The Official Azzurri thread

[p_maldini_3]

WC 2010: Draw smiles on Azzurri
Sunday 25 November, 2007
Italy have drawn Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in 2010 World Cup qualifying Group 8.

The Azzurri were one of the nine seeds in the European draw for the qualifying round that was performed this afternoon in Durban.

They were assigned to Group 8 and avoided all the potential banana skins, such as England and Scotland.

Instead their toughest opponents would appear to be Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland, neither of them qualified for Euro 2008.

Georgia were also in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and were beaten home and away, while Montenegro and Cyprus are not expected to cause many problems.

Although they won the trophy in Germany in 2006, the Azzurri must still go through the qualifying process.

Only hosts South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals.

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

[Zoff82]

[morra10]

[Lombardiamia]

[Lombardiamia]

GRUPPO A

Svizzera
Repubblica Ceca
Turchia
Portogallo

GRUPPO B

Austria
Croazia
Polonia
Germania

GRUPPO C

Olanda
Italia
Francia
Romania

GRUPPO D

Grecia
Svezia
Russia
Spagna

[vtec]

wow, group c is stacked. these euros are shaping up to be a great tournament; some really good games on the horizon. it really is a toss up who will advance from group c.

[Lombardiamia]

I'm actually happy with this group. The fear for any Italian supporter is that of facing easy opponents, since when we lack motivation,we tend to find ourself in difficulty.Whe we face big sides, we give our all, and honestly, when we give our all we're second to no one. Bring them on,I'm pretty sure we'll pass this group.

[The MAN]

Group C is not the group of Death, it is Crazy. If you're an Azzurri fan though, this is exactly what the team needs. Italia always does well in strong, tight groups and go far in those tournaments, and mess up badly in easy groups and lesser known teams

I expect 3-4 games to end in a draw but eventuallty Italy and France to qualify to the 1/4 final and then to semis...Holland lacks experience, and even though they now have Seedorf back on the scene, they will likely crack and IMO will finish last in the group....playing Spain(the ultimate chokers with England) and any team in that group should not be a problem in the quarters, so whoever emerges out of this group will go to the semis at least, and I expect Germany and Croatia to be there as well

Oh, and Euro > WC

[Zoff82]

You kidding me MAN?? Any team would gladly trade their Euro for a WC. It is a tough group though.

[The MAN]

In terms of prestige, WC is more, but Euros are stronger and have more quality games

[marco]

ya, i'm not so sure that many teams value the euro more than the world cup...especially when you have teams like greece or denmark winning it.

[Bagg10]

wow... uefa didnt hold back on skrewing italy over..again..

[juventino_italiano]

[p_maldini_3]

[juventino_italiano]

[morra10]

[Lombardiamia]

[morra10]

[marco]

[marco]