A HAIRDRESSER with Italian roots who lost a bet with an Irishman in 1994 is hoping he can reverse his fortunes when Ireland play Italy in the upcoming Euro championships.
Giacomo Licata, who has Italian roots, has been running a barber shop in Horfield, Bristol for 30 years.
One of his first customers was Irishman Stephen O'Farrell, who became a friend and regular client.
Licata says that he and his customers often engage is a bit of friendly betting on the football, but the wager he made with O'Farrell has been costing him money for 22 years.
When Italy faced Ireland at the World Cup in 1994, the two men bet on their respective teams.
The wager was free haircuts for life for O'Farrell if Ireland won. Ireland did win the match, thanks to a memorable Ray Houghton goal, and so Farrell has been enjoying getting his hair cut for free ever since.
That's over two decades of free cuts, amounting to over £15,000.
With the Euros approaching and Italy set to face Ireland again, Bristol-based Licata saw an opportunity to change the terms of the bet in his favour.
Speaking to The Irish Post, Licata said: "I've been looking for an opportunity for quite a while, so I just hope it comes off.
I was confident last time and we lost so I just hope they turn up and give a good performance. They are favourites, so I just hope they do the business on the pitch."
Italy are currently favourites to win the game but if Licata loses again, the bet becomes even more costly.
Licata explains the deal if Italy suffers another loss: "I've got to give him a bottle of wine with every haircut as well".
