“I started to cry” when Girelli scored against Norway, reveals Salvai as Italy face England in Euro 2025 semi-final | OneFootball

Italy’s quarter-final win against Norway at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 was certainly an emotional moment for Cecilia Salvai.

The 31-year-old defender told reporters in a pre-match press conference that she “started to cry from the moment when [Cristiana Girelli] scored.”

“I’ve thought about my journey so far a lot. I feel very, very proud of my journey, but especially what this team is doing. By team,” she explained, “I do not mean only the players and the players who are here today, because it’s a journey that started a long time ago.”

Italy have been waiting for semi-final appearance for almost thirty years. They last reached this stage in 1997, when they made it to the final and fell to a 2-0 defeat against Germany.

“If on the pitch we show this football and achieve this goal,” Salvai continued, “it’s also thanks to them. The greatest feeling I have is strong pride for the team.”

But achieving that task certainly won’t be easy, as the Azzurre must face England in Geneva on Tuesday. Sarina Wiegman’s side won the tournament on home soil three years ago, and despite looking unconvincing at times, are still billed as the heavy favourites to progress.

Salvai thinks they’re beatable, though.

“I believe, as our coach said, that we have prepared 100% for this match in every detail like all the other matches. We’ll try and exploit all of our strengths and some of their weaknesses.”

Wiegman’s press conference took place an hour before Italy addressed the media at the Stade de Genève on Monday evening, and the Dutchwoman had played down England’s status as the favourites, warning of the dangers of complacency.

“If she believes in what she says, the statement is pleasant to us,” 31-year-old Salvai explained. “Of course she said it to remove some pressure – of course, they’re the champions and know how to manage everything. We like to hear this statement, we respect them and for sure we want to play our game.”

Italy’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final against England gets underway in Geneva on Tuesday, with kick-off at 20:00 BST [21:00 CEST].