Last night in Gelsenkirchen was not the evening that Italians were expecting. Italy lost 1-0 to Spain in their second Group B game at EURO 2024 with millions watching on TV. 12,300,000 people watched on Rai 1 (57.9% viewing share) and 1,056,000 watched on Sky Sports (5% viewing share) for a total of almost 13.4 million viewers and a 62.9% viewing share.

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 20: Fans at the official UEFA Fan Zone Nordsternpark during the Group B match between Spain and Italy on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Vera Loitzsch - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 20: Fans at the official UEFA Fan Zone Nordsternpark during the Group B match between Spain and Italy on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Vera Loitzsch - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 20: Fans at the official UEFA Fan Zone Nordsternpark during the Group B match between Spain and Italy on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Vera Loitzsch - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Despite the defeat, there was great enthusiasm and sold-out screenings at Casa Azzurri Germany in Iserlohn and at Casa Azzurri inside the SenStation Summer Village in the Piazza Duca d’Aosta in Milan. Over 1,000 people visited the areas set up by the FIGC to unite the Azzurri passion, still intact despite losing to Spain. On Monday in Leipzig, we play Croatia for a spot in the round of 16.