CARLO Villani spoke for thousands of Italian supporters on the Border on Monday when he summed up the nation's thrilling victory over England in the European Championship final.
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"We are far away from Italy but we still have the blood," the beaming Albury-Wodonga Football Association stalwart said just hours after the 3-2 win at Wembley.
"It was very, very good.
"If you go to Carlton or anywhere, it's a party today and tomorrow."
There were small gatherings across the Border and North East on Monday to watch Italy's first European Championship success since 1968.
Myrtleford's 3000-strong population was particularly buoyant with one in seven of Italian descent.
One AWFA official said there had been tears of joy in the township.
Villani wasn't surprised by the penalty shootout victory.
"The team is very balanced with its backline and has unbelievable strikers," he said.
"We wait for the World Cup now."
Thousands of Melbourne fans flocked to Lygon Street to watch the match with five people arrested.
