Domenico Berardi and Manuel Locatelli of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Reuters
Alessandro Bastoni of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Manuel Locatelli of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Jorginho of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Ciro Immobile of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Giorgio Chiellini of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Francesco Acerbi of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Lorenzo Insigne and Gaetano Castrovilli of Italy in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. Getty
Italy coach Roberto Mancini speaks to his team. Getty
Italy's coach Roberto Mancini talks to his players. Reuters
Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in action during a training session ahead of the Euro 2020 kick-off against Turkey at Olimpico Stadium. AP
taly chief delegate Gianluca Vialli during training. Reuters
Italy's Giovanni Di Lorenzo, top left, Manuel Locatelli, second right, and Giacomo Raspadori, right, joke with teammate Lorenzo Insigne during training. AP
Coach Roberto Mancini wants his Italy side to lift the mood of a nation in the opening game of Euro 2020.
The Azzurri face Turkey at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday night in the tournament’s first match, and Mancini believes it's an opportunity to boost spirits after more than a year of the pandemic.
The Italian squad enjoyed their final training session on Thursday ahead of the tournament start, and they enter the Euros on the back of a 27-match unbeaten run.
"I think after everything we have gone through, now is the time to try and put a smile back on faces,” said Mancini.
"That will be our aim over the next month, we want people to enjoy themselves and have fun. I think it will be a wonderful time for everyone over 90 minutes, we will give it everything.
"The opening match is the hardest one, above all at the start of the tournament. We have to be free and try to have fun, that should be the aim.”
Mancini has transformed the team since their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and now has his sights on at least a place in the last four at Wembley.
"We have worked very well, we have excellent players and have forged a great team spirit," he added.
"We have been working together for a long while and have enjoyed ourselves and want to go on enjoying ourselves. Come the end of the tournament we would love to make it to London."
Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini was playing when they drew 0-0 with Sweden in November 2017 to seal a 1-0 aggregate loss in their World Cup playoff.
"We are very keen to bounce back and play a starring role in a major competition,” Chiellini said.
"That defeat to Sweden at San Siro is still with us and we can’t erase that, but we have been able to transform that disappointment into enthusiasm and a desire to do well.
"That feeling is not just in us but with all the national team fans. You wouldn’t believe how many friends and family are galvanised by the national team, waiting for this game that has been missing for five years. We are aware of that and can’t wait to get out there and experience those emotions."
Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and his coach Senol Gunes said they hoped to progress from Group A with the Italians and face them again in the final.
Calhanoglu, who plays for AC Milan, said all the Turkey players were excited about playing in the tournament's opening game.
"It's a special match for all of us but especially for me because I will be playing against my teammates. We have been looking forward to this game for a long time and we hope to get at least one point," he said.
Gunes echoed Calhanoglu's wish, saying: "It will be a source of pride for us to beat Italy in the first game. We are not one of the favourites of the tournament as we arrive here but we would love to become a favourite.
"I would love to reach the final and play it against Italy."
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Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
