PUT OUT MORE FLAGS

(With apologies to Evelyn Waugh)

Today, for Italy, it's win or go home, just as it was for England and the USA yesterday. Four years ago Italy won the World Cup but even so, there were not as many flags out as are seen in other countries, England and Holland to name but two.

Even so, the country falls quite silent when a match is being played. For the final match four years ago there was no traffic on the valley road. When the match was won the road filled up and we could hear horns tooting all the way from Lucca. In the big cities, the tooting must have been deafening. It was a very novel experience being in a country that actually won the World Cup.

A kind of euphoria settled over the country. This lasted about two weeks and then it was if it never happened although, mind you, I am sure more was made of it in footie circles.

Italians never make excuses for their team and, in fact, if the team does not play well they are given a right rollicking by their fans. There is no hope that Italy will reach the finals this time, except by me who hopes always for miracles. I learned this from the English. :-)

The three flags here represent the countries in which I have lived and love dearly.

Late note: If they hadn't waited to the last 20 minutes to start playing they might have won. Oh, well, next time maybe.