2008 Olympics

[D-Kin]

- Training camp starts in Rome on July 6.
- The team will play a final preparation game against Romania on July 22 in Pistoia.

[D-Kin]

Rocchi's Olympic excitement Monday 7 July, 2008

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Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi has expressed his delight at being selected as the only overage player in Italy’s Olympic squad.

Teams at the Olympic Games are allowed to pick up to three players who are over the age of 23.

However, Pierluigi Casiraghi is set to take his Azzurrini squad, fresh from glory at the Toulon Tournament, plus Rocchi.

“I am happy that Casiraghi has given me this opportunity,” Rocchi told the Corriere dello Sport.

“It is a great professional satisfaction given that I was selected as the overage player when there were so many candidates.

“I looked at the squad and I like it. It looks like a good group and I’m hoping I can help my teammates to improve.

“We know that we have what it takes to get on the podium and to take on such strong sides will be an added motivation.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Casiraghi:

“Why was Rocchi the only overage player? There were a lot of picket fences,” the former Chelsea player explained.

“We couldn’t pick Juventus players or even Fiorentina’s – except for Riccardo Montolivo – and nobody who had played at Euro 2008.

“Milan didn’t want us to use their men either and Inter hardly have any Italians and those in the first team were out of the question.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

and Inter hardly have any Italians

this one made me laugh

[LaVecchiaSignora]

haha its true...they really want to live up to their name...Internaztionale!

[sinoy1]

Cerci is injured until October.No wonder he wasnt called.

Im really thrilled at possibly seeing Abate and Osvaldo.Something about these two are special imo.

[dukeofdavinci]

Olympics: Rossi inspires Azzurrini Tuesday 22 July, 2008

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Giuseppe Rossi combined brilliantly with Sebastian Giovinco and scored in the Italian Olympic team's 1-1 friendly draw with Romania.

Italy continued their preparations for the Beijing tournament with this friendly match in Pistoia against the Under-21 Romanians, but were missing Riccardo Montolivo with a flu virus. Senior Azzurri Coach Marcello Lippi was in the stands to view the match.

Rossi went on a mazy run between five defenders and his penalty appeals were waved away for a last-ditch tackle in the box.

A dangerous long-range strike shook the side-netting for Romania, but the Azzurrini were in control with Sebastian Giovinco also slaloming through yellow shirts until he was brought down outside the box. He took the resulting free kick, which the goalkeeper fingertipped over the bar.

Lazio full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri's error prompted a scare, but Tommaso Rocchi - the only over-age player in Italy's Olympic squad - was halted clear on goal for an incorrect offside flag.

It was an all-Biancocelesti battle when De Silvestri trapped a brilliant Claudio Marchisio ball over the top to leave him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Lazio teammate Stefan Radu came flying in with a decisive tackle.

Moments later Romania required a goalline clearance to deny Rossi's tap-in from a Giovinco assist, as the two pint-sized youngsters continued to combine.

The goal was in the air and it arrived with a stroke of luck, as Rossi's strike from just inside the box took a massive deflection off a defender to loop under the bar.

Juventus youngster Giovinco tested the Romanian shot-stopper with two left-foot efforts in close succession.

Rossi's absolute rocket from 20 metres stung the palms of Tatarusanu in first half stoppages.

Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi made three changes at the break, introducing Andrea Consigli, Marco Motta and Daniele Dessena. Rimini goalkeeper Consigli was tested immediately by a tricky free kick and Rocchi turned a header off target.

Giovinco and Rossi exchanged passes again to tear up the Romanian defence and the Juventus 'atomic ant' nearly scored from an in swinging corner kick.

By the 70th minute, Casiraghi had effectively transformed the line-up with Milan-owned Ignazio Abate, Cagliari hitman Robert Acquafresca, Genoa's Salvatore Bocchetti, Andrea Ranocchia of Bari, Udinese's Antonio Candreva and Andrea Russotto of Napoli coming off the bench.

Substitute Candreva was extremely unlucky not to make it 2-0, as he ran on to an inspired Abate through ball and went round the goalkeeper only to slide the ball inches past the base of the near post.

Paolo De Ceglie created another good opportunity let down by Abate's poor finishing. It proved costly, as in the final minutes Romania snatched an equaliser when Italy had taken their foot off the pedal. A cross from the byline found Stancu to turn in from six yards, leaving Consigli with no chance.

The Azzurrini should have won moments later, but a save denied Abate and De Ceglie's follow-up cracked against the crossbar! It ended 1-1, but the first team showed promising things for the Olympic Games, above all the rapport between Giovinco and Rossi.

Italy 1-1 Romania
Scorers: Rossi 39 (I), Stancu 88 (R)
Italy: Viviano (Consigli 46); De Silvestri (Ranocchia 70), Coda (Motta 46), Criscito (Bocchetti 59), De Ceglie; Marchisio (Dessena 46), Cigarini (Candreva 70), Nocerino; Rossi (Abate 59), Rocchi (Acquafresca 59), Giovinco (Russotto 70)
Romania: Tatarusanu; Ninu, Tudose, Mardare, Radu; Torje, Tanase, Bicfalvi, Chiacu; Deac, Stancu
Ref: Chapron

good win for us, im looking beyond the olypics.im looking at the possible starters in lippi's squad.

[D-Kin]

Giovinco at the heart of things as usual...

[llewelyn]

Italy beat Honduras 3-0 today in the first game of the Olympics.

Giovinco opened the scoring with an absolute rocket from outside the box. The other goals were both penalties from Rossi and Acquafresca.

Giovinco was without doubt motm. Cigarini also played very well.

The Azzurrini play Korea Republic next on the 10th.

As it stands now:

Italy - 3 pts
Korea Republic - 1 pt
Cameroon - 1pt
Honduras - 0 pts

[Jager]

TalkSoccer Media Player

Highlights

[Forza_Roma]

Free for all penalties...

Gorgeous blast from Govinco...what a rocket!!!

[LaVecchiaSignora]

videos no longer avail for some reason

[llewelyn]

HT - Italy up 2-0 against South Korea

Rossi and Rocchi with the goals.

Viviano; Motta, Coda, Bocchetti, Criscito; Montolivo, Cigarini, Nocerino; Rossi, Giovinco; Rocchi

[llewelyn]

3-0 final.

Montolivo with the 3rd goal.

Rossi had a great first half.

Montolivo, Nocerino, and Cigarini all played well.

[sinoy1]

Everyone talks about Giovinco(rightly fully so since he is a phenom)But lets focus on the other folks as well.Cigarini had a very very good game imo.The difference between Pirlo and Cigarini is that Cigarini is more physical.He knows how to get stuck in and fight for the ball and win it.Ofcourse Pirlo has more vision but tha will come with time with Cigarini.

Coda and Motta are playing very well.Motta set up the second goal for Rocchi and what a play it was.If you have a chance to see it look at the little flick Motta does to get away from 2 defenders.Top class play.Coda is just there.Always there.No matter what the situation he is reliable and has the vision and understanding to read the game.Watch out for this guy.

Rocchi adds stability.When Aquafresca came in I felt that Italy lost its shape a bit but with Rocchi it seemed like everything was free flowing.Although the 3rd goal was set up by Aquafresca it looked like the foot was off the pedal.

Abate...speed demon.Id like to see more of him.


G.Rossi.I love this dude...but goddamn PASS THE BALL....he made a lovely little reverse flip flap to beat 2 defenders but went for the spectacular shot instead of dribbling and passing since he was so open.Still top class game by him.

Montolivo...we know he's great.he's still playing good

Nocerino.Doesnt have the technical abilities of Cigarini or Monty but adds stability and balance.Funniest moment when a korean hit him in the head the korean guy instantly apologizes knowing he hit the raging bull

Good win.Great game to watch.