IS football coming home - or going to Rome?
That’s the burning question on the lips of Michelle Loriga and Italian hubby Luca. The pair will be in rival camps for Sunday’s European Championship final at Wembley.
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 semi-final 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.
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“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.
“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.
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