Official Azzurri (Italy) Euro 2008 Qualifier thread (30 Viewers)
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Lol,
I asked you because i also support only my country and in this case i also want SCO and FRA to qualify for personal reasons (or any other apart from Italy). I am not an Italy fan or Italy hater. Sometimes i want them to win sometimes not, but in this case it will be very profitable if they don't
Even more profitable if Russia and Poland don't qualify from their groups.
I asked you because i also support only my country and in this case i also want SCO and FRA to qualify for personal reasons (or any other apart from Italy). I am not an Italy fan or Italy hater. Sometimes i want them to win sometimes not, but in this case it will be very profitable if they don't
Even more profitable if Russia and Poland don't qualify from their groups.
Mauri ready for Azzurri must-win
Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri is hoping that he can play his part for the Azzurri in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Saturday.
The Biancocelesti star has been called up to Roberto Donadoni’s squad after a glut of injuries to key midfielders.
Mauri has won many plaudits at the capital club over the last two seasons and has bounced back from his own fitness problems to put himself in the frame for a fifth Italy cap.
“I’m happy to be back in the set-up after a period packed full of injuries,” the ex-Udinese man grinned
“I’ve come back to the same group with a few more games under their belts and in good physical shape.”
The Azzurri are in a vulnerable position in Group B and must beat Scotland in November’s crunch match, but they know that a slip-up before that game isn’t an option.
“We have to win at all costs on Saturday,” Mauri admitted. “Luckily the young players are very good and Roberto Donadoni has done well to notice them.
“I can play in various roles and I will make any contribution I can against Georgia or in the friendly against South Africa next week.”
The main talking point in Donadoni’s squad has been the exclusion of Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero and Mauri finished by giving his view on Pinturricchio’s absence.
“So much has been said about his absence because he is a great player,” he conceded.
“But the Coach makes the decisions and they must be accepted.”
channel 4
Lazio midfielder Stefano Mauri is hoping that he can play his part for the Azzurri in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia on Saturday.
The Biancocelesti star has been called up to Roberto Donadoni’s squad after a glut of injuries to key midfielders.
Mauri has won many plaudits at the capital club over the last two seasons and has bounced back from his own fitness problems to put himself in the frame for a fifth Italy cap.
“I’m happy to be back in the set-up after a period packed full of injuries,” the ex-Udinese man grinned
“I’ve come back to the same group with a few more games under their belts and in good physical shape.”
The Azzurri are in a vulnerable position in Group B and must beat Scotland in November’s crunch match, but they know that a slip-up before that game isn’t an option.
“We have to win at all costs on Saturday,” Mauri admitted. “Luckily the young players are very good and Roberto Donadoni has done well to notice them.
“I can play in various roles and I will make any contribution I can against Georgia or in the friendly against South Africa next week.”
The main talking point in Donadoni’s squad has been the exclusion of Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero and Mauri finished by giving his view on Pinturricchio’s absence.
“So much has been said about his absence because he is a great player,” he conceded.
“But the Coach makes the decisions and they must be accepted.”
channel 4
Phew! Grazie amico.
!!
Euro Qualifying Group B: Who Will Survive Group Of Death?
When the Euro 2008 qualifying draw was made in January 2006, Group B was immediately touted as the 'Group of Death’. This is exactly what it has turned out to be. Carlo Garganese looks ahead to the next round of qualifiers...
The Current Situation
With three matches remaining in the group things are really heating up. It seems likely that Scotland, Italy and France face a straight fight for the two qualification places, however Ukraine cannot be totally discounted just yet.
In the last round of qualifiers in September, Scotland gained maximum points from their two games with a 3-1 win at home to Lithuania and then a shock 1-0 victory over France in Paris.
Italy drew 0-0 in Milan with rivals France, before earning an excellent 2-1 win in the Ukraine four days later. This defeat for Ukraine, coupled with the disappointing draw with Georgia, means that Oleg Blokhin’s men are dangerously close to elimination.
Scotland are top with 21 points from nine games. Italy have 20 points, while France, after just one point from September’s games, are a point further back on 19. Ukraine are hanging on by the skin of their teeth in fourth place with 13 points, although they do have a game in hand.
This Week's Qualifiers And Permutations
Scotland
This Saturday, Ukraine face Scotland at Hampden Park, knowing that anything less than a win will lead to virtual elimination from the race to qualify for Austria and Switzerland. The Tartan Army will be aware that maximum points, both from this game and the match in Georgia on Wednesday evening; will mean a draw against Italy on November 21 will ensure their passage to their first major championships for a decade.
Italy
The Azzurri play just the one game in this round of qualifiers, against Georgia on Saturday. The match in Genoa is a must-win clash for Roberto Donadoni’s men.
Scotland’s shock win in Paris on September 12 was the worst possible outcome for the Azzurri mathematically, as it now means that they may have to win all three of their remaining fixtures, including the showdown in Glasgow, to qualify for Euro 2008.
France
France have two easy-looking games on paper over the coming week. Les Bleus travel to the Faroes Islands on Saturday before hosting Lithuania on Wednesday. Despite currently sitting in third place, Raymond Domenech’s men know that their destiny is still in their own hands.
If France win all three of their remaining group games they will qualify, as at least one of Scotland or Italy will then knock each other out during their clash in November. There are so many permutations in this Group Of Death that you could almost write a book about it.
Ukraine
Ukraine are not completely out of the mix. If they win all four of their remaining fixtures, including the match this Saturday, they will finish on 25 points. If Italy then take points off Scotland next month, this will be enough for the Yellow-Blues to finish above Alex McLeish’s men.
In this scenario it will then come down to a fascinating final-day, where (providing France as expected beat the Faroe Islands and Lithuania), Ukraine will have to win against Les Bleus by a better scoreline than 2-0 in order to finish above them on a better head-to-head record.
Group B is all very complicated and, even as I write, I am assuming that Italy will emerge victorious from both their game with Georgia this Saturday and the contest with the Faroe Islands on November 21. What is certain is that things will be a lot clearer after this next round of Euro 2008 qualifiers.
This week’s Group B fixtures:
Oct 13 Scotland-Ukraine
Oct 13 Italy-Georgia
Oct 13 Faroe Islands-France
Oct 17 Georgia-Scotland
Oct 17 France-Lithuania
Oct 17 Ukraine-Faroe Islands
Group B Table
Scotland 21
Italy 20
France 19
Ukraine 13
Lithuania 10
Georgia 7
Faroe 0
Next month’s Group B Fixtures:
Nov 17 Lithuania-Ukraine
Nov 17 Scotland-Italy
Nov 21 Italy-Faroe Islands
Nov 21 Georgia-Lithuania
Nov 21 Ukraine-France
goal.com
Donadoni Explains Gilardino Position
Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni has admitted he was happy to see Milan striker Alberto Gilardino return to form on Sunday and says it is tough to leave any player out of his squad.
Gilardino had made a dismal start to the season until Sunday’s game with Lazio, having failed to hit the back of the net in his first six Serie A games and being roundly booed by his own supporters.
The ex-Parma man was preferred to Filippo Inzaghi for the match at the Stadio Olimpico and answered his critics in devastating fashion by scoring two goals and putting in and excellent performance.
Unfortunately this display came too late to win a recall to the Italy squad as Donadoni had already named his list of players after the afternoon Serie A matches.
"It's hard to leave players home,” admitted the Azzurri boss. “In my work as national team coach leaving a player at home, on the bench or in the stands is the most difficult part.”
“Gilardino? I know what he's done, and we shouldn't forget he is a goalscorer, someone who puts the balls in the back of the net. Seeing him do well last Sunday certainly made me happy."
goal.com
When the Euro 2008 qualifying draw was made in January 2006, Group B was immediately touted as the 'Group of Death’. This is exactly what it has turned out to be. Carlo Garganese looks ahead to the next round of qualifiers...
The Current Situation
With three matches remaining in the group things are really heating up. It seems likely that Scotland, Italy and France face a straight fight for the two qualification places, however Ukraine cannot be totally discounted just yet.
In the last round of qualifiers in September, Scotland gained maximum points from their two games with a 3-1 win at home to Lithuania and then a shock 1-0 victory over France in Paris.
Italy drew 0-0 in Milan with rivals France, before earning an excellent 2-1 win in the Ukraine four days later. This defeat for Ukraine, coupled with the disappointing draw with Georgia, means that Oleg Blokhin’s men are dangerously close to elimination.
Scotland are top with 21 points from nine games. Italy have 20 points, while France, after just one point from September’s games, are a point further back on 19. Ukraine are hanging on by the skin of their teeth in fourth place with 13 points, although they do have a game in hand.
This Week's Qualifiers And Permutations
Scotland
This Saturday, Ukraine face Scotland at Hampden Park, knowing that anything less than a win will lead to virtual elimination from the race to qualify for Austria and Switzerland. The Tartan Army will be aware that maximum points, both from this game and the match in Georgia on Wednesday evening; will mean a draw against Italy on November 21 will ensure their passage to their first major championships for a decade.
Italy
The Azzurri play just the one game in this round of qualifiers, against Georgia on Saturday. The match in Genoa is a must-win clash for Roberto Donadoni’s men.
Scotland’s shock win in Paris on September 12 was the worst possible outcome for the Azzurri mathematically, as it now means that they may have to win all three of their remaining fixtures, including the showdown in Glasgow, to qualify for Euro 2008.
France
France have two easy-looking games on paper over the coming week. Les Bleus travel to the Faroes Islands on Saturday before hosting Lithuania on Wednesday. Despite currently sitting in third place, Raymond Domenech’s men know that their destiny is still in their own hands.
If France win all three of their remaining group games they will qualify, as at least one of Scotland or Italy will then knock each other out during their clash in November. There are so many permutations in this Group Of Death that you could almost write a book about it.
Ukraine
Ukraine are not completely out of the mix. If they win all four of their remaining fixtures, including the match this Saturday, they will finish on 25 points. If Italy then take points off Scotland next month, this will be enough for the Yellow-Blues to finish above Alex McLeish’s men.
In this scenario it will then come down to a fascinating final-day, where (providing France as expected beat the Faroe Islands and Lithuania), Ukraine will have to win against Les Bleus by a better scoreline than 2-0 in order to finish above them on a better head-to-head record.
Group B is all very complicated and, even as I write, I am assuming that Italy will emerge victorious from both their game with Georgia this Saturday and the contest with the Faroe Islands on November 21. What is certain is that things will be a lot clearer after this next round of Euro 2008 qualifiers.
This week’s Group B fixtures:
Oct 13 Scotland-Ukraine
Oct 13 Italy-Georgia
Oct 13 Faroe Islands-France
Oct 17 Georgia-Scotland
Oct 17 France-Lithuania
Oct 17 Ukraine-Faroe Islands
Group B Table
Scotland 21
Italy 20
France 19
Ukraine 13
Lithuania 10
Georgia 7
Faroe 0
Next month’s Group B Fixtures:
Nov 17 Lithuania-Ukraine
Nov 17 Scotland-Italy
Nov 21 Italy-Faroe Islands
Nov 21 Georgia-Lithuania
Nov 21 Ukraine-France
goal.com
Donadoni Explains Gilardino Position
Italy Coach Roberto Donadoni has admitted he was happy to see Milan striker Alberto Gilardino return to form on Sunday and says it is tough to leave any player out of his squad.
Gilardino had made a dismal start to the season until Sunday’s game with Lazio, having failed to hit the back of the net in his first six Serie A games and being roundly booed by his own supporters.
The ex-Parma man was preferred to Filippo Inzaghi for the match at the Stadio Olimpico and answered his critics in devastating fashion by scoring two goals and putting in and excellent performance.
Unfortunately this display came too late to win a recall to the Italy squad as Donadoni had already named his list of players after the afternoon Serie A matches.
"It's hard to leave players home,” admitted the Azzurri boss. “In my work as national team coach leaving a player at home, on the bench or in the stands is the most difficult part.”
“Gilardino? I know what he's done, and we shouldn't forget he is a goalscorer, someone who puts the balls in the back of the net. Seeing him do well last Sunday certainly made me happy."
goal.com
Montolivo: Playing For Italy Is A Dream
Fiorentina star Riccardo Montolivo has revealed he has dreamed about playing for the Azzurri since he was a young child.
The 22-year-old midfielder earned his maiden call-up to the Italy squad for the matches with Georgia and South Africa and is tipped as an international star of the future.
"It's every child's dream to play for the national team,” said Montolivo.
“I didn't expect to be called up, so my happiness is doubled. I've matured a lot in the last two years, and I have to thank my coach Cesare Prandelli and my team-mate Fabio Liverani who've helped me so much. I want to dedicate this first call-up to my family."
Montolivo is unlikely to start Saturday’s must win Euro 2008 qualifier in Genoa against Georgia but he is expected to feature heavily in the friendly with 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa four days later.
The playmaker has been likened to Milan star Andrea Pirlo due to his fantastic vision and passing, although ex-Azzurri boss Marcello Lippi has, surprisingly perhaps, labeled the youngster as the 'little Steven Gerrard’.
Montolivo started his career at hometown club Atalanta in 2003, before moving onto Fiorentina in 2005.
goal.com
Fiorentina star Riccardo Montolivo has revealed he has dreamed about playing for the Azzurri since he was a young child.
The 22-year-old midfielder earned his maiden call-up to the Italy squad for the matches with Georgia and South Africa and is tipped as an international star of the future.
"It's every child's dream to play for the national team,” said Montolivo.
“I didn't expect to be called up, so my happiness is doubled. I've matured a lot in the last two years, and I have to thank my coach Cesare Prandelli and my team-mate Fabio Liverani who've helped me so much. I want to dedicate this first call-up to my family."
Montolivo is unlikely to start Saturday’s must win Euro 2008 qualifier in Genoa against Georgia but he is expected to feature heavily in the friendly with 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa four days later.
The playmaker has been likened to Milan star Andrea Pirlo due to his fantastic vision and passing, although ex-Azzurri boss Marcello Lippi has, surprisingly perhaps, labeled the youngster as the 'little Steven Gerrard’.
Montolivo started his career at hometown club Atalanta in 2003, before moving onto Fiorentina in 2005.
goal.com
Buffon: Del Piero Italy Career Is Not Over
Gianluigi Buffon has declared that Alessandro Del Piero will return to the Azzurri fold despite his omission from the squad to face Georgia and South Africa.
The Golden Boy was left off Roberto Donadoni’s latest squad list, with the Italy Coach preferring the attacking options of Antonio Di Natale, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristiano Lucarelli, Fabio Quagliarella and Luca Toni.
This has left many people questioning whether the soon-to-be 33-year-old has played his last game for his country.
Del Piero’s Juventus colleague Gianluigi Buffon does not believe this is the case and thinks Il Pinturicchio will come back and prove his quality.
“Del Piero’s adventure with the national team has not ended,” Buffon said at Italy’s training camp at Coverciano.
“Donadoni has not said his time is over and he has the desire to win his place back. He will return and prove his worth.
“The reason he wasn’t called up is because Donadoni did not want to humiliate him by leaving him on the bench or in the stands.”
goal.com
Gianluigi Buffon has declared that Alessandro Del Piero will return to the Azzurri fold despite his omission from the squad to face Georgia and South Africa.
The Golden Boy was left off Roberto Donadoni’s latest squad list, with the Italy Coach preferring the attacking options of Antonio Di Natale, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Cristiano Lucarelli, Fabio Quagliarella and Luca Toni.
This has left many people questioning whether the soon-to-be 33-year-old has played his last game for his country.
Del Piero’s Juventus colleague Gianluigi Buffon does not believe this is the case and thinks Il Pinturicchio will come back and prove his quality.
“Del Piero’s adventure with the national team has not ended,” Buffon said at Italy’s training camp at Coverciano.
“Donadoni has not said his time is over and he has the desire to win his place back. He will return and prove his worth.
“The reason he wasn’t called up is because Donadoni did not want to humiliate him by leaving him on the bench or in the stands.”
goal.com
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