In the end, as the party got going, the two old stagers were there with the tightest grip on the most valuable commodity.
Through the downpour of silver tickertape and the flashing pyrotechnics, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci emerged carrying the Henri Delaunay trophy. It was not going to be relinquished from their grasp until they were good and ready, which was symbolic of the previous 120 minutes.
These two old stagers had put Harry Kane under lock and key during a night of high tension, to book end their tournament. It wasn't that England's captain didn't play well, it was simply the fact he wasn't given a sight of goal by these gladiators.
Giorgio Chiellini (left) and Leonardo Bonucci (right) were vital to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph
Together they kept England's Harry Kane under lock and key to help steer Italy to victory
It was the same, too, for Raheem Sterling. Whenever England's player of the tournament began to dance into the penalty area, he found himself pounced upon by Chiellini and Bonucci in the way big cats spring out of the long grass to ambush gazelles.
They were indefatigable, the leaders and tone-setters of this team, for whom the title 'European Champions' rests easily. They were superb in their opening game against Turkey, way back on June 11, and have continued to be ever since.
Make no mistake, had England tackled opponents with a defence slightly inferior to Italy, they would have won this absorbing contest; had England raced into a second minute lead against anyone other than opponents without Italy's mental resolution, the silverware would be in their keeping.
Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire were never taken out of their comfort zone by Ciro Immobile or Lorenzo Insigne; the outstanding Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips outpointed Jorginho and Marco Verratti in midfield.
But… For England there was a 'but' to break hearts. Chiellini and Bonucci, the pillars on whom Juventus's dominance was built for so long, played like men possessed, their readiness for battle summed up by the way bounced and hollered out their national anthem.
'It was a tough game start in the worst way possible with England scoring after two minutes,' said Chiellini. 'It was difficult for us with all the fans in the stadium giving them energy to win. But we were quiet and calm, which was important. Then we start to play, play, play.
'We find the right pass, we find the
