North Essex ready for England v Italy Euro 2020 final

But for some households across north Essex there is a divide. 

We've spoken to families across the area who have connections to both England and Italy to see who their allegiance belongs to. 

Lucia Campanella will be smiling and cheering whatever the outcome of Sunday’s European Championship final.

The proud Italian admits having split loyalties as she has spent much of her life living in England.

Lucia’s family moved to Essex when she was 18 months old, in 1957.

She then moved back to her native country in 2000 and spent 16 years working as an English teacher near Trieste, during a period in which she experienced Italy winning the 2006 World Cup.

Travel agent Lucia is now back in north Essex and lives with husband Steve Race, 64, in Harwich.

“If I’m completely honest, I feel more English than Italian,” said the 65-year-old.

“But I support and love both teams, so guess I’ll be smiling whatever the outcome.

“Part of me will be happy whoever wins and I put something on Facebook on Wednesday night saying ‘it’s coming home either way’.

“It’s going to be a great final between two very good teams.

“The best sides in the tournament have got through to the final and it’s going to be a special occasion.”

Michelle Loriga and Italian hubby Luca are also a divided household.

Michelle, 46, will be cheering for Harry Kane and Co while 49-year-old Luca, an electrician from Sardinia, will naturally be backing the Azzurri.

“It’s going to be interesting, to say the least,” said hairdresser Michelle.

“Luca’s a very passionate Italian and we were at Wembley together to watch their semifinal against Spain on Tuesday.

“Then the next night we sat and watched England’s game against Denmark on TV.

“Luca’s been a bit quiet ever since. I think he’s scared about what’s going to happen on Sunday!”

Michelle, of St John’s Road, Colchester, also has an Italian stepdad, Andrew Gandolfi.

“I’m not normally a big football fan,” she said.

“I can take it or leave it but always get behind England when it comes to the World Cup and European Championships.

Read more >> Michelle and hubby Luca will be firmly in rival footie camps for Euro final

“They’ve done really well to get this far and it’s created a brilliant atmosphere.

“It’s been a real tonic after everything we’ve all been through during lockdown.”

Michelle is not the only family member flying the flag for England on Sunday.

Daughter Olivia, 13, will also be cheering for Gareth Southgate’s side and she was at Wembley with Michelle and Luca for the Italy-Spain semi-final.

Footy fan Dan Ferretti says his house will be split down the middle when England face Italy in the European Championship final on Sunday.

The 47-year-old and children Gianluca, 15, and Sophia, 11, will be rooting for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.

However, the blue corner will be passionately represented by Italian dad Lino, 73, and brother Adam, 39.

Dan admits he has been fearing this scenario and expects emotions to run high.

He said: “I’ve been dreading this ever since the end of the group games.

“Both teams were playing well and given that they were on the same side of the draw, I knew they could meet in the final.

“I’m proud of my heritage and have been rooting for Italy throughout the tournament, wearing my blue top and hanging up an Italian flag.

“But it’s different now they’re playing England.

“In many ways, I’m dreading it and it’s sapped a lot of the joy out of it, if I’m honest.

“I’ve watched England for 40 years and at any other time I’d be going berserk about the prospect of reaching a European Championship final. I just wish it wasn’t against Italy.

“It should be a huge thing for me but it’s been tempered, to some extent. Either way, there will be some very happy and some very sad people on Sunday night.

“It’ll all be very good-natured, though.”

Dan and partner Belinda, 47, are playing host for Sunday’s final and says he will be hanging up a huge St George’s Day flag at his home in Wheatfield Road, Stanway.

He says the weirdest part of the night will be supporting a different team to brother Adam, who lives in Stanway.

“We both support Manchester United and 99 times out of 100 we’re cheering for the same team,” said the director at Target Fuels and Machinery Ltd.

“I’ve supported both teams all the way through the tournament, watching with my dad and brother.

“Now we’re watching it together again on Sunday with those two supporting Italy and me rooting for England.

Read more >> Footie-mad Dan is going head to head with his dad and brother during Euro final

“To be on opposite sides is very weird and surreal. It’s drained a Footie-mad Dan is going head to head with his dad and brother lot of the joy out of it for me.

“My dad has been here since he was 16 and I’m very proud to be half-Italian, but I’ve always supported England.

“It’s just the way I feel - a gut instinct, rather than a conscious decision I’ve made.

“You can’t support a team under false pretences.

“Adam, on the other hand, has always felt a stronger affinity to Italy.

“He bought a house out there 

last year and would move there tomorrow if he could.

“Mum (Sandi), on the other hand, will be sitting on the fence.

She’s English but has been married to an Italian for over 50 years, so will just enjoy the game for what it is.”

Lino and Sandi live on Mersea Island and the family will also be joined by Dan’s sister, Krissie. He has another brother, Davide, who is not a football fan and lives in London.

Former village postmaster Giancarlo Guglielmi is predicting an extra-time winner for the Azzurri.

England will be taking on Italy at Wembley on Sunday following the Three Lions’ historic 2-1 victory over Denmark on Wednesday night.

Manningtree councillor Mr Guglielmi, who is also Tendring Council’s deputy leader, moved to England from Puglia in Italy in 1973.

“I still have my Italy flag from when we last won the World Cup,” he said. “It will be displayed outside again on Sunday.

“It’s great for me to have a foot in both camps.

Read more >> Carlo predicts an extra-time winner for Italy against England

“I will be watching it in Lawford with my son and daughter - it will be interesting to see who they will be supporting. I imagine they’ll feel the same as me.

“Every single person I’ve bumped into in the village has wanted to talk about the final.

“The Italians take their football very seriously - it would have been non-stop celebrations between the matches.”

Carlo predicts an Italian win, but isn’t keen for the match to go to penalties.