World Cup 2010: The Future That Never Was

A month prior to the World Cup, Nike unleashed their "Write the Future" campaign, and, like many others, I was pretty awed upon first viewing.



The video pulled in a million viewers a day on YouTube the week it debuted. As I type this, 17.7 million viewers have watched the clip above. All good for Nike, but how did the World Cup work out for the stars of the show? Eh, not so good. To recap:

Didier Drogba: Eliminated in the group stages
Fabio Cannavaro: Eliminated in the group stages
Wayne Rooney: Eliminated in the Round of 16
Frank Ribery: Eliminated in the group stages
Ronaldinho: Never made it to South Africa
Cristiano Ronaldo: Eliminated in the Round of 16

We haven't seen a collection of athletes in an ad campaign flop this badly since the Dan and Dave Reebok commercials prior to the 1992 Summer Olympics. A tough break for Nike, but I have a feeling they'll do just fine.

Update: Apparently the curse extends to Roger Federer as well. At least Kobe Bryant had a good month.

World Cup 2010: Breaking Down the Groups- Part 2

Well, I didn't exactly set the world on fire with my first set of picks (although I did get USA and England right). Here's hoping for better luck in part two of my group stage breakdown, taking a look at Groups E-H.

Group E
Standings: Holland- 6 points, +3 goal differential; Japan- 3 pts., E; Denmark- 3 pts. -1; Cameroon- 0 pts., -2
Match-ups: Holland vs. Cameroon; Japan vs. Denmark
The situation: Having both posted wins over Cameroon, Japan and Denmark face-off for second-place. While Denmark are the sharper side, Japan have the advantage of advancing with a draw. Barring a highly unlikely set of scores, Holland will top the group regardless of their match with Cameroon.
Prediction: The only group to advance two European teams will see Holland take first, followed by Denmark.

Group F
Standings: Paraguay- 4 pts., +2; Italy- 2 pts., E; New Zealand- 2 pts., E; Slovakia- 1 pt., -2
Match-ups: Paraguay vs. New Zealand; Italy vs. Slovakia
The situation: Despite a pair of lackluster draws, Italy need to only a win in their final match to move on to the knockout phases. But their struggles have allowed Paraguay to seize control of the group; a win over New Zealand will see the South American outfit claim the top spot, and a tie sees them through as well.
Prediction: The Kiwis magic runs out as Paraguay takes first, followed by Italy. The results mean Holland face Italy in the Round of 16.

Group G
Standings: Brazil- 6 pts., +3; Portugal- 4 pts., +7; Ivory Coast- 1 pt., -2; North Korea- 0 pts., -8
Match-ups: Brazil vs. Portugal; Ivory Coast vs. North Korea
The situation: While not technically eliminated, there's no way Ivory Coast are making up nine goals on Portugal. So with Brazil and Portugal assured of going through, it should lead to an open, entertaining match to determine group supremacy. Even with Kaka suspended following an absurd sending off, the world's top ranked team have shown no indication that they'll drop a match here.
Prediction: Brazil stay unbeaten, with Portugal taking second.

Group H
Standings: Chile- 6 pts., +2; Spain- 3 pts., +1; Switzerland- 3 pts., E; Honduras- 0 pts., -3
Match-ups: Chile vs. Spain; Switzerland vs. Honduras
The situation: Chile may sit a top the group with six points, but their position is far from safe. Their failure to improve on a 1-0 scoreline against a weak Honduras side and a Swiss squad that played a man down for much of the match may be their undoing with the goal differential tiebreaker. With Spain and Switzerland both favored, we may see three teams finish with six points. The odd men out would be the first team ever not to reach the knockout stages with five or more points.
Prediction: A win for Spain puts them top of the group, setting up an all-Iberian showdown with Portugal. The punchless Swiss can only manage a draw against Honduras and Chile takes second.

World Cup 2010: Group F Preview

You won't hear any complaints coming out of the defending champs' camp, as the Italians have been paired with unfancied New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. While the Azzurri should advance, the battle is on for the second sport in the round of 16. Here's my take on Group F.

Italy will look to recapture the magic of their 2006 title run quite literally, with a roster heavy on World Cup veterans. Among the returning talent is goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who allowed only an own goal and a penalty kick four years ago. Captain Fabio Cannavaro is no spring chicken at age 36, and a 2-1 friendly loss to Mexico last week re-inforced the sentiment that this side has jumped the shark. But with no major threats looming in the group, Italy will hope to conserve some energy for the knockout rounds, where they'll need it against stiffer competition.

For the first time since the early '90s break-up of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia has advanced to the World Cup. Offensive-minded midfielder Marek Hamsik, coming off a 12-goal campaign with Serie A Napoli, is the biggest scoring threat. Rugged Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel marshalls the back line. In a country best known for hockey, the Slovaks will bring a similar rugged mentality to the World Cup.

Somewhat quietly, Paraguay has reached the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time. The South American outfit actually won more games in qualifying than Argentina or Brazil. With Roque Santa Cruz a shell of his former self and gun violence knocking Salvador Cabanas out of the tournament, the Albirroja will rely on Benfica big man Oscar Cardozo to put the ball in the net. Their match against Slovakia will be the group's key fixture.

Under the category of "just happy to be here," New Zealand are the longest of long shots. The nation did advance to the final of the biggest sporting event ever held in South Africa. Unfortunately that was the Rugby World Cup. If the All Whites employ the go for broke style they showed in a 4-3 loss to Italy in last year's Confederations Cup, their matches should at least be entertaining. The offensive catalyst is striker Shane Smeltz.

Prediction: Aging Italy takes first, but not without a challenge from Paraguay and Slovakia. Slovakia have been the better side of late, so I'll slot them into the second slot.

Confederations Cup Preview

With less than a year to go before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, seven nations are joining the hosts for a sneak preview tournament, the FIFA Confederations Cup. The roster is highlighted by reigning World Champions Italy, top-ranked and European champs Spain and perennial power Brazil. In addition to watching how those powers stack up, the event will be a test for the well-scrutinized South African organizing committee. With the U.S., Egypt, Iraq and New Zealand joining the mix, the tournament should answer a number of questions.

How will Spain handle the role of favorites?: Having shed the label of a team that can't win the big game, Spain come into the Confederations Cup as the popular pick. While the group stage should be a breeze, winning the event will likely require topping Italy and Brazil. Victory in the final will install Spain as the top choice for next year.

What can we expect from South Africa?: This is a two-part question posed on and off the field. The expectation is that World Cup hosts should, at a minimum, advance past the group stage. That may be a tall order for the lightly-regarded South African side. They'll need to show progress here to make the knockout stages a realistic goal for 2010. Then there are the issues of tournament organization. Talk of a "Plan B" has cooled in recent months; a well-run tournament will silence some critics who feel the hosts aren't up to the task.

Are Italy and Brazil back?: Italy have hardly sparkled since celebrating a title in Berlin three years ago, but with several World Cup veterans in place, the Azzurri are still among the best in the world. After a disappointing World Cup in '06, Brazil are regaining their old form under manager and former captain Dunga. The meeting between these sides will be the highlight of the group stages.

Are the United States ready for the world?: Advancing from a group that includes Italy and Brazil is a tall order for any nation. Even a draw against either foe would show that the U.S. and their CONCACAF brethren are ready to contend next year. The U.S. needs to defeat Egypt in their final match, a decent opponent, but one that the States should be topping on a consistent basis.

World Cup 2010: Checking in on UEFA Qualifying

With the club season over, the summer attention turns to qualifying for next year's World Cup. With most nations just past the halfway mark, the race for Europe's 13 slots in South Africa 2010 is taking shape. Nine group winners qualify automatically, while the top eight runners-up will enter four two-legged playoffs for the remaining slots. Here's a look at how the groups stand.

Group 1: Portugal has been one of the biggest disappointments to date, with just one win in five matches. Portugal trails both Denmark and Hungary by seven points, although Portugal does have a game in-hand on the Hungarians. Sweden, with the fewest games played, is also in the mix. Portugal's September 5 trip to Denmark will be a key fixture.

Group 2: The weakest of the nine groups, Greece and Switzerland top the table, three points ahead of Latvia. The Greeks travel to Switzerland on September 5.

Group 3: Northern Ireland are one of the biggest surprises, topping the table with 13 points, but they've played two more matches than second-place Slovakia, which has 12. Poland (10 points in six matches) will also view for top honors. With only eight points through six matches, the favored Czech Republic has work to do.

Group 4: Germany appear in comfortable position with 16 points in six matches. Russia, with 12 points in five matches, should be able to hold off Finland (seven points, four matches played) for second.

Group 5: European champions Spain are perfect in six matches, the best mark of any of the 53 qualifiers. While Bosnia-Herzegovina trail by six points, they're positioned well to take second, four points ahead of Turkey.


Group 6: English fans are giddy over the 15 points in five matches earned by Fabio Capello's men. Croatia and Urkraine will battle for second, with the Croats hosting a June 6 meeting.

Group 7: Serbia are another surprise group leader, two points ahead of 2006 runners-up France. The Serbs are in good shape with two of their next three at home, including a September 9 visit by Les Blues.

Group 8: Despite a home draw to Ireland in their most recent match, Italy are poised to defend their 2006 title. The Irish have yet to lose in six matches, leading third-place by Bulgaria by five points.

Group 9: Holland join Spain and England as the only sides with unblemished marks, and they have more than double the points of second place Scotland (15-7).

Predicted group winners: Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, France, Italy, Holland
Predicted playoff qualifiers: Portugal, Greece, Poland, Russia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Ireland

UEFA Euro 2008: Arreviderche, Donadoni

The final chapter to Italy's Euro 2008 campaign came Thursday when the federation sacked head coach Roberto Donadoni, replacing him with Marcello Lippi, who piloted Italy to the 2006 World Cup title. Donadoni was set up with an automatic two-year contract extension if Italy had reached the semifinals. With the Azzurri falling in a shootout after a 0-0 draw with Spain, he fell one win short of securing the extension. Federation chief Giancarlo Abete noted that Donadoni was not fired, his contract was simply allowed to expire.

I think Donadoni got a raw deal here. True, Italy won only one of four games at the Euros, but without Fabio Cannavaro, who missed the entire tournament, Italy escaped a tough group. Once in the quarterfinals they faced Spain without Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gatusso. While Italy was clearly the weaker team against Spain, you wonder if the inclusion of those three players might have been enough to get them through. We'll never know. If Italy wins a luck-of-the-draw shootout, Donadoni earns his extension and probably sticks around. Is he that much worse a coach because Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale missed penalty kicks?

When you win the World Cup two years earlier, expectations are high, so Italy's decision, though perhaps hasty, is far from shocking.

UEFA Euro 2008: Spain-Italy Recap

Commentators like to say the penalty shootout is a cruel lottery, but there was nothing cruel about Spain prevailing 4-2 over Italy after a 0-0 draw. Only one team came to Vienna actively seeking a win, and while Spain battled fruitlessly for a goal for 120 minutes, at least they were battling. Spain outshot Italy 27-12, but it could have been a greater margin if Spain didn't so often seek the perfect play opposed to the quick release. The Italians, sans Pirlo and Gattusso, looked more like defensive-minded Greece than the reigning World Champions.

Referee Herbert Fandel frustratingly blew the whistle on at least two occasions when Spain was on offense and an Italian player lay behind the play "suffering" from a minor injury. Once players realize the ref will let them get away with this tactic, they take full advantage. Refs need to do a better job of letting play continue unless the injury is truly serious. And nine times out of ten you can tell when an injury is truly serious.

As for the shootout, Spain put an end to their June 22nd PK hoodoo, a date on which they'd fallen victim to spot kicks on three previous instances since 1986. Cesc Fabregas, who came on in the second half, put home the final kick to give Spain a 4-2 triumph. Spain now face Russia in the semifinals, a replay of the opener for both teams, which Spain won 4-1. Based on the way Russia has played since, don't expect the rematch to be another blowout. Italy end their tournament with only three goals and one win in four games.

UEFA Euro 2008: Spain-Italy Preview

The quarterfinals come to a close as Spain meet Italy for the right to face Russia in the semifinals. Both teams opened the group stages with blowout games- Spain winning 4-1 over Russia and Italy finishing on the wrong end of a 3-0 result against Holland. Spain continued to roll, winning Group D with a 3-0 mark. Italy rebounded from the early set-back to slide into second in Group C at 1-1-1.

Is there a disadvantage to winning your group at this tournament? Group winners are 0-3 in the quarters, with those three losing teams all having rested top players in their final group stages. Did it leave those teams a little less sharp for the quarters? Spain hope to disprove the theory. If David Villa, the leading scorer from the group stages, is on target again, they should have no problem doing so.

Italy's biggest concern is the loss of two starting midfielders out with yellow card accumulations- Andrea Pirlo and Genaro Gattuso. Their absence puts added pressure on striker Luca Toni to lead the Italian charge. Italy have, in my opinion, the tournament's best goal keeper in Gianluigi Buffon. No save in the group phases was bigger than his PK stop against Romania to keep Italy alive.

The venue: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
The broadcast: ESPN, 2:45 pm ET
The prediction: Really? You want my prediction? I'm 0-3 in the quarters so far. But one of these group winners has to win, right? With the quality of the goalkeeping, don't expect a high scoring affair. I'll go with Spain to win 1-0.

UFEA Euro 2008: Day 11 Recap

Italy 2, France 0
Holland 2, Romania 0

What was expected to be one of the tournament's signature matches was a bit of a letdown, but you won't hear Italian fans complaining. The Azurri earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over France, combined with Romania's 2-0 loss to Holland. Despite the convincing win, their first of the tournament, the news wasn't all positive for Italy. Midfielders Andrea Pirlo, who scored the first goal, and Gennaro Gattuso, both picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament and will miss Italy's quarterfinal against Spain.

The game was essentially decided in the 25th minute when France's Eric Abidal earned a red card for a professional foul on Luca Toni and Pirlo converted the ensuing penalty kick. France followed with a few offensive spurts, but no sustained pressure, and when Daniele De Rossi's 62nd minute free kick deflected off the foot of Thierry Henry into the net, Italy were through.

By the time the Italians tacked on their second goal, Romania already trailed Holland 1-0. Needing a win to advance, Romania could manage only eight shots for the game, and fell 2-0 to settle for third. While Holland were the story of Group C, the key moment over the past nine days came in the Romania-Italy match when Gigi Buffon's PK save on Adrian Mutu denied Romania three points and kept Italy in position to advance.

For the French, the only highlight on the evening was coach Raymond Domenech proposing to his lady friend during the post game press conference. Interesting timing on Domench's part and no word on if she said "oui."

Italy will face Spain in the quarters Sunday in Vienna, a task that becomes even tougher for Italy without the AC Milan duo of Pirlo and Gatusso. Holland have a Saturday date in Basel with either Sweden or Russia.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 11 Previews

Romania, France and Italy are in a three-way battle for second in Group C, while Holland can enjoy the show.

France vs. Italy
The venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: It's the fourth big meeting between these countries in less than two years, following the '06 World Cup Final and two Euro qualifiers. Neither side has a win in the tournament, with each getting thumped by Holland and drawing with Romania. If Romania fail to beat Holland, the winner here gets a Sunday date with Spain in the quarters.
The prediction: Henry? Ribery? Toni? Who's gonna be the hero? Here's guessing a tense affair falls 1-0 to Italy.

Holland vs. Romania
The venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN Classic, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: Holland are on cruise control, having already wrapped up the group's top spot. Of the three teams battling for second, Romania have the upper hand, knowing a win sends them through regardless of the France-Italy result.
The prediction: It's tough to gauge what type of effort Holland will bring, but their wide-open style pitted against a Romania squad that has to win should produce an entertaining affair. A 2-2 draw leaves Romania on the wrong side of the equation.

UEFA Euro 2008: Group C Chaos?

There's a genuine chance Italy, France and Romania could finish in a three-way tie for second in Group C. If Romania lose by three goals to Holland, and Italy and France play to a draw, with all three teams scoring the same number of goals Tuesday, those squads will be completely level: 2 points, a -3 goal differential, and the same number of goals for and against. What happens then? The qualifying coefficient comes into play, with the tiebreaker going to the team with the highest average points earned in qualifying matches from 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008. (The average is used since teams played various numbers of qualifying matches.) That tiebreaker favors Italy.

Italy: 52 points from 22 matches= 2.36
Romania: 54 points from 24 matches= 2.25
France: 46 points from 22 matches= 2.09

Here are the other Group C scenarios:
-Romania advance with a win over Holland, regardless of the result of the Italy-France match.
-If Romania lose or draw against Holland, the winner of Italy-France advances.
-If Italy and France draw, Romania would still advance if they lose to Holland by two goals or less.
-If Italy and France draw and Romania lose by four or more to Holland, Italy and France will go to shootout for second.
-If Italy and France draw and Romania lose by three, Romania advance if they score more goals than Italy and France. (For example, Romania could lose 4-1, but would advance if Italy and France play to a 0-0 draw.)
-If Italy and France draw and Romania lose by three, and score fewer goals than Italy and France, Italy and France will go to a shootout for second. (For example, if Romania lose 3-0 to Holland, a 1-1 draw between Italy and France would send them to shootout.)

Got all that? Incidentally, the qualifying coefficient is what was used to seed teams for this tournament. That's how a team like France, with a relatively low score, end up grouped with Italy.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 7 Recap

Italy 1, Romania 1
Holland 4, France 1

Any questions? Holland continued their dream run through the Group of Death with a 4-1 win over France. The win clinches the top spot in Group C for Marco Van Basten's men after a sweep of the finalists from the 2006 World Cup. As they did in their opener, Holland took the early lead but continued to press from there. Dirk Kuyt put Holland up 1-0 at the break with a tenth-minute header off a corner kick. In the second half Van Basten's subbed in more attacking players in Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. Robben scored the second goal in the 59th minute, but the heroes on the play were Ruud van Nistelroy, who made a brilliant sideline maneuver to keep the ball in play and feed Robben, whose long run ended with a cross to van Persie. Thierry Henry netted France's first goal in the 71st minute, but a minute later Robben restored the advantage. Wesley Sneijder capped the scoring with an extra time tally.

Holland's entertaining play through two games evoke memories of the "Total Football" squads of the '70s which were twice World Cup runners-up, and the 1988 squad, led by Van Bastern, that won the nation's only European title. Key to Dutch success has been the contributions of players such as van Persie and Robben whose health was questionable coming into the tournament. Clearly this team is clicking at the right time and having locked up Group C, they enjoy the luxury of resting a bit in their final group stage game.

As for France, they incredibly remain in the picture along with Italy and Romania after those sides drew 1-1. A lively second half saw Adrian Mutu put Romania ahead 1-0 in the 55th minute, taking advantage of a botched head back by Gianluca Zambrotta. It took only one minute for Italy to level the game off the foot of Christian Panucci. Panucci was a central figure in the 80th minute, when his foul in the box gave Mutu the chance to steal the win from the penalty spot. But Gianluigi Buffon made a brilliant sprawling save to secure a valuable point for Italy.

The results leave Romania in second with two points, in control their destiny. But if the Romanians fail to beat Holland, the winner of the Italy-France match will advance.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 7 Previews

The second day in Group C sees the World Champs Italy looking to rebound against Romania, while France hopes to slow down Holland.

Italy vs. Romania
The venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN2, 12:00 pm ET
The storyline: Italy looked old and slow in their opener against Holland. Was that the result of a brilliant Dutch side or the sign of an Italian team that reached their peak two years ago? That question will be answered against a cagey Romanian opponent.
The prediction: Expect a sharper Italian defense and an offense that just does enough to get a 1-0 win.

France vs. Holland
The venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN2, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: France's ability to ground the high-flying Dutch will depend on what contributions they get, if any, from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, who both missed the opener with thigh injuries. Overlooked in Holland's win over Italy were key saves from Edwin van der Sar, who will seek a second clean sheet.
The prediction: Holland are brimming with confidence and with the French at less than 100 percent, the Dutch lock up Group C with a 2-1 win.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 3 Recap

France 0, Romania 0
Holland 3, Italy 0

The greatest moment in Dutch football came 20 years ago in winning Euro 1988. But in terms of a single-game performance, this afternoon's 3-0 thrashing of Italy may stand as the finest effort in team history. Employing a brash, attacking style, Holland jumped to a 2-0 lead at the half and crusied to victory. The brillant counter attack that lead to the second score is an early candidiate for the goal of the tournament. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst made a goal-line clearance off an Italian corner kick, then sparked a breakout that resulted in a long pass to Dirk Kuyt, whose centering pass was one-touched home by Wesley Sneijder in the 31st minute.

The controversy surrounding Holland's first goal five minutes earlier may be limited since the end result was so convincing. Ruud van Nistelrooy was clearly in an offsides position when he slotted home the first goal. Officials later explained that the presence of defender Christian Panucci, injured earlier in the play and lying off the pitch next to the goal, kept van Nistelrooy in an onsides position. But when you saw the Real Madrid striker's reaction- 10 seconds of looking for a flag before celebrating- it was clear he knew he got away with one.

The tournament is by no means over for Italy, but they'll need a better performance up front from Luca Toni if they are to improve from today's effort. The Bayern Munich striker missed a pair of close chances to get Italy back in the match.

In the first game, injury-riddled France, without Patrick Viera and Thiery Henry, looked off their pace in a goalles draw with Romania. Scoring chances were limited for both sides and it remains to be seen what contributions France will get from their hobbled stars. Romania played a smart game defensively but will need to show some creativity on the other end if they have designs on escaping the Group of Death.

Thursday Italy face Romania while France meet Holland. The 2006 World Cup Finalists are both on the wrong side of the momenum meter after day one, and we'll see if Holland's performance is a preview of greatness or a one-hit wonder.

UEFA Euro 2008: Day 3 Previews

Group C, "The Group of Death," gets underway with France against Romania and Italy versus Holland.

France vs. Romania
The venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN2, 12:00 pm ET
The storyline: France have not been at their best in the pre-tournament friendlies. They can't afford to get off to a slow start against Romania with matches against Holland and Italy to follow.
The prediction: The tournament has yet to see an upset and given France's recent form this could be the first. Romania take a 1-0 win.

Holland vs. Italy
The venue: Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Berne, Switzerland
The broadcast: ESPN2, 2:45 pm ET
The storyline: Both sides come into the game hard hit by injuries. Holland winger Arjen Robben (groin) is the latest Dutch player to head to the bench, joining Robin van Persie and Ryan Babel. Italy are forced to deal with the loss of captain Fabio Cannavaro.
The prediction: As both squads feel their way through modified line-ups, the net result is a 1-1 draw.

UEFA Euro 2008: Injuries Plague Group C

The major drawback of summer international tournaments is players arriving on the heels of a grueling club season. We can't say for certain that's to blame for the rash of pre-tournament injuries that have hit Group C, but some big names are already out of action. The biggest is Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, who tore ankle ligaments during a practice collision with teammate Giorgi Chiellini Monday. The Italian team had been in Austria for only a few hours before losing the veteran defender.

Two days earlier torn ankle ligaments claimed Holland forward Ryan Babel, although his injury did not involve contact. The loss was a difficult one for an already banged-up Dutch side. Reports Monday suggested that striker Robin van Persie will likely miss the opener against Italy.

French captain Patrick Viera is also out for the opener, the victim of an ankle injury. Mathieu Flamini has been called up to take Viera's roster spot for now, although France have until the day before their June 9 game against Romania to make final roster decisions.

UEFA Euro 2008: Italy Team Preview

The squad: The 2006 World Champions have been less successful at the Euros, failing to advance past the group stages at two of the last three tournaments. Their extra time loss to France in the Euro 2000 Final denied them their first title since 1968. The Azzurri topped a difficult qualifying Group B that included France, World Cup quarterfinalists Ukraine, and pesky Scotland.

The players: The key figures from the 2006 squad are back, including Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni and Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Real Madrid's Fabio Cannavaro and Inter Milan's Marco Materazzi anchor the always-stingy defense in front of Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The schedule: vs. Holland (6/9); vs. Romania (6/13); vs. France (6/17)

The prediction: The road to the final won't be easy, but Italy have the talent and experience needed to get there. In a rematch of their classic 2006 World Cup semifinal, Italy prevails over Germany once again.