Football fervour grips tinsel town

Football fans in India know no national boundaries. They are passionate and knowledgeable about the game for its own sake. Big names from the film industry share their excitement and predictions about the major world tournament now drawing to a close.

Euro euphoria

I am super excited to catch the finals on Sunday! With Italy having an amazing run and England playing at home for their first major final in decades, it is going to be a very close contest. England hasn’t won the Euro title ever, so with one of the best squads of players and exciting talent, this is their best opportunity at home. And what’s more, the whole nation is behind them, so the cup could be coming home. — Rana Daggubati, actor

Nikhil Siddharth

Golden England

“I have always been a great fan of the Arsenal Club, and I believe this generation of English players are amazing. It would not be an understatement if I call this side the ‘Golden Generation English team’, and I strongly root for England. I felt that France had a great chance of coming to the finals, but unfortunately, they lost. Luckily, I don’t have shooting on the finals day (Sunday), so I and my friends who are football lovers are eagerly looking forward to it.”                                                    — Nikhil Siddharth, actor.

Sumanth

Rooting for England

I am eagerly looking forward to the final, and I am sure it'll be a pretty charged-up one. I root for England, of course, and I am happy to see the team doing extremely well. I am glad that they made it to the finals of such a championship after a long time. I guess the kind of players they have in the team makes them an exciting watch.  —Sumanth, actor.

Rahul Ravindran

A cracker of a contest

I am glad that the two best teams in the championship are competing in the finals, so it’ll be a cracker of a contest. Although I am neutral, I’d love to see Italy winning the cup if only for the sake of their manager Robert Mancini. It is very difficult to bring all the players together in a national side. But he has done a commendable job in transforming a dispirited team into what they are today. Both teams have exciting talent to watch out for, and we are in for a humdinger.”           — Rahul Ravindran, actor, and National Award-winning director.

Dino Morea

It’ll be Italy!

“I am definitely going to be watching not just the Euro Cup match between England and Italy but also the Copa Cup between Columbia and Peru.” says Raaz actor Dino Morea. He’s got Italian blood flowing in his veins through his father Ronnie Morea, and that’s enough to make him blindly back Bel Paese in Sunday’s  encounter. “I am rooting for Italy and I am very sure that they are going to win.” declares Dino, who’s also an entrepreneur and restaurateur.                                                                                                                       — Dino Morea

Aadar Jain

Hollering for England

Raj Kapoor’s grandson and Ranbir’s cousin Aadar Jain has been a huge football fan from childhood. “I am going to be watching the match 100 per cent,” he says. The actor admits that he is more of a John Bull when it comes to football. “I am going to be hollering my heart out for England. I have been their supporter since I was ten years old.” he says.                                       — Aadar Jain

A huge one!

Legendary filmmaker OP Ralhan's grandson Armaan Ralhan, who shone in Ajeeb Daastaans recently, has been a footballer since childhood and backs England's chances on their home turf, Wembley. “Italy has a very solid team tactically but I don’t think England will lose at Wembley. I’m sure it’ll be a close game though,” the actor predicts, adding, “As someone who has played and lived football since I was a kid, I rarely miss the big games, and this one is huge.”
Armaan, Dino and Aadar turn up in All Stars Football Cup jerseys when play soccer with each other.                                                       — Armaan Ralhan