done very well in this event. There is a lot of courage, awareness and serenity. That is what has accompanied us throughout the whole event," Soncin told reporters on Monday.
"We are convinced that we have the weapons to win the game, and we have the utmost respect for the quality of the English players and their international experience."
England survived a heart-stopping penalty shootout that saw only five of 14 spot-kicks scored as they beat Sweden 3-2 in their quarter-final, and Soncin said that it was virtually impossible to replicate the pressure of a shootout in training.
"I don't believe that there is a specific way to train the penalties in a training session because there is the emotional aspect and also the physical aspect that come into play, but especially the emotional aspect which is not the same during a training session," he explained.
"Of course we, like everybody, we try to ... also train penalties so that we're ready for everything, our objective is to reach the final."
Soncin and Italy defender Cecilia Salvai, who also attended the media conference, offered their support to England's Jess Carter, who has withdrawn from social media due to the racial abuse she has received during the tournament.
"It is a cultural campaign (against racism), a cultural battle we have to fight all together. I don't know whether taking the knee is enough to change this, but for sure there is maximum solidarity from our side, we are ready to take part in any campaign to avoid this abuse," Soncin said.
"I hope she can play this game 100 per cent because this is a semi-final, so I hope she can try to detach a bit from this episode. Of course, she's not the first one who's been victim of this abuse and we have the greatest solidarity for her," Salvai added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
'A new chapter': Former world champion Lizzie Deignan announces retirement from cycling due to pregnancy
Photo: INTERNATIONAL: Britain's former world champion Lizzie Deignan has recently announced her retirement due to the coming of her third child. The 36-year-old athlete, one of the leading and well-known figures in British women's road cycling, had initially intended to complete the current season, but changes needed to happen. Back then, Deignan paused her career twice for childbirth—in 2018 for her daughter Orla and in 2022 for her son Shea. Now, she is set to retire and focus on other aspects of her life. With her retirement, she said: 'I have this life outside of cycling that gives me so much fulfillment and so much love… Often people say, 'Retire on the top,' but I have no ego or necessity to retire at the top. I'm really happy to go full circle and to have ended my career as somebody that helps other people win bike races again.' On social media, the athlete shared the pregnancy to her fans with a caption: 'A new chapter in the Deignan story ❤️.' In another social media post, the UCI remarked: 'An icon of women's cycling retires. 🚴♀️ @l_deignan 🇬🇧 has announced she's expecting her third child, marking her immediate retirement from professional cycling. The 2015 UCI Road World Champion and one of Britain's most decorated and influential riders leaves an incredible mark on the sport. Congrats, Lizzie! 🙌' Netizens expressed their congratulations in the comments section by saying: 'A legend, will miss watching, congratulations on a mega career,' 'An exceptional rider .. champion and sportsman!!.. Congratulations Lizzie!👶🏼,' and 'Congratulations Lizzie ❤️ and thank you 👏.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by UCI (@uci_cycling) Lizzie Deignan's athletic career In her sporting career, Deignan won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Furthermore, her greatest achievement was at the 2015 World Championships, where she won the women's road race by out-sprinting Dutch cyclist Anna van der Breggen to claim the gold medal. She is also an advocate for gender equality in professional cycling, where women's races have historically received less attention than men's. With this news, Deignan told Cycling Weekly: 'I feel like I've carried the torch for quite a long time now, and it's really cool that there is now a group of women ready to take over.' Deignan has achieved 43 professional victories, including winning the first women's Paris-Roubaix in 2021, and other significant races like Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Strade Bianche, and the Tour of Flanders. Notably, her last win was in a team time trial at the start of La Vuelta Femenina in Spain. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
England seek revenge against Spain as rivals meet in Euro 2025 final
England coach Sarina Wiegman talks to her players before extra time in their semi-final clash against Italy. BASEL – England are aiming to retain their title and avenge defeat by Aitana Bonmati's Spain in the Women's World Cup final two years ago, when the rivals meet again on July 27 to decide who will win Euro 2025. The showdown in Basel promises to be a fascinating contest between a Spain side looking to add the continental crown to their world title, and an England team who can secure back-to-back European Championship victories. Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney to win the World Cup for the first time, and another victory for La Roja in their latest clash would cement their status as the dominant force in women's international football. 'We have so much respect for them, but we also believe in ourselves, that we can really step up,' said England's Ella Toone on July 25. Toone, 25, scored the first goal for the Lionesses when they beat Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the last Women's Euros three years ago, and has played a key role in Switzerland on their run to a third straight major tournament final. 'It is amazing. To make three consecutive finals for England is something that we can all be so proud of,' she said at the team's base in Zurich. That remarkable run has come under the management of Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who took charge in 2021 and immediately turned them into contenders. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture Sport Mikkel Lee gets back up to speed as Singapore swimmers eye 2028 Olympics spots Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Asia Hottest 'ticket' in Jakarta? Young Indonesians compete for a slot at this novel club Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly 'She is a great manager, someone we all have a lot of belief in and we know we are in good hands,' added Toone of Wiegman, who also won the Euros with her native Netherlands in 2017. It has not been an easy road to the final for England this time, with the Lionesses coming back from the brink of elimination more than once. Their title defence started with a 2-1 defeat by France in their opening group game three weeks ago. They recovered to reach the knockout stages, but then required a remarkable comeback from two goals down to eventually beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals. They then trailed to Italy in the semi-finals until a 96th-minute goal by Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, and Chloe Kelly scored the winner just as another shoot-out loomed. 'The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special,' said Kelly. But it remains to be seen if that resilience will be enough against a brilliant Spain side led by reigning Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati. The Barcelona midfielder scored the extra-time winner as Spain edged Germany in the last four to reach a first-ever European Championship final. 'All the hard work we have put in has paid off,' said coach Montse Tome. Spain could have as many as seven starters who featured in that game in Sydney, including Alexia Putellas – she was only a bit-part player at the World Cup as she recovered from a knee injury, but Bonmati's predecessor as Ballon d'Or winner has been much more influential here. The theme of revenge could also apply to the Spaniards, who were knocked out of the last Euros by England, going down in extra time in the quarter-finals. If they come out on top they will be the first nation to win the Women's World Cup and Euros back-to-back since Germany in 2007 and 2009. AFP
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Argentine De Paul joins Inter Miami from Atletico
Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has left Atletico Madrid and will join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, the LaLiga club announced Friday. "Rodrigo de Paul bids farewell to Atletico Madrid and will continue his professional career at Inter Miami," the club said in a statement. De Paul will join his compatriot and friend Lionel Messi, with whom he has won two Copa America titles, a Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup. The 31-year-old made nearly 200 appearances in four seasons under fellow Argentine coach Diego Simeone but leaves the Spanish capital without silverware. De Paul made his debut for Argentine club Racing Club in 2012 and has also played for Valencia and Serie A side Udinese.
