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Team Profile: Italy
By:
Published: September 21, 2006
With Italy's victory at the 2006 World Cup, Italy has once again made its claim as one of soccer history's most illustrious and prolific soccer associations in the world. Second only to Brazil, Italy has achieved four appearances in the winner's circle at the World Cup. In addition to playing host to one of the world's greatest soccer teams, Italy is also home to one of Europe's best established, most exciting premiership's.
Since 1898, Italian soccer has been overseen by the Federazione Italiano Giuoco Calcio, the FIGC. In addition to fielding the country's national squad, known to fans as the Azzurri, the FIGC also oversees Men's and Women's U-21 national squads and Olympic team, Italy's domestic leagues and several domestic league tournaments (Coppa Italia, Super Coppa Italiana, TIM Trophy, Torne di Viareggio, Coppa delle Alpi, and Coppa Birra Moretti).
The FIGC oversees three professional and three pro-am leagues. Italy's first division and second division, Serie A and B, are host to some of Italian soccer's most beloved teams: AC Milan, Inter-Milan, Juventus, UC Sampdoria and Parma FC. Italy's domestic leagues have featured international superstars such as Ukrainian striker Adriy Shevchenko, French defensive specialist David Trezeguet, and Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo. Historically, national side talents such as Roberto Baggio, Mauro Tassotti and Bruno Conti called the Italian domestic leagues home. The current national side features, almost exclusively home grown talents and veterans of the domestic league such as sensations Francesco Totti, Allesandro Del Piero and Marcus Materazzi.
Recently, Italy's top division has been immersed in a match fixing scandal. In May 2006, just months before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, team coaches and players from teams including AC Milan and Juventus, as well as referees, were being interrogated with regards to their roles. Some teams were deducted points, others withheld from tournaments, and others still faced relegation form Serie A. Individuals implicated faced hefty fines and banning (from months to years) from soccer.
Although at the time the World Cup was to kick off, many involved were unsure of their fate. It was clear to critics and commentators that the domestic controversy would, at the very least, serve as a distraction for the national team. Although the Italian side appeared shaky in the group stage, the team triumphed managing a 2-1-0 record, edging out the underdog Ghana squad to sit atop of the table.
At the end of June, Juventus coach Gianluca Pessoto attempted suicide unsuccessfully adding yet another distraction to the Italian side. Although the question of talent was never an issue for the squad, the team's ability to focus on the matches at hand would come into question.
Doubt faded as the team advanced out of group stages ahead Ghana, the USA, and the Czech Republic in the "group of death." In the quarterfinals, Italy faced and beat the Ukrainian side 3-0. In their match with the Germans, in extra-time in the semi-finals, the Italian soccer team managed two goals within seconds of each other to end the dream for the host nation and its fans. The Italian squad, facing heavily favored France in the finals, walked away with a victory, albeit on penalty kicks.
In addition to their fourth World Cup victory, the team has finished second twice, and have at advanced as far as the quarterfinals and the Round of 16 once. Aside from not entering the World Cup tournament in its inaugural year of 1930, the Italian side has only failed to qualify for the tournament once. Italy has also laid claim to the European Championship in 1968, as well as Olympic gold in 1968 and have been World Military Cup Champions eight times.
Currently the squad is competing in the Euros 2008 qualifies. The FIGC is also vying to play host nation for the Euros in 2012.
Italy Coach Lippi Resigns. 2006. Associated Press/ Ukrainian Soccer Fan Club. 18 Sept 2006. www.ukrainiansoccer.net
Series A and B. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Series C. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Amateurs. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Italy Win Gives Break From Scandal. 11 July 2006. BBC. 18 Sept 2006. www.bbc.co.uk
US Fans Nervous Ahead of Italy Match. 17 Jun 2006. BBC. 18 Sept 2006. www.bbc.co.uk
Europe. 2006. ESPN Soccernet. 18 Sept 2006. www.soccernet.espn.go.com
Italian Serie A Club Index. 2006. ESPN Soccernet. 18 Sept 2006. www.soccernet.espn.go.com
Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
2006 Serie A Scandal. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
Italian Football Clubs. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
2006 FIFA World Cup. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
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Since 1898, Italian soccer has been overseen by the Federazione Italiano Giuoco Calcio, the FIGC. In addition to fielding the country's national squad, known to fans as the Azzurri, the FIGC also oversees Men's and Women's U-21 national squads and Olympic team, Italy's domestic leagues and several domestic league tournaments (Coppa Italia, Super Coppa Italiana, TIM Trophy, Torne di Viareggio, Coppa delle Alpi, and Coppa Birra Moretti).
The FIGC oversees three professional and three pro-am leagues. Italy's first division and second division, Serie A and B, are host to some of Italian soccer's most beloved teams: AC Milan, Inter-Milan, Juventus, UC Sampdoria and Parma FC. Italy's domestic leagues have featured international superstars such as Ukrainian striker Adriy Shevchenko, French defensive specialist David Trezeguet, and Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo. Historically, national side talents such as Roberto Baggio, Mauro Tassotti and Bruno Conti called the Italian domestic leagues home. The current national side features, almost exclusively home grown talents and veterans of the domestic league such as sensations Francesco Totti, Allesandro Del Piero and Marcus Materazzi.
Recently, Italy's top division has been immersed in a match fixing scandal. In May 2006, just months before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, team coaches and players from teams including AC Milan and Juventus, as well as referees, were being interrogated with regards to their roles. Some teams were deducted points, others withheld from tournaments, and others still faced relegation form Serie A. Individuals implicated faced hefty fines and banning (from months to years) from soccer.
Although at the time the World Cup was to kick off, many involved were unsure of their fate. It was clear to critics and commentators that the domestic controversy would, at the very least, serve as a distraction for the national team. Although the Italian side appeared shaky in the group stage, the team triumphed managing a 2-1-0 record, edging out the underdog Ghana squad to sit atop of the table.
At the end of June, Juventus coach Gianluca Pessoto attempted suicide unsuccessfully adding yet another distraction to the Italian side. Although the question of talent was never an issue for the squad, the team's ability to focus on the matches at hand would come into question.
Doubt faded as the team advanced out of group stages ahead Ghana, the USA, and the Czech Republic in the "group of death." In the quarterfinals, Italy faced and beat the Ukrainian side 3-0. In their match with the Germans, in extra-time in the semi-finals, the Italian soccer team managed two goals within seconds of each other to end the dream for the host nation and its fans. The Italian squad, facing heavily favored France in the finals, walked away with a victory, albeit on penalty kicks.
In addition to their fourth World Cup victory, the team has finished second twice, and have at advanced as far as the quarterfinals and the Round of 16 once. Aside from not entering the World Cup tournament in its inaugural year of 1930, the Italian side has only failed to qualify for the tournament once. Italy has also laid claim to the European Championship in 1968, as well as Olympic gold in 1968 and have been World Military Cup Champions eight times.
Currently the squad is competing in the Euros 2008 qualifies. The FIGC is also vying to play host nation for the Euros in 2012.
Italy Coach Lippi Resigns. 2006. Associated Press/ Ukrainian Soccer Fan Club. 18 Sept 2006. www.ukrainiansoccer.net
Series A and B. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Series C. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Amateurs. 2006. Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 18 Sept 2006. www.figc.it
Italy Win Gives Break From Scandal. 11 July 2006. BBC. 18 Sept 2006. www.bbc.co.uk
US Fans Nervous Ahead of Italy Match. 17 Jun 2006. BBC. 18 Sept 2006. www.bbc.co.uk
Europe. 2006. ESPN Soccernet. 18 Sept 2006. www.soccernet.espn.go.com
Italian Serie A Club Index. 2006. ESPN Soccernet. 18 Sept 2006. www.soccernet.espn.go.com
Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
2006 Serie A Scandal. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
Italian Football Clubs. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
2006 FIFA World Cup. 2006. Wikipedia. 18 Sept 2006. www.en.wikipedia.org
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