2010 was a bad year for Italian football. I tried to think of the positives, but very few came to mind. A disastrous World Cup in South Africa, a bad showing in the Europa League, and only a Champions League victory (guided by a Portuguese mastermind) which retains some dignity for Italian football. While […]

After the Italy – Serbia match was abandoned due to fan trouble, people were unsure what UEFA would do about the entire situation. But UEFA have decided, and there will be punishment for both sides, not just for Serbia. Here's an official UEFA statement regarding their decision. "The Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to […]

A disappointing result for Italy, a 0-0 draw with plenty of wasted opportunities from the Azzurri. While there were some positives to take from this match, Prandelli really needs to teach his side how to finish off opportunities. The entire team was slightly hesitant, and against a well supported Northern Ireland team in their own […]

Spain limps into their second Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania, as injuries forced five of their usual call-ups from participating in La Furia Roja's two upcoming fixtures.  Cèsc Fabregas, Fernando Torres, Pedro Rodríguez, and Jesús Navas all have different knocks and nicks, but the man that Vicente del Bosque will miss the most is the […]

Now that Italy have won their first match of the EURO 2012 qualifiers against Estonia, it's time to look ahead. The group which Italy have been put in isn't difficult, but it could cause some unexpected results and slip-ups if the Azzurri aren't careful. Probably the most dangerous teams in the group are Serbia, Northern […]

Italy have begun to forget about Lippi and the World Cup failure, the team has new faces and is beginning to click under Cesare Prandelli. The first qualifying match for the European Championships Poland/Ukraine 2012 was against Estonia, and while Prandelli couldn't use Balotelli, Buffon, and a few other important players, Italy were able to […]

As the new Serie A season pauses this weekend for national teams to begin their qualifying for Euro 2012, Italian soccer fans may feel lost not being able to watch their favorite club.  To be honest, the Italy-Estonia qualifier looks less than tantalizing only two months after the exciting World Cup match-ups and high-level play.  […]

Bari, a city on the heel of the Italian boot, is an excellent market for Serie A and Italian soccer and the type of club that should be a mainstay in Serie A.  The metropolitan area is home to over 1.6 million Italians and Stadio San Nicola was one of the modern stadiums built prior to the […]

The Congress Hall of the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, Poland held the draw for UEFA Euro 2012 on Sunday afternoon, and while there is no clear consensus about a "group of death" among the nine groups, Spain's group would not be considered in contention for that infamous moniker. Spain was chosen in […]

The Azzurri will be in Group C along with Serbia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Estonia and Faroe Islands. While the last three teams should not pose a threat to the Italians, the main threat will be coming from both Serbia and Slovenia. Italy tends to struggle against weaker opposition so it would be wrong to dismiss […]

  When Manchester City signed Shay Given from Newcastle on Sunday, most at Eastlands will have been pleased by this capture. But not quite everyone.  Given will instantly become City’s first choice goalkeeper, displacing Joe Hart. This in turn will leave the young goalkeeper as nothing more than a bench warmer, at least for the […]