There’s nothing better than watching great sporting tournaments with locals. Last night, we watched the Euro 2012 final Spain v Italy, in Italy – Monterosso on the Cinque Terre in Liguria.

Italia colours decorating the streets of Monterosso, Italia

All the bars had big TVs set up outside, Italian flags everywhere, all the town out wearing their colours, chanting and singing – it was a fantastic atmosphere.

Italian fans cheering the final of Euro 2012, Monterosso, Italia

The result wasn’t fantastic though with Spain dominating the whole game and cleaning up to thump Italia 4-0. After the first half and three corona beers at Euro3.50 each (about A$4.50), I was feeling a big boozy woozy and needed to eat…so we left the locals to it and found a little restaurant, Pozzo, and at 10pm ate spaghetti alle vongole. It was exactly what I needed, although, it wasn’t the world’s best vongole.

We collapsed into bed about 11pm and slept for Australia. We where shattered after 6+ hours flying, an hour to get into Milano central, a 3+ hour train ride and then a 20 hike up the hill with our backpacks – all 16kg + hand luggage.

Italian fans standing for the national anthem at the start of the Euro 2012 final, Monterosso, Italia