IS football coming home or going to Rome?
That’s the burning question in the Burzotta household where the Southend family will be in rival camps for Sunday’s European Championship final at Wembley.
Daniel Burzotta, owner of Il Pescatore in Southend, will be supporting Italy where he originates from, alongside his eldest son Roman.
However, the rest of his family will be donning England shirts proudly as Daniel goes head-to-head with wife, Helen, and their two youngsters, Ava and Max.
Daniel was lucky enough to venture to Wembley on Tuesday to watch Italy play Spain as his beloved country made it through to the final on Sunday.
With a mouth-watering tie between Italy and England set up, he admitted it may get heated at home during the game but everyone will celebrate no matter the winner.
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Daniel said: “We are supporting Italy, but honestly we are happy either way.
“For us it’s a win win situation, we also love England - my wife and children are English - and we’ve had this restaurant for 30 years.
“So we really were chuffed they got through.
“The semi-final on Wednesday definitely got quite tense when it got to extra time and there was the penalty.
“But there will certainly be a split in the house on Sunday, we’re all dressing up. Me and my eldest son will have our face painted and be wearing a blue t-shirt, and my wife and the other kids will be wearing their England bits.”
Daniel’s brother, Riccardo Burzotta, who own’s La Pizzeria in Westcliff, is also backing Italy ahead of the big game.
Riccardo said: “We’re getting behind Italy for sure, we will be singing It’s Coming Home Italian style.
“I’m originally from Italy, from Palermo, but I’ve been in Southend for 34 years.
“We tuned into the match on Wednesday and England definitely deserved to win, they did really well, and we’ve watched the games throughout.
“We will be watching the TV inside the restaurant for the final.
“I think it will be close for the game and it might go to penalties, but I think overall it will be 1-0 to Italy.”
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