The defeat to Sweden in their World Cup qualifying opener will not dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the Women’s National Team or the passion of the fans, who are ready to get behind Andrea Soncin’s side in another key step on the road to the next FIFA World Cup. The Azzurre, who returned to Coverciano overnight to begin preparations for Saturday’s match against Denmark (18:15 CET, live on Rai 2), will move from the warm reception in Reggio Calabria to the support of the crowd in Vicenza. 

“It was a celebration of sport,” the head coach said after the 1-0 defeat to the Scandinavians at the Granillo stadium. Result aside, his Italy side warmed the hearts of the 6,000 fans in the stands, won over by the passion shown on the pitch and by Baby K’s half-time performance. The artist had the crowd dancing to some of her biggest hits, including Roma-Bangkok, one of only three Italian singles to be certified diamond by FIMI – warming up a chilly evening in Calabria.

At the Menti, meanwhile, it will be Sarah Toscano’s turn. The singer, who like Soncin hails from Vigevano, will perform a selection of songs from her debut album Met Gala in what promises to be a special setting. Nearly 4,000 tickets have already been issued for the match against Denmark and more are expected to be sold in the three days leading up to kick-off. Tickets will remain on sale until 18:15 CET on Saturday through authorised Vivaticket outlets and online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com, with discounted rates available for Under-18s and Over-65s.

‘SFUMATURE DI AZZURRO’ EXHIBITION IN VICENZA.  Sarah Toscano’s appearance will not be the only highlight in Vicenza. After its stop in Reggio Calabria, where memorabilia were displayed at the National Archaeological Museum alongside the Riace Bronzes, Sfumature di Azzurro now moves to Veneto to accompany the Women’s National Team at their new match venue. The travelling exhibition from the Football Museum will open tomorrow at 10:00 CET in the Sala degli Zavatteri at the Basilica Palladiana and will remain open to the public until 8 March, with free entry from 10:00 to 18:00 CET. The event will be attended by Vicenza’s Councillor for Sport Leone Zilio and the Vice President of the Football Museum Enrico Demarchi, among others.

The exhibition explores the connection between football and culture, tracing the history of Italy’s men’s and women’s senior teams, as well as the youth sides and the Olympic team, through a selection of historic memorabilia from Coverciano. Alongside the trophies from the World Cups and European Championships won by the Azzurri, visitors can see items linked to past and present women’s stars — from the shirt worn by Barbara Bonansea at the 2019 World Cup to Carolina Morace’s jersey from the 1997 European Championship; from the kit of another Azzurre legend, Betty Vignotto (1982), to the boots of record-holder Patrizia Panico (204 caps and 110 goals). Also on display are the boots worn by Sara Gama at the 2019 World Cup and the shirt worn by Lisa Boattin when she helped Italy secure third place at the 2014 Under-17 World Cup in Costa Rica.