An English regional journalist and his Italian partner are “still talking to each other” after the latter’s team triumphed in the Euro 2020 final.

Doncaster Free Press reporter Darren Burke has revealed he and his partner Giulia Savini watched Sunday night’s football final between England and Italy in separate rooms after their “nightmare scenario” came to pass.

HTFP covered on Friday how Darren and Giulia were preparing for a weekend of “hell” as their respective nations prepared to vie for the European Championship title.

One room of their home was decorated in England flags with the other in the red, white and green of Italy – while a tray of buns baked especially for the occasion were marked up in the colours of both countries.

Darren and Giulia sporting their respective nations’ colours

The couple were reunited for extra time and the decisive penalty shoot-out after the teams drew 1-1 following 90 minutes of play.

Darren told the Free Press: “The build-up before the game was so tense. Both of us knew that one of us was going to end up very disappointed and upset by the end of the night.

“Giulia knew she wouldn’t be able to watch it with me screaming for England so she went and watched it on a TV in another room.”

He added: “We’re still talking to each other, despite all the banter. Now we can look forward to going through it all again at the next World Cup.”

Giulia said: “I had been dreading the game all week and really couldn’t wait for it to be over. The penalty shoot-out was awful, but somehow we managed to watch it together.

“I am extremely proud of Italy but equally proud of the England team, they were a great team throughout the tournament.”