For almost a year and a half, the corona pandemic has had its grip on the world and Italy is among the worst affected.
Of the EU countries, Italy is the country with the highest number of deaths in covid-19, 126,046, and the country has been shut down to varying degrees during large parts of the pandemic.
But after months of crisis, it is now time for Italy to revive.
On Friday night, the summer's big football party begins and it does so in Italy.
The premiere match of the European Championship between Italy and Turkey is played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
And there is football fever.
- It's a fantastic atmosphere.
Finally it will be football again.
It also feels great when you have this difficult, difficult time in mind.
There is talk of football, it is football on television.
You see big screens and European Championship flags.
There is great expectation, says Jennifer Wegerup, Italian correspondent at SVT.
"So much sadness"
Italian authorities have approved to take in about 18,000 people in the audience, which is 25 percent of the capacity.
A long-awaited step to get back to a normal life.
- It has been such a difficult time and so much misery, so much grief.
Finally you can think of something other than covid.
There is something to look forward to.
People are allowed to gather, albeit with a certain amount of caution and restrictions.
But it means a lot, says Wegerup.
On Thursday night, the championship was blessed by Pope Francis in connection with his meeting with UEFA President Alexander Ceferin.
Kick-off in the premiere match is 21.00.
This is how SVT broadcasts from the European Football Championship 2021