If you thought the atmosphere for Ireland’s Euro 2016 games against Sweden and Belgium was good, you’ve not seen/heard nothing yet.
Ireland take on Italy in Lilles this evening [8pm Irish, 9pm local] and a win is the only option for Martin O’Neill’s men.
There was some confusion, on Tuesday, about whether or not Uefa would give the go-ahead to closing the roof for the match. Conditions underfoot are ropey, to say the least, and the inclement weather in the region would not help matters.
And so it goes that Ireland will now play Italy under a closed roof [is there any other kind?].
BREAKING: We can confirm that the roof in Lille will remain closed for #ITAIRL. An incredible atmosphere awaits! pic.twitter.com/sswzTGTJxt
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 22, 2016
Thousands of Irish fans are already in Lille and will pile into the stadium for the evening kick-off. The travelling support has already earned praise from locals, opposition fans, journalists and the Irish team.
Renditions of Amhrán na bhFiann have been rousing and have spurred the players on no end.
As a sample of what tonight’s atmosphere could be like, Ireland’s rugby players took on Italy in an enclosed stadium – Dundein’s ‘Glasshouse’ – at the 2011 World Cup. Many of the Irish lads that featured in that victorious game have described the atmosphere as the best they ever played in.
Let’s be having ya.
