It was the dreaded penalty shootout that once again broke hearts of England football fans who helped to pack out venues across the UAE showing the Euro 2020 final on Sunday night.
The gleaming Henry Delaunay trophy will be going to Rome – rather than "coming home" to England – after Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma denied both Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka the shootout.
Social distancing meant many fans hoping to catch the game on a big screen had to plan their night out, with hotels and bars taking advance bookings for tables.
“It was a brilliant start and the cheer that went up when England scored was huge"
Jules Sattanathan,
England fan
The Radisson Hotel in Dubai's Damac Hills had a temporary air-conditioned tent housing two giant screens, which was fully booked by mostly England fans hoping to enjoy a first tournament win since 1966.
However, they were left disappointed once again after Donnarumma's heroics meant another heartbreaking end to a major tournament for England.
“It felt like Italy were there for the taking but England were just a bit too cautious,” said England fan Joe Kimble who watched the game with friends.
“To get to a first final in more than 50 years was an achievement and the late kick-off was always going to make it a tough watch but I had to see the game out.
“Losing on penalties is hard to take but Italy are a good side.
“Seeing so many fans out watching the game so late shows how this England team has captured the imagination. I’m sure there is more to come from them.”
Italy dominated much of the possession and fired in 20 shots on goal to just six from England.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane put in a subdued performance in front of goal, as England struggled to create meaningful chances.
Italy, who had won the World Cup on spot kicks in 2006, held their nerve again to win their first European Championship since 1968.
It has been quite a turnaround for Italy after they failed to qualify for the World Cup held in Russia in 2018.
Italy fan Paolo Nazzari watched the game with fellow Italian supporters at Lounge Café Italiano in Dubai’s Media City.
He said Sunday night’s result had a special meaning for Italians all over the world.
“Italy was one of the countries with the highest level of people that passed away from Covid-19,” he said.
“The victory was a much needed source of joy and relief.
“Being able to watch the game with other Italians in Dubai was also special as more than 90 per cent of Italians haven’t been able to get home since the pandemic, so this brought us together.”
Mr Nazzari, who works as a business development manager for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, said the evening was not without tension as his beloved Italy edged out England at Wembley Stadium.
“It was a test of character for the Italian players and their spirit came through in the hardest moments,” said the 29-year-old.
England must now brush aside their disappointment and set their sights on qualification for Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar, which resumes on September 2 against Hungary.
“England maybe scored a bit too early but as soon as it went to extra time it felt like penalties were inevitable,” said Jules Sattanathan, 22, a business student who bagged his seat well in advance of Sunday’s 11pm kick-off.
“There was a great atmosphere and it was getting quite tense in extra time.
“It was a brilliant start and the cheer that went up when England scored was huge.
“England has a young team so I’m sure they will come again and the way they have played will stoke a lot of interest in the World Cup next year I’m sure.”
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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