Euro 2020 opens with a bang! Andrea Bocelli performs a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma

Euro 2020 was opened in emphatic style after a stunning opening ceremony which included plenty of artistic flair before Italy faced Turkey in the opening game.

The highlight was a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma, one of football’s most famous songs, by Italian opera tenor Andrea Bocelli. 

But the song used as the BBC‘s theme music for the 1990 World Cup in Italy came after a magnificent fireworks display, and incredible noise made by the fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.

The ceremony took place before Italy faced Turkey in the first game of the tournament

The highlight was a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma by Italian opera tenor Andrea Bocelli

Giant coloured footballs as well as drummers suspended from ropes from the roof of the stadium were also on display

Giant coloured footballs as well as drummers suspended from ropes from the roof of the stadium were also on display, as the 24 nations’ flags were unfurled to a rock soundtrack. 

There was also a performance of the official UEFA song We Are The People including the likes of Martin Garrix, Bono and The Edge. 

The opening ceremony began with Italy legends Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta – who are icons from Roma and Lazio – holding aloft a ball in the middle of the pitch.

Drummers suspended from ropes from the roof of the stadium were also on display

There was also a performance of the official UEFA song We Are The People

The opening ceremony began with Italy legends Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta holding a ball aloft

The Italy duo then delivered the ball which Roberto Mancini’s side used to kick proceedings off against the Turks in Rome. 

But the ceremony no doubt belonged to Bocelli, who also performed the song at Leicester’s Premier League title party in 2016, in an emotional performance in front of a vibrant crowd.