| As the EURO 2008 approaches all 16 teams which will | | | | know the Italians have only captured one EURO Cup |
| participate in the international competition get set and | | | | title back in 1968. It is true that Italy is the favourite |
| ready to play their group rivals. Of the four groups | | | | to win this tournament due to reasons such as their |
| the Italians have been selected along with Romania, | | | | strong game and their excellent level of players. But |
| the Netherlands and World Cup runner up bitter | | | | there is still a question left unanswered regarding the |
| France. | | | | current 44 year-old Italian Coach Roberto Donadoni |
| Les Blues' will be indeed one of the strongest rivals | | | | who has been with the Italians for a relatively short |
| to defeat as after the 2006 World Cup the French | | | | period. |
| Coach Raymond Domenech began to shift this | | | | Donadoni who previously replaced Marcello Lippi has a |
| direction and new talent was added to the team to | | | | contract which expires at the end of the EURO |
| replace the empty spot left by the ex galactico | | | | 2008; but he has been offered an extension in order |
| Zidane. Domenech has called to training a total of 29 | | | | to secure his place with the team. Until now Donadoni |
| players from which he will decide the 23 that will | | | | has not accepted the agreement and stated "To me |
| participate at the EURO 2008. | | | | the current situation does not represent a problem." |
| "You can't say there won't be problems, won't be | | | | "I am going into it (Euro 2008) with great |
| any injuries," Domenech told RTL radio station on | | | | enthusiasm." |
| Wednesday. "We have to think ahead. Everyone has | | | | Previous to Donadoni's announcement of his 23 |
| to stay vigilant and ready. I envisage all the | | | | players Italy will participate in the last friendly game |
| possibilities." | | | | versus Belgium at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in |
| On June 9 France will meet Romania in the opening | | | | Florence next May 25th. It is believed players such as: |
| round game; this will certainly be a very interesting | | | | Pippo Inzaghi, Alex Del Piero and Antonio Cassano will |
| game as Romania Coach Victor Piturca has also | | | | be part of the roster. |
| began his preparations for the European championship | | | | Nevertheless; the Italians' face a very big task ahead |
| which include 14 players from the local league besides | | | | of them but the team has one of the best chances |
| Inter Milan captain Cristian Chivu and VfB Stuttgart | | | | to make this dream come true for many around the |
| striker Ciprian Marica who Piturca hopes would be | | | | world; as well as for their countrymen at home land |
| able to play as he is still recovering from an injury. | | | | where the sport of football was horrendously hit by |
| On the other hand, we have the current World | | | | a wave of match-fixing scandals and some of the |
| Champions the Azzurri whose football has been very | | | | most recognized teams were moved down to the |
| steady and has delivered many triumphs; but we | | | | Serie B and their points removed. |