Nicholas Farrell Nicholas Farrell

England, Italy and the power of national pride

(Photo: Getty)

As an Englishman in enemy territory I am lucky that love is a more powerful emotion than patriotism otherwise after a month of Euro 2020, climaxing in tonight’s final between Italy and England, my marriage to my Italian wife, Carla, would be well and truly on the rocks – even though she is a devout Catholic.

Carla is so fiercely pro gli azzurri that it is a case of ‘o con noi, o contro di noi’ (either with us or against us) – the clarion call of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Every time the Italians have scored a goal this past month my very fiery wife has exploded from the mega sofa in front of the wide-screen TV we got from a bar roaring ‘Si!’ and ‘Grande!’ and ‘Che uomo!’ (what a man!) as have our six children aged five to 17.

Victory for Italy in a match has had all seven of them ranting and raving and leaping up and down and hugging and kissing as if they had not seen each other for years, before launching into a boisterous parade round the house and out into the garden led by Carla doing the conga.

Though pleased (officially) for Italy I have been quite unable to experience the same emotions as Carla and the children. I have remained largely seated partly because of my stiff upper lip upbringing, I suppose, but mainly, I am sure, because I am not Italian.

Carla sees this as proof that I am supporting Italy’s opponents in secret. ‘Look at papà’ she squawks when Italy have conceded a goal or missed a penalty. ‘Sta sorridendo sotto i baffi, suino!’ (He’s smirking under his moustaches, the swine!)

To be fair, when England have played, my dutiful wife has genuinely supported the Three Lions with her mind if not her heart (well, she has as far as I can tell).

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in