Does anyone else feel like a kid at Christmas? We’re just an hour away from the opening game of the much-anticipated European Championship: Italy vs Turkey in Group A. Kick-off in Rome is at 20:00 BST.

Insigne darts into the box and flashes a ball across the box, which is deflected behind. The corner comes to nothing but immediately the ball is back under Italy’s control and the pattern starts all over again.

Italy pop it about nicely in midfield as the game goes into a brief lull. It’s slow build-up but still threatening somehow.

Barella has a pop from range, but it’s wild and flies well over the bar.

Italy have been by far the better team so far, but you can see what Turkey’s plan is, and they are obviously good at it too. The defence is organised, there are numbers shielding in midfield too, and then it’s all about trying to find the runs of Yilmaz and working off him. It’s a tough gig for the 35-year-old but he’s in fine form and will always pose a threat.

The resulting corner almost falls to Chiellini again, but he doesn’t get the connection he wants with a flick-on, and was probably offside in any case.

Stunning from Cakir in the Turkey goal as he pulls off a terrific save to tip Chiellini’s wonderful header over the bar. So close to 1-0.

Italy appeal strongly for a penalty, but there’s not much in that, and the video assistant referees (who are based in Nyon for this tournament) agree.

Italy are really ticking now and a lovely move finds Insigne just inside the corner of the box. He looks to bend a shot into the far bottom corner, but it shaves the wrong side of the post.

A nice attacking move from Italy threatens to open up the red-shirted defence, but a double-deflection sends the ball spinning behind for a goal-kick. It’s been a quality start to the game though, not as cagey as you often get in a tournament opener.

That’s encouraging for Turkey as a long pass down the flank picks out the run of Yilmaz, who whips in a cross. It comes to nothing on this occasion, but that’s the game-plan from Turkey and it could well work.

It’s been a lively start from Italy, who are looking really smooth in midfield, where Jorginho is pulling the strings at the base of their classy midfield three.

The atmosphere in Rome is incredible. It’s hard to believe this stadium is only a quarter full, which of course it has to be due to Covid restrictions.

A decent chance early on as Italy keep a move alive down the right and Immobile tries a clever flicked effort from the resulting cross that flies into the side-netting.

EURO 2020 HAS OFFICIALLY STARTED! Turkey, kitted out all in red, get the game underway. Italy are their white away strip, which feels slightly strange given this is in Rome, but that’s something we’ll have to get used to in this unusual tournament.

The players are ready, we’re just waiting for the ball… and here it comes, carried by a remote-controlled car that doubles as presumably a very expensive advert.

Wowzers, both anthems are well-observed, by the Italian one, with a home crowd present, is absolutely belted out. This feels pretty special.

Goosebumps. Love that. Now it’s time for the anthems!