Italy’s self-esteem has taken a beating, but I still wouldn’t live anywhere else

Millions of Italians have been understandably despondent for the past few days. The results of the regional elections in Sicily proved that former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is back in the big time. With a face that looks more sinister with each passing year, the 81-year-old politician took the credit for a victory in which his rightwing coalition won more than double the votes of the left.

Then, on Monday evening, the Italian football team were dumped out of the World Cup in the qualifying stages, beaten in the playoffs by the humble but hard-working Swedes. For the first time since 1958, the Azzurri – four-time winners – won’t even be at the tournament. “It feels like not being invited to your own birthday party,” said a glum Italian friend.

Football was one of the remaining reasons Italians felt any national pride. With that gone, it has become short-hand for something done badly, with corners cut and, probably, a bit of corruption too. It’s a country, says everyone, – ruined or collapsed. Last month Andrea Camilleri,, derided that well-worn phrase of national self-approval (Italians – good people): “We Italians are racist,” he said, “why don’t we want to say it? Forget ‘good people’.”