Italy
ITALY
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Team Profile
The consistency of Italy’s appearances highlights that they are always a powerhouse during the World Cup events. Apart from in 1930, when they did not enter, and in 1958 where they failed to qualify, Italy have been involved in all of the other 16 FIFA World Cup events.
Italy is a footballing nation where as the Serie A elite league comes second to none on Sunday afternoons. The elite league has managed to keep hold of its best talent down the years, and has never failed to provide legendary players.
Italy has won the World Cup five times, with their first two titles occuring in back-to-back events in 1934 defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 and in 1938 defeating Hungary 4-2. After winning those back-to-back World Cups, Italy went on a long drought of failing to reach the finals again until 32 years later in Mexico, where they faced Brazil in the Finals. However, Brazil defeated Italy rather easily with a final score of 4-1.
In 1982 in Spain, Italy’s returned to the Final round for the fourth time and playing for their third world title. Italy defeated West Germany in the Finals with a final score of 3-1, and success was due in large of their goalkeeper and captain Dino Zoff, along with Marco Tardelli, Franco Baresi and the striker Paolo Rossi.
During the 1990s, the generation led by Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio and Roberto Donadoni – the current coach – were to fall victim to a penalty shootout in the 1994 finals against Brazil where Roberto Baggio’s infamous shootout miss which ultimately lead to Brazil’s victory.
Finally, at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Italian football reached the Final once again and coming out on top in a penalty shootout against France. Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Pirlo were the star performers for a team in the throes of transition as highly promising young performers such as Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele De Rossi, Manuele Blasi, Mauro Esposito, Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta began to emerge to lead Italy into South Africa 2010.
UEFA Group Stage Standings
| Team | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Agst | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain (Q) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 5 | 30 |
| England (Q) | 9 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 6 | 27 |
| Germany (Q) | 8 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 5 | 26 |
| Netherlands (Q) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 24 |
| Italy (Q) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 7 | 24 |
| Serbia (Q) | 7 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 8 | 22 |
| Slovakia | 7 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 10 | 22 |
| Denmark | 6 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 21 |
| Switzerland | 6 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 21 |
Official Site: http://www.figc.it/
