SAVOY BLUE RELIES ON ACE VENTURA

In 1958 the EEC came into being and Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Sweden. Since the World Championships were first formed, Italy missed the debut trip to Uruguay probably because it was a bit too far to go to play calcio. Italian football soon established itself in 1934 as Champions and again in 1938. In 1982 they won again and in 2006. So their record is a bit special. They were runners-up in 1970 and 1994, came third in 1990 and 4th in 1978. I won't mention their record in UEFA but that is pretty good too. Oh yes there is also the Olympics-Gold 1936, Bronze 1928.

The Gli Azzurri, called so based on their Azzurro Savoia, "Savoy Blue" associated with the Royal family. originally the national tteam wore white shirts and shorts based on the colour of the player's club! The first official match was held in May 1910 against France and Italy won 6-2. 4,000 crowd threw full cigarette packets at the victorious team.

This latest campaign, managed by Gian Piero Ventura, involved defeating Albania twice 2-0 and1-0. Liechtenstein 5-0 and 4-0, Israel 1-0 and 3-1, but have been defeated by Spain 0-3 with a 1-1 and a poor 1-1 draw with Macedonia and 3-2 win. The Italians had to play off, to make up the UEFA representatives. Their opponents, Sweden, hold a 1st leg 0-1 lead with the last chance for the Azzurri being held tonight in the San Siro-it should be hot! The Italians complained about the rough play of the Swedes and gamesmanship. Gigi Buffon, the long serving Italian goalkeeper and captain may well be bowing out soon, following Pirlo!

In 2004 as the Euros were being decided, Italy accused Sweden and Denmark in contriving a 2-2 draw in qualifying to eliminate them. It became known as the "biscotti of 2004" where a "helpless" third party is shafted by two conspirators!

Ventura and Buffon face the press.