TEAMS: Italy

Few teams play with more passion and pride than the Italians. Although they have not won the World Cup since 1982, they did make the final in 1994 where they lost to Brazil on penalties after Roberto Baggio's infamous penalty miss. Tipped by many to go all the way at France 98, the Italians crashed out in he quarter finals. This however has not affected team performances and morale as the excellent peformance in Euro 2000 showed, losing out to a Golden Goal in the Final, after being only seconds from winning the competition in normal time. There is no question about the talent in the squad with the likes of Christian Vieri, a £31million striker, and Allessandro Del Piero, as well as the ever efficient Paolo Maldini. Few countries have a more experienced World Cup pedigree than the Italians. Previously they have competed in sixteen World Cup tournaments, including France, and have taken the trophy home on three occasions. They have also been finalists twice, losing in both matches to Brazil in 1970 4-1 and in 1994 when they lost on penalties. After qualifying with ease for Japan and South Korea, Italy will no doubt be amongs the favourites to lift the World Cup for the fourth time. And with retiring Paolo Maldini yet to win a major trophy with his country, it is a sure bet that Italy will do their utmost to send their legendary captain into a happy international retirement.

The Squad

Gianluigi Buffon ** Position: GK DOB:28/1/78 Club: Juventus	Christian Abbiati Position: GK DOB:8/7/77 Club: AC Milan	Francesco Toldo Position: GK DOB:2/12/71 Club: Inter Milan
Christian Panucci Position: DF DOB:12/4/73 Club: AS Roma	Paolo Maldini ** Position: DF DOB:26/6/68 Club: AC Milan	Fabio Cannavaro Position: DF DOB:13/9/73 Club: Parma
Alessandro Nesta ** Position: DF DOB:19/3/76 Club: Lazio	Mark Iuliano Position: DF DOB:12/8/73 Club: Juventus	Marco Materazzi Position: DF DOB:19/8/73 Club: Inter Milan
Francesco Coco Position: DF DOB:8/1/77 Club: Barcelona	Cristiano Zanetti Position: MID DOB:14/4/77 Club: Inter Milan	Gennaro Gattuso Position: MID DOB:9/1/78 Club: AC Milan
Francesco Totti ** Position: MID/FW DOB:27/9/76 Club: AS Roma	Christiano Doni Position: MID DOB:1/4/73 Club: Atalanta	Luigi Di Biagio Position: MID DOB:6/3/71 Club: Inter Milan
Angelo Di Livio Position: FW DOB:26/7/66 Club: Fiorentina	Damiano Tomassi Position: FW DOB:17/5/74 Club: AS Roma	Gianluca Zambrotta Position: MID DOB:19/2/77 Club: Juventus
Alessandro Del Piero Position: FW DOB:9/11/74 Club:Juventus	Filippo Inzaghi Position: FW DOB:9/8/73 Club: AC Milan	Marco Delvecchio Position: FW DOB:7/4/73 Club: AS Roma
Vincenzo Montella ** Position: FW DOB:18/6/74 Club: AS Roma	Christian Vieri ** Position: FW DOB:12/4/73 Club: Inter Milan

KEY: (GK-Goalkeeper, DF-Defender, MID-Midfield, FW-Forward)
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