EMOTIONS at the Oxford Mail are running high ahead of the European Championship final on Sunday evening, when England's national team will face Italy at Wembley Stadium.

Players have 'one more massive hurdle to conquer' to be crowned champions according to England manager Gareth Southgate and predictions about how the game will proceed – including who will score the first goal – are flooding in.

We asked all Oxford Mail editorial staff if football is indeed coming home or if it will be heading to Rome instead, and this is what they predicted:

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Editor Pete Gavan kicked off with a 2-1 win for England, with a number of nerve-wracking moments up until the last minute.

He said: "I do not think it is going to be an easy game and Italy have looked good but I think with the Wembley crowd, the team in improving form and momentum, England will win." 

Audience and content editor Tim Hughes pointed out that Italy has only won the title once – back in 1968, so the team are 'far from a shoe-in'.
He said: "This is going to be an uphill struggle and a major step-up in terms of quality of opposition.

"We can win this if we hit the ground running from the start, but with two strong sides with everything to play for, it is going to be tense with the potential to be ill-mannered and dramatic; watch out for some operatic diving from the Italians."

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He predicted that England will squeeze out a win, with Harry Kane scoring the only goal of the match.

Senior sports reporter James Roberts, however, said that England vs Italy will be 1-1 in the first 90 minutes, with Italy winning in extra time and Ciro Immobile scoring first.

Digital audience and content editor Samantha King predicted a wild ride for both nations, with a 3-2 final score for England.

She added: "Italy to score first, with Harry Kane getting the first goal for England after that. It will probably go to 30 minutes extra time after a 2-2 draw by the end of the 90 minutes."

Senior reporter Miranda Norris pointed out that Gareth Southgate's decisions have all been proved right by now – five games, three wins and Germany beaten. 

She said: "If we stay calm, I see 2 -1 with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling both to score. 

"Good times never seemed so good."

Eirian Prosser, Oxford reporter, also predicted a 2-1 final score for England, with Sterling scoring first.

Digital reporter Indya Clayton, who covered the England versus Denmark semi-final on Wednesday, said: "I think the final score will be 3 – 2 to England. 

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"I think if it goes to penalties, England will win. 

"And I think England will score first with Sterling scoring.

"I am trying to keep positive!"

Education reporter Liam Rice argued that this will be England's toughest test yet as Italy have been the best team in the tournament, and 'something of a surprise package'.

He added: "I think we will go behind, just like we did against Denmark, but pull it back to 1-1. 

"I actually think we are going to win it on penalties."

Digital reporter Sophie Perry, however, predicted that the Euro 2020 win will go to Italy, with a 2-1 final score, an opinion also shared by crime reporter Tom Seaward.

She said: "Italy will score first with the first goal from Matteo Pessina, but I do hope I am wrong."

Business reporter Andy Ffrench predicted an England 2-1 win in extra time, with Federico Chiesa scoring first for Italy.