From the streets of Dortmund to the stadium it is a red river ahead of Italy and Albania’s first match at the European Football Championships in Germany. From the early hours of the afternoon, the celebration of the Eagles fans began as they invaded the streets of the German city waving flags of all types and sizes. There are many Albanian cars in circulation ‘dressed up’ to the nines, with loud music and intermittent horns. Festive atmosphere, even if evidently someone wanted to ruin it: the German police in fact stopped around fifty Italians, before they managed to come into contact with the Albanians near a restaurant. They were found in possession of knives, balaclavas and paper bombs. They will spend the next 24 hours in cell, waiting for the German magistrate to decide on them.
In any case, the Azzurri fans seem to be in a clear minority: they should not exceed 20,000 units in the stands of the Bvb Stadion against at least 40,000 Albanian presences.
The Albanian party was a full-blown party before the match and saw a bit of sarcasm from the Azzurri fans: “they’re already partying, it seems like we’ve already won but tonight – jokes Antonio, from Brindisi but who has been working in Germany for years – we hope to throw the party for him.”
Italian fans in Dortmund and also in Italy’s next matches at the European Championship who will have “Punto Italia” at their disposal, a mobile consulate with an unprecedented collaboration between the Italian embassy in Berlin and the State Police to provide even faster and more efficient consular assistance to all Italian citizens who will follow Spalletti’s national team. “A way to bring services close to the fans – explains the Italian ambassador in Berlin, Armando Varricchio – which can not only solve problems but also, with this visibility, reassure everyone, so that the fans see that the Italian institutions are present and there we are. A way to encourage everyone to experience this evening as a real party.
Let’s bring the consulate to the streets, to the streets.”
Varricchio talks about the match and the early celebration of the Albanian fans: “for them it is an absolute first, Albania’s first match at the European Football Championships, which is why it is certainly a historic moment for their country. Tonight Prime Minister Edi will also be there Rama and therefore I will be very pleased to bring greetings from Prime Minister Meloni; then we will have an important delegation from the Italian government with the Minister of Sport and Agriculture and various other personalities present here.
Feelings about the match? I have to say that we are all very happy. Compared to our Albanian friends, we have a habit and a tradition and then we are the holders of the title, so it is right to have the awareness of being strong.”
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
