SERIE A ONLINE - Italian Football - Italy

Euro 2008, France and Germany the favourites

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:28:44 +0000

Next Wednesday most of the national football teams will take the field for the qualifiers of UEFA EURO 2008, which will take place in Austria and Switzerland .

Even if the framework of participating teams must be still established for the final phase, bookmakers gave already attention to which football team will win in the finals. A not homogeneous situation comes out comparing the different odds suggested. In fact, some bookmakers give France probable, quoted to 7.50 which outdistances by a short head Holland and Germany , whose success is given on the contrary to 8. Good chances also for Italy and England , quoted to 9. Spain is given to 12.50. The English bookmakers dissent. Germany is the hot favourite (11 to 2). Holland very well too, given 13 to 2. A group of three formed by England , France and Italy follows, quoted 7 to 1. Spain is after this group, whose winning is given 8 to 1.

Tblisi: Italy beat Georgia 3-1

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:42:43 +0000

Italy notched up a second straight win with a 3-1 result away to 10-man Georgia. Daniele De Rossi, Mauro Camoranesi and Simone Perrotta were on target.

The Azzurri came away with a 3-1 win in Tbilisi after Georgia were reduced to ten men. Mauro Camoranesi is over the moon after scoring his first Italy goal in two years against Georgia.

"I always try to get into the area, but more often than not either miss or the ball doesn't reach me. We had difficulties on the flanks in the early stages, as Simone Perrotta is used to cutting in and I don't so much, so we clattered into each other. We discussed it at half time and moved much better. In the second half Massimo Oddo, Perrotta and I were more in tune and you could see the difference."
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AZZURRI BACK ON TRACK

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 18:55:50 +0000

The Azzurri have been heavily criticised under new Coach Roberto Donadoni after taking just one point from their opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and France.

After beating Ukraine 2-0 the World Cup stars believe the team have been redeemed. "I don't think we have ever been struggling in terms of performance. Our only issues were of results and fitness levels," said Zambrotta.

Also spoke after the match denying that there was ever any concern over their start and praised the Roman fans. "I expected a lot of people at the Stadio Olimpico and we gave them something to enjoy and celebrate," said the Nazionale captain. "Is it an important victory to wipe out our crisis? What crisis? Everything was blown out of proportion by the media."

France Scores some revenge vs Italy

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 14:06:11 +0000

Fifty-nine days after Italy defeated France for the 2006 World Cup on a penalty shootout, the two teams met again on Wednesday night, with France exacting revenge by winning 3 to 1 and starting down the long road to the 2008 European championship.

The two teams played before an unusually noisy and mean-spirited home crowd of 78,000 at the normally passionless Stade de France.
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Materazzi: I prefer your sister

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:54:02 +0000

Soccer fans now know why French star Zinedine Zidane head-butted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the World Cup.

During an interview in Rome, Materazzi admitted to holding Zidane's jersey, which prompted the Frenchman to tell the Italian, "if you want, I'll give you the jersey later."

In response, Materazzi said he, “preferred his sister.”

That was enough for Zidane who responded with his well-known head-butt. He was booted from the game and the Italians won on penalty kicks.

ITALY travel To FRANCE for a Final Rematch

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:23:02 +0000

France face Italy in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with painful memories of the World Cup final still fresh in their minds. Just under two months have passed since that fateful night in Berlin's Olympiastadion, but talk in the French camp is of winning three points, not of revenge.

Italy boss Roberto Donadoni is ready to field a more prudent 4-4-1-1 formation in the European Championship qualifier against France.

Roberto Donadoni insists the match with France won’t decide Italy’s Euro 2008 qualifying hopes, but could return to their World Cup tactics.

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Italy - Lithuania 1-1

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 21:24:38 +0000

Roberto Donadoni's Italy career continues to stutter as Pippo Inzaghi fought back to earn a point against Lithuania despite an inspirational Antonio Cassano.

Donadoni made his official debut on the Italy bench and opted for a 4-3-3 system with the returning Antonio Cassano, back after a year outside the international scene, Filippo Inzaghi and surprise addition Simone Perrotta. The Roma man often pulled back, so it was effectively a 4-4-2 when not in possession.

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Buffon: Materazzi didn't deserve punishment

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:36:49 +0000
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is none too pleased with FIFA’s decision to hand teammate Marco Materazzi a two-game ban for his role in the infamous World Cup final Zidane head butt. “The two-match ban given to Marco was a scandalous compromise,” Buffon said as he prepared for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and France.

New Look Italy for Euro 2008

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 00:32:13 +0000
In addition to unveiling a new star on their uniforms on Saturday, Italy will have a new compliment of players when they take on Lithuania in Euro 2008 qualifying. Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni has dropped nine players from the World Cup winning team ahead of the qualifier.

Gone are goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, defender Alessandro Nesta, midfielders Mauro Camoranesi, Simone Barone and forwards Vincenzo Iaquinta, Francesco Totti and Luca Toni, as well as Marco Materazzi who is out serving his suspension for being an arsehole during the Zidane headbutt meltdown. After the Azzurri play Lithuania, they head to France for a Wednesday rematch of the World Cup final. That, my friends, might be a match worth watching.

Antonio Cassano: the 800-Pound Gorilla in the Living Room

nospam@example.com (Seria A Online) — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:41:54 +0000
We have the talent & confidence to take Europe in 2008. I have my doubts about Donadoni, but then again I had doubts about Lippi. You should have seen some of my rants in May/June during the run-up to the cup.

Lippi turned me into a believer. All Praise Lippi. Amen. Santo Marcello?

But yes, I’m concerned not just about Donadoni as a tactician but also the “team” selected by him. Will he select Cassano (who should feature more with Capello calling the shots in Madrid). Cassano is an undeniable talent (I think he would provide more of a spark then Del Piero has, for instance, as I think Del Piero has been hugely disappointing for la nazionale).

The question is, will Cassano (and his irascible ego) ruin the chemistry of a unified azzurri team?

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