I disagree with you jefri, Osvaldo was awful again and has been subed.

Best player so far is Abate, he almost assisted right now with yet another beautiful cross

Wow..is he just in good form...or has he really been this good?

I just started watching since the 2nd half, so you're probably are right

Abate is fantastic. I wish we would go for him. He is a good option and can be slowly molded into our squad. Eventhough he is a winger, i wonder if we could play him as a WB or SB?

I don't know you'll have to ask Tennie about that. Id love to see highlights for this game later. You'll see how well he's playing. Especially that run he made

Looking forward to seeing the game (I get the replay late tonight).

But now you can see (at least Jefri can) why I was comparing his runs to Cafu's. He's really blossomed at this tournament. Abate was always fast, but...there's something extra now.

Well, Abate showing that he can't dribble, he's fast but can't dribble. I think that's a huge problem for a winger!

Giovinco playing very unselfishly - _-

Good match, Italy win on penalties.
That penalty was absolute genius
I forgot the guy's name , Creveda or something like that

It was a panenka

Italy go through deservedly, Pele missed an incredible chance at the 93rd and Bassi made a great penalty save

The final will be Italy-Mexico, will the Italian win it after two lost finals? There's a saying in French that says (Ok, I say twice "say", this is my 4th, but I think you got what I mean ) "jamais deux sans trois"

Anyone knows the English equivalent?

^^

Third time is the charm?

Didnt watch the whole game (or even most of the shootout for that matter)

Italy won 5-4 on Penalties with Candreva scoring a wonderful cucchiaio goal. (will try to look for highlights later). Bassi made a wonderful save from Japans no7 which was not too disimilar to Frey's save in one of Fio UEFA matches.

Giovinco scored the winning penalty in a calm and composed manner.

Italy are worthy winners and will face Chile in the final. Third place playoff (and final) will be on thursday. 3rd will be between CIV and Japan

Final will be broadcasted 20:45 CET with 3rd place playoff a few hours before

'triti ke farmakeri'

Ah. good to see that Candreva has redeemed himself. He's the guy that got a straight red only a few minutes after coming on in the game v. Turkey.

Italy vs Japan Shootout

Youtube Shootout

CIV are currently beating Japan 1-0 in the third place playoff

Italy match with Chile due to kick off in about one hour

And Japan have just equalized.

Ivory Coast won after the penalty shootouts (FT. 2-2), they equalized at the 94th minutes

Italy won Toulon's tournament for the first time after 3 finals. They beat Chile 1-0, Osvaldo scored the goal (he seems to score the important goals, he's the one who scored the 4th place goal for la Fiorentina).

Oh and Marzoratti didn't play.

For the info!

Italy's U-19 has qualified for the final stages (last eight teams) of European championship. They were winners in 2003 and this is their first appearance in the finals in four years. In the last qualifying round (Elite round) they beat Sweden, Switzerland and France - all with 2-0. Paloschi scored against Sweden and Switzerland.
Also 3 other players from our youth system have taken part in this games. Darmian and Bruscagin (both defenders, class 89) have played all 3 games, while our youngest player (is said to be one of the most talented defenders - Albertazzi - who is also Italy's U-17 captain, class 91 and is already playing for our primavera although he is 2 years younger) has played the whole game against Switzerland and the second half against France. With Milan young defenders Italy didn't concede a single goal !

For the moment it looks like we have a bright future ahead of us - at least for our defence.

If you are interested here are the dates:
Final tournament - Group stage 14 - 20 July 2008
Semi-finals 23 July 2008
Final 26 July 2008

Barcelona may not let Messi take part of the Olympic games!!!
They said if they had any chance to keep him home to play the CL preliminary tour, they'll do it! They'll talk with the Argentinian FA tough ...

I don't really rate the Olympics anyways, I prefer just general U21 competitions.

Barcelona cannot do that. I think...

I think this is the next young tournement coming up, involving Italy, England, Spain, germany plus other nations.

2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
Hosts: Czech Republic
Holders: Spain

Group A
Spain (7 times winners)
Germany (4)
Bulgaria (3)
Hungary (4)

Fixtures
14 July 17:30 Bulgaria - Hungary
14 July 19:30 Germany - Spain
17 July 18:00 Spain - Hungary
17 July 20:30 Germany - Bulgaria
20 July 20:00 Hungary - Germany
20 July 20:00 Spain - Bulgaria

Group B
England (9 times winners)
Italy (2)
Czech Republic (1)
Greece (0)

Fixtures
14 July 17:30 Czech Republic - England
14 July 19:30 Greece - Italy
17 July 18:00 Czech Republic - Greece
17 July 20:00 England - Italy
20 July 20:00 Italy - Czech Republic
20 July 20:00 England Greece

Certainly going to keep an eye on this one as highly rated Villa prospect Ciaran Clark is captaining an England team which also has Scott Sinclair (Chelsea), Daniel Sturridge (Man City) and Freddy Sears (West Ham), 3 young strikers who already have EPL experience with their respective teams.

The little Azzurrini have gone to pre-tournament training for this tournament. There are FOUR Milan players called up: defenders Albertazzi, Bruscagin, and Darmian and striker Paloschi.

I wish them all the best! (Except when they play us).

Here's the call up list for the Italian Olympic team:

Abate (Milan), Acquafresca (Cagliari), Bocchetti (Genoa), Cadreva ( Udinese), Cigarini (Parma), Coda (Udinese), Consigli (Atalanta), Criscito (Genoa), De Ceglie (Juventus), De Silvestri (Lazio), Dessena (Parma), Giovinco (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta ( Udinese), Nocerino (Palermo), Ranocchia (Arezzo), Rocchi (Lazio), Rossi (Villarreal), Russotto (Treviso), Sirigiu (Città di Castello,) Viviano ( Brescia).

Lazio's Tomasso Rocchi is the only over-23 player called.

Here's the final list of the little Azzurrini to take part in the U19 championships that start next week.

Portieri: Fiorillo (Sampdoria), Pinsoglio (Juventus);
Difensori: Albertazzi (Milan), Bruscagin (Milan), Darmian (Milan), Formiconi (Udinese), Gentili (Atalanta), Marchetti (Real Montecchio); Tagliani (Fiorentina);
Centrocampisti: Bonaventura (Atalanta), Forestieri (Siena), Mazzarani (Cisco Roma), Poli (Sampdoria), Raggio (Genoa);
Attaccanti: (Eusepi (Genoa), Okaka (Modena), Paloschi (Milan), Zamblera (Newcastle United).

All FOUR of Milan's players made the final cut.

Forza Azzurrini!

Looks like Milan have a new generation of defenders coming through then.

I sure hope so, Kurt.

Note: Albertazzi is only 17 and was the youngest player in the Milan primavera by a year (he's almost exactly a year younger than Paloschi).

Moving this one out of the archive as it seems the logical thread in which to discuss the upcoming Olympic football competition.

Today in a pre-Olympic friendly, Italy drew 1-1 with Romania. Italy's goal was scored by Giuseppe Rossi. Montolivo was sick and didn't play. Abate, the lone rossoneri on the squad, came on in the 60th for Rossi.

There were a lot of changes by Casiraghi in the second half, but the basic formation was a 4-3-3 (or 4-3-2-1 if you prefer) with Tomasso Rocchi as the target man and (at the start) Rossi and Giovinco supporting him.

So who are the players over 23 that he chose?

The 18 squad members are: Abate (Milan), Acquafresca (Cagliari), Bocchetti (Genoa), Cigarini (Parma), Coda (Udinese), Consigli (Atalanta), Criscito (Genoa), De Ceglie (Juventus), De Silvestri (Lazio), Dessena (Parma), Giovinco (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta (Udinese), Nocerino (Palermo), Rocchi (Lazio), Rossi (Villareal), Viviano (Brescia). The 4 reserves are: Candreva, Ranocchia, Russotto, Sirigu

Rocchi is the only over-23 player in the squad.

That's quite a decent squad, they should do well. Who's in their group, or has the draw not been made?

Italy are in Group D along with South Korea, Cameroon, and Honduras.

Programming note.

Italy-Honduras will be broadcast live in the US on Telemundo, starting at 4.30am (ow!) Thursday morning. The USA-Japan match will start at 5am Thursday on MSNBC.

It appears that Brazil's first game will not be shown live in the US (at least I can't find it).

Minor concern for the Azzurri: Giuseppe Rossi trained separately today. He's got some sort of back problem, but Casiraghi thinks he'll be available for Thursday's game.

Just in case anyone missed the news, here's the NY Times article on the subject.

August 6, 2008
European Soccer Clubs Win Appeal to Withhold Players
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 8:02 a.m. ET

BEIJING (AP) -- Three European soccer clubs Wednesday won their appeal to keep their players out of the Olympic soccer tournament.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Lionel Messi of Argentina and Diego and Rafinha, both of Brazil, can be withheld from the Beijing Games. Soccer's governing body previously ruled the players must be released for the Olympics because they are under 23.

Messi plays for FC Barcelona, Diego for Werder Bremen and Rafinha for Schalke.

CAS secretary-general Matthieu Reeb said the ruled for the clubs because the Olympic tournament is not on FIFA's match calendar, and because there was no evidence FIFA's executive board obliged the clubs to release the players.

FIFA ruled July 30 that the players must be released for the Olympic tournament because they are under 23.

The ruling in sport's highest court could be bad news for countries relying on young talent. Other powerful clubs like Liverpool, which was reluctant to release Ryan Babel to the Netherlands, could ask young players to return.

"Theoretically the clubs could ask their players to go back to Europe because they would be entitled to do so," Reeb said. "And if the players do not come back there could be a case of a breach of contract."

Reeb urged the clubs and FIFA to sit down and negotiate a deal.

"It is now the moment for everyone to sit at the table and find a reasonable solution," Reeb said. "Of course, this could affect the tournament and it's in the interest of nobody to destroy what could be an extraordinary tournament this year. But this is a matter for clubs, FIFA and the players to decide."

In fact, Argentina coach Sergio Batista said Lionel Messi wants to play for the country's Olympic football team.

He said Messi "will be on the start list for tomorrow from the beginning, and I am sure he can be here with us for the rest of the competition."

The men's soccer tournament starts Thursday, a day before the opening ceremony. The women's tournament started Wednesday.

"This decision does not affect the eligibility status of the players who have been validly entered by their national Olympic committee and who remain fully eligible to compete" in the Beijing Olympics, CAS said.

The three-member panel of the top court of international sports consisted of Efraim Barak of Israel and Michele Bernasconi and Ralph Zloczower, both of Switzerland.

"FIFA is surprised and disappointed by this decision, but we respect it," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a statement. "Nevertheless, I appeal to the clubs: 'Let your players take part in the Olympic Games. It would be an act of solidarity in perfect harmony with the Olympic spirit."'

FIFA said Blatter sent a message to the three teams appealing for them to let the players compete.

"The Olympic football tournaments are a unique opportunity for a player as they are high-level competitions that give everyone involved, most notably young players, the chance to gain international experience that will stand them in good stead for the future," Blatter said. "I regret that the CAS has not taken the Olympic spirit into consideration."

The men's Olympic tournament is for players 23 and under, with three exceptions for older players. But Barcelona and the German clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke complained they do not want to lose their players for the start of the season.

Barcelona and Schalke are to play Champions League qualifying matches during the Olympics, and they could lose out on millions if they fail to reach the group stage.

Reeb also said there was nothing to prohibit other clubs from challenging FIFA and getting their players back from the Olympic tournament.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had been reluctant to release Ryan Babel to the Netherlands, and could use the ruling to call the forward back to England.

Does that mean Messi will have to go back to Barca camp? that's unbelievable. they're damaging their good relationship with the player... forcing him to miss out on his desire that is to play for his country?...

The way I read it, the CAS ruled that Barca and Schalke and Bremen are not obligated to release their U23 players for the Olympics because the Olympics aren't on the FIFA calendar (which was a massive balls up by FIFA).

Whether the clubs actually recall the players that're already in China...that's another question.

That's a wise decision by the CAS. Regarding the current legal position the countries have no right to demand those players for such a tournament as the Olympics. And the best thing about it is Sepp Blablas defeat. Can't say how much I despise this guy.
Also a club like Schalke needs Rafinha in the league and, even more important, the CL qualifier against Athletico. Having him or not might make a huge difference in terms of income.

So I really did make it up at....5am to watch the football.

It's HT and Italy are doing rather well. They lead Honduras 2-0. Giovinco scored the first (lovely long distance shot) and Giuseppe Rossi the second (a penalty). Abate hasn't played yet, but he may make an appearance in the second half. Tomasso Rocchi has a slight injury and Acquafresca started in his place. So far, Giovinco has been the danger man for the Azzurri.

The other games (US-Japan, Brazil-Belgium, and Australia-Serbia) are scoreless at the half.

FT results for the first four games:

Italy 3 - 0 Honduras
Brazil 1 - 0 Belgium
USA 1 - 0 Japan
Australia 1 - 1 Serbia

Italy's 3d goal was another penalty, this one taken by Acquafresca. Abate came on for Rossi in the 60th and did rather well aside from collecting a silly yellow in injury time. De Silvestri conceded a penalty (foul in the box) but it went probably 3 meters over the bar.

Brazil's game was hardly scintillating, at least judging from the text commentary (it wasn't being shown on television here). Belgium put up a good fight until Kompany (their captain and best player) got sent off in the 71st for a second bookable offense. Goal by Hernanes in the 78th. Belgium's Fellaini was also sent off, in the 86th.

Holden scored the goal for the US.

Rajkovic scored for Serbia and (sorry not sure) scored for Australia.

Err... how else do you concede a penalty?


A fella named Zadkovich scored for Australia.

@GrinReaper: Well, I guess handball? Though that is a foul play, not exactly a physcial foul.

But handball is also a "foul in the box". Though, I guess if someone conceded a penalty by spitting at the ref or hurling choicest of abuses at him or a player, that would be an option. But wait, I think that results in a red card for the offending player and an indirect free-kick from just outside the box

I'm watching the Dutch vs Nigeria ...


An entertaining match .. Though still 0-0 @ the 63rd minute ...

Nigeria have some real good players, been a long time since I'v seen a good Nigerian team since, hmm probably WC 94.

While the Dutch have a really good team here .. With Babel, Drenthe, and Snoe from Celtic



UPDATE: Korea just scored against Cameroon

Wow Cameroon score an equalizer ... Great build up by them before that goal!

Not sure if it's been posted, but on SSN they're saying Barca will let Messi stay with the Argentina team.