Cesare Prandelli celebrated Italy's progression to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals in unusual fashion – with a 20km trek to a monastery in the middle of the night!
Cesare Prandelli celebrated Italy's progression to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals in unusual fashion – with a 20km trek to a monastery in the middle of the night!
With the Azzurri players tucked up in bed after their 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Poznan, Prandelli, his entire coaching staff and FIGC Vice-President Demetrio Albertini set off from Italy's Wieliczka base at 3am on Tuesday morning. Their destination was the Camaldolese Priory.
The Camaldolese are a 1,000-year-old order of Benedictine monks originally established by an Italian, but located all over the world.
Upon Prandelli’s arrival in Krakow, the Coach had given his word to the monks that he would travel to their monastery by foot if his side made it out of Group C.
After three and a half hours Prandelli's party arrived and, having been given a warm reception, made the wise decision to return by car – arriving back at the Turowka Hotel at 7.15am.
Prandelli's Italy will meet England in the quarter-finals next Sunday in Kiev.