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The Azzurrini are the U21 European champions, go them! Like a good pessimist I'm taking it as an omen that the Azzurri won't get out of the group stage. Their group is as much a group of death as any other, Denmark or Sweden could beat them out of a place in the top two.
I'm glad the opener is with Denmark, this is Trap's team: Buffon, Panucci, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Perrotta, Zanetti, Del Piero, Totti, Vieri.
I'm not hugely impressed, I'd rather see Pirlo instead of useless Zanetti and Fiore instead of Camoranesi. Meh, Trap is so bloody anti Milan. I'm just glad they aren't facing Sweden right off, that's going to be a difficult game. Nasty. Little. Zlatan appears to be one of the few strikers that Nessie has real trouble with and he apparently doesn't think much of him personally, "Ibrahimovic can entertain and exasperate is equal measure, frustrating even the most accomplished defenders; Italy's Alessandro Nesta referred to him as "a complete shit" last year." Such language!
The players
Wenger is watching
Francesco Totti comes to Portugal on the back of his best-ever season for Roma. "Totti makes everything look simple," says Trapattoni - except hairdressing, which he makes look quite complicated.
Redknapp is watching
Gennaro Gattuso, because anyone who names Walter Smith as his greatest influence might be tempted from Milan by the promise of working with Jim Smith.
Look out for
Totti looking slightly confused and fidgety as he comes out to play. It is his tradition to flick up his shirt collar as he leaves the tunnel but the current Italy strip does not have one.
Tabloid target
Gianluigi Buffon's colourful past is always ripe for discussion. Accused of having fascist tendencies yet also known for his social work, he claims to have been ordered from his canary-yellow Porsche and beaten by police who mistook him for a hooligan.
Globetrotters or homeboys?
A good Italian boy never likes to be without his mama, which might explain why everyone plays at home.
If only they were born here
Even Italians can find no left-winger, so they would not mind stealing one of Holland's. Rafael van der Vaart?
If they were a screen character... Aggie and Kim from How Clean is Your House?
Impressively efficient and once they go on the attack they are extremely difficult to stop. A combination of hard work and inspiration means few would be surprised if they cleaned up - even if they long ago abandoned a sweeper system. However, people do criticise their theatrical side and the obsession with clean sheets is sometimes to their detriment.
The coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Appearance
A school janitor at a job interview. Greying, grizzled and unnecessarily besuited.
Euro vision
Expect a more attacking mindset than at the last World Cup, where his decision to protect a 1-0 lead against South Korea cost him a place in the quarter-finals and almost his job. England have picked four forwards; Italy have picked six and will start with three.
One of the local papers included a Euro guide today so I'm assuming one of the channels will be airing it. Not sure how much I'll get to see though.
I'm glad the opener is with Denmark, this is Trap's team: Buffon, Panucci, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Perrotta, Zanetti, Del Piero, Totti, Vieri.
I'm not hugely impressed, I'd rather see Pirlo instead of useless Zanetti and Fiore instead of Camoranesi. Meh, Trap is so bloody anti Milan. I'm just glad they aren't facing Sweden right off, that's going to be a difficult game. Nasty. Little. Zlatan appears to be one of the few strikers that Nessie has real trouble with and he apparently doesn't think much of him personally, "Ibrahimovic can entertain and exasperate is equal measure, frustrating even the most accomplished defenders; Italy's Alessandro Nesta referred to him as "a complete shit" last year." Such language!
The players
Wenger is watching
Francesco Totti comes to Portugal on the back of his best-ever season for Roma. "Totti makes everything look simple," says Trapattoni - except hairdressing, which he makes look quite complicated.
Redknapp is watching
Gennaro Gattuso, because anyone who names Walter Smith as his greatest influence might be tempted from Milan by the promise of working with Jim Smith.
Look out for
Totti looking slightly confused and fidgety as he comes out to play. It is his tradition to flick up his shirt collar as he leaves the tunnel but the current Italy strip does not have one.
Tabloid target
Gianluigi Buffon's colourful past is always ripe for discussion. Accused of having fascist tendencies yet also known for his social work, he claims to have been ordered from his canary-yellow Porsche and beaten by police who mistook him for a hooligan.
Globetrotters or homeboys?
A good Italian boy never likes to be without his mama, which might explain why everyone plays at home.
If only they were born here
Even Italians can find no left-winger, so they would not mind stealing one of Holland's. Rafael van der Vaart?
If they were a screen character... Aggie and Kim from How Clean is Your House?
Impressively efficient and once they go on the attack they are extremely difficult to stop. A combination of hard work and inspiration means few would be surprised if they cleaned up - even if they long ago abandoned a sweeper system. However, people do criticise their theatrical side and the obsession with clean sheets is sometimes to their detriment.
The coach: Giovanni Trapattoni
Appearance
A school janitor at a job interview. Greying, grizzled and unnecessarily besuited.
Euro vision
Expect a more attacking mindset than at the last World Cup, where his decision to protect a 1-0 lead against South Korea cost him a place in the quarter-finals and almost his job. England have picked four forwards; Italy have picked six and will start with three.
One of the local papers included a Euro guide today so I'm assuming one of the channels will be airing it. Not sure how much I'll get to see though.