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