oh, so he should not play for inter after WC,
others team are better,

Lituania-Italia, probabili formazioni
Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Materazzi, Tonetto, Quagliarella, De Rossi, Pirlo, Perrotta, Di Natale, Inzaghi. All: Donadoni
http://sports.alice.it/it/cmc/calcio/200723/cmc_110301.html

no gattuso??
and toni?
iaquinta??

This post has been edited by scorps: Jun 6 2007, 10:01 PM

Updated: June 6, 2007, 8:00 AM UK
Lithuania 0-2 Italy: Quagliarella double


KAUNAS, Lithuania, June 6 (Reuters) - Two superb strikes from Fabio Quagliarella on his first start gave Italy a 2-0 win over Lithuania in a Euro 2008 Group B qualifier on Wednesday.

The result keeps the Azzurri in second spot as they head towards September's home clash with leaders France.

Sampdoria striker Quagliarella lashed home from the edge of the penalty area with his left foot in the 31st minute after cutting inside from the right wing.

The 23-year-old, only a late substitute in his previous two appearances, then scored with a delightful dipping effort on the stroke of halftime to settle Italy's nerves after a difficult start.

'I tried to pay back the faith shown in me by the manager and my team mates,' Quagliarella told Rai television.

Lithuania, who drew 1-1 in Italy in September, had matched the world champions in the early stages but lost their way after going behind.

'Since the other match (against Lithuania), the team has grown a lot and last time we were not in the right condition,' said Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.

He made several changes from Saturday's laboured 2-1 win in the Faroe Islands and his side looked more dangerous throughout, although it took Quagliarella to really liven them up.

Donadoni stuck with three up front when attacking and five in midfield when defending but brought in Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale as the wide forwards in place of Alessandro Del Piero and Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi.

Filippo Inzaghi, who scored both goals in the Faroes, continued as the lone striker while the midfield included Daniele De Rossi and Simone Perrotta instead of Gennaro Gattuso and Aimo Diana.

At first the system was again ineffective with the wide forwards looking unaccustomed to their positions but eventually Italy asserted themselves after resisting some good pressure from the home side.

Marius Stankevicius was the pick of the Lithuania side, hitting a freekick just over before almost pushing Gianluigi Buffon back into his goal with another fearsome effort which the Italy goalkeeper did well to get behind.

The Italians came closest to scoring more goals, however, with Udinese's Di Natale losing his composure and missing two clear-cut chances either side of the break.

Inzaghi almost continued his excellent scoring form when he lifted the ball over advancing Lithuania keeper Paulius Grybauskas only to see it dribble past the post.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197368&cc=4716

funny,right??

video clip for goals Italy vs Lithuania

Ambrosini: It wasn't easy

Football Italia

Massimo Ambrosini is pleased with Italy's 2-0 win over Lithuania in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier. "It wasn't easy to find the right motivation."

The Azzurri dominated the match thanks to a brace from Fabio Quagliarella, which allows the Nazionale to go into the summer break in second place in Group B, behind France and ahead of Scotland.

"It was important to give consistency to the win we obtained against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday, which had failed to impress and left everyone a bit disappointed," said Ambrosini.

"It wasn't easy to find the right motivation and determination, we are at the end of an intense season," added the Milan midfielder, who came on for Simone Perrotta 20 minutes before the final whistle.

Italy will start next season with a rematch of the World Cup Final against France on September 8 in what could be the decisive game of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

But that game has caused controversy in the Azzurri ranks over when the new Serie A season should start, in order to allow the players to better prepare for that crucial qualifier.

"It is not up to us to decide whether we should start on August 19 or 26," insisted the Champions League winner.

"There are many people who are discussing this issue. I don't really think that starting a week earlier or a week later will make any difference," concluded Ambrosini.

http://www.acmilan-online.com/cgi-bin/news...181254573,22875,

08/06/2007 9.20
Convincing Performances For Italy, Confirms Del Piero

The Juventus forward was especially happy with the performance of the Azzurri against Lithuania.

Alessandro Del Piero expressed a positive judgement at the two games played by the Italian national side in the past week against Faroe Islands and Lithuania, especially for Wednesday night's match.

"It was a very positive match at Kaunas. A convincing and lively performance, where we showed off our quality, harmony and ease in all departments.

"Thanks to that result we held on to the second place in the group, a position which will allow us to face France with tranquillity, in the next appointment for the Azzurri on the 8th of September."

However, now Del Piero wants to think about Juventus and the final Serie B match.

"Now it's the moment to think in Bianconero, and honour the last match in Serie B, on Sunday at home against Spezia: also for this we have thought of a unique and suggestive event, that is the exhibition-training which will be held on Friday afternoon in Piazza Vittorio in Turin.

"A feast open to all fans, but especially an important occasion to help the 'Fondazione Crescere' (Growth Foundation) at the Sant'Ann Onlus."

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=323188

10/06/2007 6.32
Serie B: Who Will Join Juventus In Serie A?

In this last matchday of Serie B, there are various possible scenarios which will give a thrilling ending to an excellent season.

Genoa and Napoli will be battling it out at the Marassi stadium for the second place in the standings which would mean automatic promotion to the Italian topflight. The third placed team will have to take part in the promotion playoffs unless it has ten or more points than fourth placed Piacenza.

The many possible solutions make this last matchday very intriguing and open for any outcome. With just one point dividing the Grifoni from the Partenopei, whoever wins the Marassi match will go automatically to Serie A and the loser will most likely end up playing in the playoffs instead of gaining what would have probably been a deserved promotion.


http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=324436

10/06/2007 18.08
Genoa And Napoli Join Juventus In Serie A

There were eight bookings in a fiery encounter, but a goalless draw between Genoa and Napoli was enough to guarantee them both promotion to Italy's top flight.

Napoli finished second as a result, and Genoa third, but the latter avoided a promotion play-off thanks to an unexpected slip-up elsewhere.

Fourth placed Piacenza's rather unexpected 1-1 home draw against Triestina meant that Genoa finished ten points clear of them, and thus sealed automatic promotion.

Rightly so too, as the Juventus, Napoli and Genoa have been the three best teams in Serie B by some distance!

Juve lost 2-3 at home to Spezia, but still finished six points clear at the top of the table.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=324761

Updated: June 11, 2007, 8:00 AM UK
Serbia 1-0 Italy: Fancied Azzurri crash

AMSTERDAM, June 11 (Reuters) - Serbia upset favourites Italy after Dejan Milovanovic struck a low drive to secure a 1-0 win in their European Under-21 Group B clash in Nijmegen on Monday.

Italy impressed with their attacking form at the De Goffert stadium and looked stronger through much of a fast-paced game but it was Serbia, the highest scoring team in the qualifiers, who broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute.

The Italians tried hard to carve out an equaliser but failed to find the net despite a series of opportunities.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=218925&cc=4716

6/11/2007 10:42 PM
Under-21: Palladino The Culprit As Italy Stunned By Plucky Serbia Serbia 1-0 Italy

A 63rd minute strike from Dejan Milovanović saw Serbia claim a famous win over tournament favourites Italy.


It was a slow first half that Italy had shaded through better possession and play, but some resolute defending from Serbia, and poor finishing from Raffaele Palladino (Juventus) meant that there was precious little to talk about as the teams headed into the break.

Things improved in the second half as Italy got more balls into dangerous areas. However, that final bit of inspiration was missing, leaving them with nothing to show for their efforts.

Then, disaster struck!

A sloppy clearance following a left wing cross from Zoran Tosic (FC Banat) saw the ball fall to Dejan Milovanovic (Red Star Belgrade) 25 yards out, and the Serbian number 10 drilled a fearsome effort past substitute Emiliano Viviano (Brescia) to leave the Azzurrini with their heads between their hands.

Serbia had put in an organized defensive display, but Italy will have only themselves to blame after missing a number of chances, with Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) and Palladino disappointing one and all.

It was a pity for Rosina (Torino), though, as the creative youngster was a livewire throughout the game, and created a number of chances from the right, or by cutting inside towards his favoured left foot.

The defeat leaves Italy at the bottom of the group, and Serbia on top.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=325683
Italy must now face England on Thursday, when another loss could mean an early exit for the Azzurrini. Serbia, meanwhile, go top, and can qualify with a win over the Czech Republic in three days' time.

This post has been edited by scorps: Jun 12 2007, 06:31 PM

6/14/2007 6:25 AM
Italy Demand Clear Decision From Totti

A meeting was held this week between Riva, Abete and Donadoni to discuss various things related to the national side, including Totti's future with the Azzurri.

Gigi Riva explained what the meeting he had with Abete and Donadoni was all about and the main points discussed.

"We made the point on the situation at the end of the season. We discussed Totti, Nesta's farewell, results, the next program and the friendly match with Hungary in August."

The main theme was obviously related to Francesco Totti and what his present and future situation with the Azzurri is.

"The matter will be faced shortly, but since there are no call-ups right now, there is time to find a definite solution.

"We will talk with Totti and we will hear what he thinks, to see how things stand. However, there's nothing that will happen soon. Totti will let us know what he wants to do, it must be him who gives a response.

"It's clear that there must be no doubts, there must only be a clear decision," warned Riva.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=327597

6/19/2007
Sampdoria "Sign" Quagliarella



Sampdoria have secured Udinese's half of Fabio Quagliarella's registration, thus becoming the sole owners of the red hot Italian international.

Both clubs had 50% of the striker's registration, which was also complicating a summer move for the player himself, with none of the big clubs keen to haggle with two parties.

Udinese and Sampdoria both wanted to buy the remaining half, keen to make a big profit by selling him to a bigger club.

However, Udinese's tight financial situation seems to have told. They had indicated yesterday that they would be ready to sell the player if the price was right, and Sampdoria have moved to secure him.

A 6 million euro deal has been struck between the clubs, which could well turn out to be quite a bargain for Samp.

The agreement was reached between Udinese director general Pietro Leonardi and Samdoria general manager Beppe Marotta this evening, and a confirmation is expected soon.

This should clear the way for teams to bid for the striker, who is being followed by Roma, Inter, Juventus and Manchester United, and is rated at at around 15-20 million.
http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=332126

6/19/2007
Cannavaro Eyes Serie A Return

The newly crowned Spanish champion told 'La Stampa' that he wouldn't mind a return to Italy, in particular to Napoli.



Fabio Cannavaro is open for a return to Italy. He confirmed this to the Italian daily newspaper 'La Stampa', where he declared that Napoli would top his list of preferences to end his career with the Partenopei.

"The contract that I signed with Calderon expires in two years time. I confess that I wouldn't mind returning (back to Italy), and closing my career, maybe with Napoli.

"However, I doubt that the De Laurentiis project includes me, and therefore I prefer not to interfere."

There is the possibility that Fabio Capello does not remain at Real Madrid, but Cannavaro stated that his future does not depend on his coach.

"I signed for Real, not for Capello," said the Italian national team captain who is coming from three magical years where he won three league titles (2 with Juventus, 1 with Real Madrid) and the World Cup.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=331504

6/21/2007
Suazo May Face Ban


David Suazo and Inter could face sanctions if chairman Massimo Moratti's claims that the player signed a contract with the Nerazzurri are true.




After Massimo Moratti's claims that David Suazo signed a contract with them, there could be consequences for both player and club, if his words are true.

The Cagliari player seemed set to join the Nerazzurri, but in a shocking development Milan reached an agreement with the club for £10m. Inter were furious about this and president Moratti told several TV stations that there was a signed agreement proving their deal.

Moratti may have shot himself in the foot with these claims, because it is illegal for a player to put pen to paper on a contract when he is still owned by another club.

An investigation has officially been opened into the matter and both parties risk sanctions now. If Suazo signed a contract before Cagliari released him, he could be suspended and Inter would also get a fine.

Inter Coach Roberto Mancini was shocked by this turn of events, after he came to know of Suazo's transfer to Milan through journalists.

"I am astonished and speechless by all this", he told 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'. "I don't know what to say. What happened? Ask the President, nobody told me anything."

Meanwhile, it is rumoured Inter intend to hit back at their cousins for this snub by trying to sign Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona, allegedly also a target for the Rossoneri. The Milan management confirmed several times the Cameroonian star is their main transfer target, with Suazo an alternative to the Camp Nou hitman.

Moratti's club would be allegedly willing to offer Adriano and Walter Samuel as part of an exchange deal, which may give them the advantage over Milan. In any case, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed that with the signing of Suazo they will not be getting any other players over the summer.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=333065

FIGC: Suazo risks six-month ban

Football Italia

David Suazo risks a six-month ban after signing a contract with Inter before the clubs had reached an agreement, warn the FIGC.

"Both Suazo and Massimo Moratti said that a contract had already been signed," noted Mario Stagliano, the former Vice-President of the Federation investigative committee.

"If that is the case, then even if it was torn up later, the crime was admitted by both parties and so a punishment is applicable.

"According to the regulations, the player and the President must be suspended or face some form of sanction. The maximum ban is six months."

The Nerazzurri confirmed that they had penned a personal deal with the striker even though Cagliari had not formally sold him yet.

So when Milan came in and secured a £10m transfer with the Sardinians, they found him already promised to the other side of the San Siro.

This morning the Rossoneri officially pulled out of the agreement with Cagliari because of that personal contract, but the matter could well not be over with yet.

http://www.acmilan-online.com/

This post has been edited by scorps: Jun 24 2007, 01:23 AM