EURO 2020/1 COUNTRY BY COUNTRY-eventually

I make no bones about this but it's Euro 2020 (2021) and the next few days' blogs will be about the nations involved. England are getting thumped in cricket, by a country of under 5 million, so to restore my sanity and nation al pride, Euro 2020 is the biggest tournament since Covid struck. Today the tournament is opened by a match between Turkey and Italy, in Rome. Turkey gets put first probably because they came out of the hat first. UEFA can't hide the fact that it's the Italians' home patch.

As you know venues are sprinkled around Europe from Baku to Seville. This game kicks off at 8pm (our time). The Azzurri gave 12 points to Albania in the Eurovision "Song" Contest and none to Turkey, so there may be repercussion. The best fact from Italy is that it took 482 years to translate Dante's "Divine Comedy" into English.There must have been a few laughs when that was going on. 

Roberto Mancini has been the Azurri manager since 2018 and are full of victories in Euro and the World Cup. Best line from the national anthem? "Scipio's helmet, she has placed it on her head".  Best in Euro? Champions it 1968. Semi-final 1988. If they were an English club side? Everton-glorious past.

Why Azzuri...? Gli Azzurri...The Blues, wearing shirts and socks of "Savoy Blue", the national colour. Italian FA founded in 1898. Current FIFA ranking ..7th.

Best fact from Turkey? The national team is known as The Crescent Stars.  Do you know that 74% of the world's hazelnuts are grown in Turkey. The Turks gave Bosnia and Herz 12 points in Eurovision and France null. Best in Euro; semi-final in 2008. A line from their national anthem; "Please smile upon my heroic nation, why that anger, why that rage? Dark horse? Ranked in FIFA 29th.

If they were an English club? Luton Town-golden past...remember The Hatters? on the up?  As you can see in the badge-the FA was founded in 1923.

Recent results between the nations show overall: Italy won 8, Lost 3, Drawn 2. (In December 1962, the first meeting, Italy won 6-0). The last two meetings have been drawn 1-1, including the last meeting in 2006. Turkey definitely better now.