EU Commission President wants Italy to win Euro 2020

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union chief executive Ursula von der Leyen is rooting for Italy to beat England on Sunday in the Euro 2020 soccer final, a European Commission spokesperson said on Friday.

“Her heart is with the Squadra Azzurra, so she will be supporting Italy on Sunday,” the spokesperson told a regular Commission briefing when asked by reporters who von der Leyen, a German national, was backing in the final at Wembley.

Commission officials who oversee the working of the 27-nation bloc usually avoid taking national positions, but Britain’s departure from the EU made von der Leyen’s allegiance to founding EU member Italy inevitable. 

(Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Ken Ferris)