Founded: 1898 UEFA Affiliated: 1954 EURO Appearances: 7 EURO Titles: 1 (1968) Italy have proven over years that they can overcome different sorts of problems to emerge winners at the end. That was the case prior to the 1982 World Cup when some national team players, including star Paolo Rossi, were involved in match-fixing and illegal betting scandals. Despite the unhealthy atmosphere in the Serie A, Italy managed to win the most important trophy in the world after overcoming Germany in the final. Recent history has also demonstrated this fact. Another match-fixing scandal tarnished the image of Italian football just before the 2006 World Cup in Germany. But once again Italy defied the odds and went on to claim the title after a penalty shootout win over France. Maybe this time the problem is not as serious as the preceding two, but it is of special significance. Curiously, it is a technical one. Many Serie A teams failed to show their top-flight credentials and competition at the top was never exciting, even when Roma came close to overtaking Inter. Quality was poor; stadiums were almost empty in the majority of matches. Furthermore, none of the Italian teams managed to impress in European competitions. The Champions League semi-finals did not feature a single Italian team after AC Milan, Roma and Inter Milan were eliminated at earlier stages. Fiorentina were knocked out of the UEFA Cup semi-finals at the hands of Scotland's Glasgow Rangers. Italy will have to rise above these technical problems if they are to win their second prestigious trophy in the space of two years to match the feat achieved by France in 1998 and 2000. History
Roberto Donadoni Italy are arguably the world's second best national team in history behind Brazil. This is largely down to their World Cup record. The Azzurri won the most important accolade four times. However, their European record is far from impressive, compared to what audiences have seen from them at World Cups. Italy participated in six tournaments out of possible 12, with 2008 being the 13th. Having missed out on the first two editions, they approached 1968 tournament on home soil with all guns blazing. In a unique final that was replayed after an initial 1-1 draw as penalties were not yet applied, Italy defeated Yugoslavia 2-0 in Rome to claim the title. Italy once again failed to qualify for two successive EUROs afterwards before making their second appearance in the 1980 tournament which was also held at home. They finished fourth after losing to Czechoslovakia on penalties in the third place play-off, the round which was cancelled in later editions. Italy also lost in the semi-finals of the 1980 tournament. With a one-goal advantage over France and the final whistle swiftly approaching, David Trezeguet drew Les Blues level in the dying seconds. In extra time, a Sylvain Wiltord golden goal made it a night to forget for Italy. Coach: Roberto Donadoni (Italian) Donadoni was deemed a surprise appointment after Marcello Lippi handed in his resignation following Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. The 44-year-old coach neither managed a high-profile team nor won a major trophy since beginning his managerial career in 2001. Donadoni, who enjoyed a very successful 10-year spell with AC Milan as a player, had three successive coaching spells with Lecce, Livorno and Genoa in the early 2000s. Every stint lasted for just one season. He departed Genoa in 2004 before returning to Livorno one year later. Donadoni led Livorno to a ninth-place finish in his first season in charge before enjoying an impressive campaign the following year. Livorno's fine run of results in the 2005/2006 season saw them occupy sixth spot halfway t Star Player- Luca Toni
