ITALY - The Road to WC 2010

[D-Kin]

Azzurri seeds in 2010 draw Wednesday 21 November, 2007

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Holders Italy are set to be one of the nine European seeds in the 2010 World Cup draw to be held on Sunday.

Although FIFA will only officially confirm the groups on Friday, it is based on the latest FIFA World Rankings, so the Italian media has been calculating the odds.

It is believed the nine European seeds for the 2010 South Africa tournament will be Italy, France, Spain, Holland, Portugal, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany and England.

This means that, unlike the Euro 2008 qualifiers, the Azzurri cannot be drawn in the same group as France.

The ceremony to pick the qualifying groups will be made in Durban, South Africa on Sunday afternoon.

Italy are currently third in the FIFA World Rankings behind Brazil and Argentina. The 53 European nations will be divided into eight groups of six teams each and one of five.

The nine top teams will directly enter the 2010 World Cup, while the eight second-placed sides do battle in play-offs to whittle down the total 13 European entries.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Well at least we'll be top seeds this time (unlike the Euro).

[Jager]

I don't really care any more who we play. If we are on our game, we are tough, and that should be some team for the next world cup.

[D-Kin]

Italy risk England World Cup draw Friday 23 November, 2007

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Italy could face England in 2010 World Cup qualifying after the latest FIFA rankings put them in separate pots for the draw.

The Azzurri are the reigning champions after their 2006 victory, but will have to go through qualifying anyway, as only hosts South Africa are guaranteed a place.

Roberto Donadoni’s side risk a tough draw, as England slipped out of the top 10 European sides and so will be second seeds in the draw on Sunday.

Scotland are also in the second seeds, so they too could once again be drawn against Italy after their Euro 2008 tussle.

The Nazionale are set to be one of nine seeded teams along with Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Holland, Croatia and Greece.

There will be nine groups for the 53 European sides competing – eight of six teams and one of five. The group winners automatically qualify for the finals and the best eight runners-up enter play-offs.

“It’s a good compromise solution, because I wasn’t really happy with the format for the last qualifying competition with groups of seven and eight teams,” explained UEFA President and former Juventus legend Michel Platini.

Italy remain third in the FIFA world rankings despite top side Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia this week, although the gap has closed. Brazil are still in second place.

FIFA world rankings:
1 Argentina 1523
2 Brazil 1502
3 Italy 1498
4 Spain 1349
5 Germany 1296
6 Czech Republic1290
7 France 1243
8 Portugal 1241
9 Holland 1170
10 Croatia 1129

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

WC 2010: Nations await draw Sunday 25 November, 2007

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Everything is ready for the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in Durban this afternoon and holders Italy are among the seeds.

In all 170 countries will go into the draw in a bid to earn one of the 31 places at the finals in South Africa.

Due to a recent rule change, only the hosts will be guaranteed a spot, so holders Italy must go through qualifying as normal despite lifting the trophy in 2006.

Asia and Concacaf are first up on the day, but the European section is expected to begin at approximately 16.00 UK time.

The 53 teams are divided into nine groups – eight of six teams and one of five – and Italy are among the nine seeds.

The winners of each group will qualify automatically for the 2010 World Cup finals, while the eight best runners-up enter play-offs.

The Durban ceremony concludes with the African draw dividing 48 teams into 12 groups. South America and Oceania have already begun their qualifying campaign.

Pot 1
Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece.

Pot 2
England, Romania, Scotland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Israel.

Pot 3
Norway, Ukraine, Serbia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium.

Pot 4
Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova, Wales, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus.

Pot 5
Georgia, Albania, Slovenia, Latvia, Iceland, Armenia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.

Pot 6
Liechtenstein, Estonia, Malta, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands, San Marino.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

I'm not to worried about this, not even giving this a second thought. Playing England is the least of my worries in regards to the Azzurri.

[Dellas]

Your qualifying group is:

ITALY
BULGARIA
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
CYPRUS
GEORGIA
MONTENEGRO

pretty decent group imo.

[D-Kin]

It could have been a lot worse, I'll take it.

[D-Kin]

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8 ITALY, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 Holland, Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland

[D-Kin]

Donadoni respects Bulgaria Sunday 25 November, 2007

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Italy boss Roberto Donadoni sees Bulgaria as the real threat in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign rather than the Republic of Ireland.

“Bulgaria have more of a football tradition than the others and could be the team that on paper will try to compete with us for first place,” said the Coach.

This afternoon’s draw in Durban placed the Azzurri in Group 8 along with Bulgaria, the Republic of Ireland, Montenegro, Cyprus and Georgia.

“These sides don’t have much of a history in the World Cup, but in any case have their strengths.

“For example, like all the Slavic nations, Montenegro have great technique, while Ireland are tough to beat. The same goes for Georgia, who we faced recently.”

Georgia, including Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, were in Italy’s Euro 2008 qualifying group, but were defeated 3-1 away and 2-0 in the peninsula.

The Azzurri are the reigning World Cup champions, but under new rules must go through the same qualifying process as every other nation. Only holders South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals.

“It is a strategy that has been adopted recently. We have to accept it and I think it is right that every team must earn its spot in the competition,” added Donadoni.

Italy are the second most successful side in World Cup history, having lifted the trophy four times in 1934, ’38, ’82 and 2006.

Only Brazil have done better with five editions, though the Italians also lost the Final to the Selecao in 1970 and ’94.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

WC 2010: History books bode well Sunday 25 November, 2007

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Italy’s record against their Group 8 opponents is very encouraging, although the Republic of Ireland caused a memorable 1994 World Cup upset.

The Azzurri are expected to sail through the qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa and have an excellent history against the other teams in the group.

Bulgaria have won two of their 13 meetings with Italy and drawn the other four, but have scored just 12 goals to 25 conceded.

The sides have already crossed paths in the World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw in 1986 and Roberto Baggio inspired the 2-1 semi-final victory in 1994 with a brace of goals.

The Republic of Ireland also met Il Divin Codino in USA ’94 and were the only team to beat them over 90 minutes.

That tournament opened with a shock result, as Ireland came away 1-0 winners in Giants Stadium thanks to an 11th-minute Ray Houghton strike.

Italy went on to lose the Final at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on penalties against Brazil.

Although it was memorable, that remains Ireland’s only victory over the Azzurri compared to seven defeats.

Cyprus are among the minnows of Group 8 and have lost five of their six meetings with Italy, drawing only 1-1 in February 1983. That was one of only two goals the Cypriots have put past the peninsula side, having conceded 17.

Georgia are becoming familiar faces in qualifying, as they were also in Italy’s group for 1998 and 2002 as well as the recent Euro 2008 process.

In their total six meetings there have been five Azzurri victories and just one draw, 0-0 in September 1997, while the Georgians netted only twice and conceded 10 goals.

Their most representative figure in Serie A is Milan defender Kakhaber Kaladze.

Montenegro can count on Roma striker Mirko Vucinic’s insider knowledge of the Italian game, as well as former Milan star Dejan Savicevic, who now works with the FA.

Although Italy have faced them when they were part of Serbia-Montenegro, registering just three 1-1 draws from 2002 to 2005, this will be the first official encounter.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

I think we can get results in every country in the group. All in all, very good draw for us.

[sinoy1]

Yeah.Very good draw for Italy.Bulgaria should be tricky.Ireland should be dangerous away as well.

I believe that the world cup winners should be given direct access to the finals...all this qualifying BS for Italy is garbage since they won the title....How can there be a world cup with potentially no title holder?

[LAF]

I was hoping you got England. This place would go mad.

Bulgaria have good players, Georgia are always a hard away fixture and ROI are hopeless...

[dukeofdavinci]

Your qualifying group is:

Quote:
ITALY
BULGARIA
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
CYPRUS
GEORGIA
MONTENEGRO

pretty decent group imo.

agreed but just 1 word "caution".

we dont have to look far for reminders as just look at our euro qualy campaign wch almost didnt turn our way.all i say we can do well as long as we respect every single team in our group.

[z187]

italy always qualified for a tournament, you guys shouldnt be worried