Casiraghi names Azzurrini squad

Italy Under-21 boss Pierluigi Casiraghi has named his squad for the European Championship play-off matches against Spain.

The Azzurrini Coach named 22 players who will meet on Sunday in Modena, where the first leg is scheduled on Friday 6 October.

Among those selected was Roma midfielder Aleandro Rosi, who is line to make his debutafter scoring his first Serie A goal last Sunday in Roma's 4-0 win against Parma. Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino returns to the squad after a long absence with an ankle injury, but Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini is out with a thigh injury.

The Azzurrini secured a spot in the European Under-21 Championship play-offs after winning against Iceland and Austria earlier this month, topping Group 5.

The second leg against Spain will be played on October 10 at the Nueva Balestera Stadium in Palencia and the winners will qualify for the final phase of the tournament, which will take place from June 10 to June 23 in the Netherlands.


Italy U21 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Curci (Roma), Viviano (Brescia).
Defenders: Andreolli (Inter), Chiellini (Juventus), Coda (Udinese), Mantovani (Chievo), Pisano (Cagliari), Potenza (Fiorentina) Scurto (Chievo).
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Cigarini (Parma), Dessena (Parma), Lazzari (Cesena), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Piacenza), Padoin (Vicenza), Rosi (Roma), Rosina (Torino).
Forwards: Palladino (Juventus), Pellé (Cesena), Pozzi (Empoli), Rossi (Newcastle United).

Lippi rules out role with Azzurri

The Azzurri's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has ruled out returning in a supervisory role and backed his replacement Roberto Donadoni. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) head Guido Rossi floated the idea after the poor start to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Lippi said: "I'll never be a supervisor because that is not my trade. Roberto is a great lad and I've no doubt they'll get back to great form and he will get the best out of them."

The world champions drew at home with Lithuania and were beaten by France in their opening two Group B games.

Rossi suggested Lippi take on a role at the head of the federation's technical department.

Former Juventus coach Lippi said he intends to return to club coaching after taking a rest. Lippi said: "At the moment I'm still enjoying the aftertaste of the World Cup which I think will be a good while yet. I've had some calls from non-Italian clubs but I didn't meet with any club directors."

FIFA plea to Materazzi and Zidane

FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane to meet to reconcile their differences after the World Cup final bust-up.

France's Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the chest near the end of extra-time, with Italy going on to win the trophy on penalties. "We are working on getting together Materazzi and Zidane to bring an end to this story," said Blatter. "It is a pity, I have to say, when a World Cup final ends with a red card."

Zidane, playing his last game before retiring from football, was sent off for the attack and later claimed he was provoked after Materazzi had insulted his mother. But the Inter defender revealed that Zidane's sister was the subject: "I was tugging his shirt, he said to me 'if you want my shirt so much I'll give it to you afterwards,' and I answered that I'd prefer his sister."

Materazzi was later handed a two-match ban by world governing body FIFA, while Zidane was banned for three games and fined £3,260.

Under 21's: Azzurrini face Spanish threat

Italy will have to beat Spain over two legs in order to qualify for next year’s UEFA Under-21 European Championship Finals.

The Azzurrini, who topped qualifying Group 5 this week after 1-0 wins over Iceland and Austria, will play Spain on October 7 and 11 – even if those dates could be slightly altered.

The Finals will take place between June 10 and 23 of next year in Holland. The hosts, who are the current champions, have automatically qualified.

Play-off fixtures: Serbia v Sweden, Czech Republic v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia v Portugal, France v Israel, England v Germany, Italy v Spain, Belgium v Bulgaria.

Donadoni given vote of confidence

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has been given a vote of confidence by the President of the national Olympic committee (CONI), Gianni Petrucci, despite a disappointing start to his time at the helm.

Donadoni, the former Livorno boss and AC Milan midfielder, took charge of the Azzurri following Marcello Lippi's decision to step down in the wake of their World Cup success in Germany this summer.

Donadoni has so far failed to deliver the results, with a 2-0 friendly defeat to Croatia followed by a 1-1 draw against Lithuania and a 3-1 loss in France leaving the World Champions already struggling in Group B of the Euro 2008 qualifiers.

But speaking at a meeting in Palermo, Petrucci said: "I am optimistic about Donadoni and his national team. Donadoni is a good coach who has the faith of the football federation and the whole of Italian sport."

Maldini: FIFA are anti-Azzurri

Italian hero Paolo Maldini has denounced what he perceives to be an anti-Azzurri agenda within FIFA, with President Sepp Blatter the main target of his ire. The Milan legend has focused his attack around the fact that Blatter skipped the World Cup final ceremony, leaving UEFA President Lennart Johansson to hand the trophy to Fabio Cannavaro after the penalty victory over France in Berlin.

Maldini feels Blatter's snub is evidence of a political agenda within the sport's governing body that is aligned against the European superpower.

"A thing that really bothered me, has been the way Fifa treated us in Berlin," Maldini told Panorama. "Blatter didn't want to award us and this has been a scandal which our federation didn't react to. I have never seen a similar thing, it's not enough. That person, as he can, continues talking badly about our football and he's not the only one. This behaviour allows us to understand why in the past we haven't won what we deserved. It's a political matter, we are not present in the 'drawing room' that counts, and Blatter's behaviour confirmed it. The Italian Federation must behave as one of the world champions."

When Maldini eventually hangs up his boots, with the Rossoneri defender still going strong at 38, he is expected to adopt the role of a footballing ambassador for his country. "I'm thinking of this," he admitted.

Lippi poised for Azzurri return?

World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi could make a shock return to the Italy set-up, although his successor Roberto Donadoni's position is not under threat despite a disappointing start to his reign.

The Azzurri suffered a friendly defeat to Croatia in Donadoni's first game in charge last month, and then were held to a 1-1 draw by Lithuania and defeated by France in their opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) interim President Guido Rossi has revealed contact has been made with Lippi, who resigned days after the World Cup success against France in Berlin.

"I have made him an offer and I am sure he will accept," Rossi told Il Giornale newspaper. "He would have to change his role to become a lead figure for the national team."

On the table is a newly-created position of technical co-ordinator, working alongside Donadoni and using his experience to get Italy's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign back on track. A decision and possible appointment will take place after Lippi returns from his holidays.

"As soon as he is tired of holidays, he will return to action," added Rossi. "I have heard from him a lot and met him personally. Somebody like him, who has reached the very top needs new stimuli, and I have made him an offer - he could co-ordinate everybody's work."

Group B - Match 2: France v Italy

6 September 2006: France 3-1 Italy (Paris)
Roberto Donadoni's Italy career is in trouble after France took a 3-1 World Cup revenge, leaving their Euro 2008 hopes in dire straits. Donadoni was already under pressure after the 1-1 draw with Lithuania and made changes to that line-up, introducing Franco Semioli, Gianluca Zambrotta and Alberto Gilardino for the 4-4-1-1 system that Italy employed in their World Cup win. Massimo Oddo, Daniele De Rossi and Pippo Inzaghi made way.

Before kick-off there was a minute's silence to mark the death of Inter President and legendary Azzurri captain Giacinto Facchetti. The Italian team also wore black armbands.

Les Bleus were still livid after that Berlin loss and it showed, as they came sprinting out of the blocks and within the opening 90 seconds Sidney Govou had volleyed a William Gallas cross low into the far corner past Gigi Buffon. As against Lithuania, the defending left something to be desired, although replays showed that the Arsenal defender was clearly offside when he got the ball.

On 17 minutes Buffon had his palms stung by a Florent Malouda rocket only for Henry to latch on to the loose ball and sidefoot it in from a tight angle with the aid of a Fabio Cannavaro deflection. However, Italy pulled a goal back moments later. As in the World Cup Final, they were superior on set-pieces and Gilardino was allowed a free header on Andrea Pirlo's free kick to glance it past Gregory Coupet.

Searching for an equaliser, Donadoni replaced Semioli with David Di Michele of Palermo, switching to a trident attack. However, this left Italy even more over-run in midfield and within seconds France scored their third goal. Willy Sagnol's assist was glanced into the far corner off Govou's head for his second of the game, but there were few celebrations as he clashed heads with Cannavaro.

The result now leaves Italy fives points behind the French and Scotland. October's ties in Rome against the Ukraine and away to Georgia become decisive if Donadoni is to have any hope of reaching Euro 2008.

France: Coupet, Sagnol, Gallas, Thuram, Abidal, Ribery (Saha 88), Vieira, Makelele, Malouda, Govou (Wiltord 75), Henry.
Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso, Semioli (Di Michele 54), Pirlo, Gattuso, Perrotta, Cassano (Inzaghi 73), Gilardino (De Rossi 87).
Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).


Other Group B Matches
Scotland stretched their unbeaten away run to seven games to make it two wins out of two in their Euro 2008 campaign after a fine 2-1 win in Lithuania. Tomas Zvirgzduaskas had an early effort headed off the line by Gary Naysmith. But Scotland took the lead after the break when Christian Dailly headed home a Naysmith corner. And Kenny Miller hammered in a second after hesitation in the home defence before a suberb Darius Miceika overhead kick produced a tense finish.

Ukraine came from behind to beat Georgia 3-2 in Kiev. The hosts had to do it the hard way after appearing to have blown a lead given to them by Andriy Shevchenko's 31st minute header from Andrei Gusin's pass. A spirited fightback from Georgia was rewarded just seven minutes later when Shota Arveladze beat Alexander Shovkovsky from the edge of the area. And a curling free kick from George Demetradze completed the turnaround shortly after the hour - but only briefly. The visitors were left to rue the concession of an immediate equaliser after Ruslan Rotan capitalised on a defensive error to haul his side level. Rusol then struck to ensure his side got their Group B campaign off to the best possible start. Georgia, meanwhile, remain on three points after suffering a second successive defeat.


Group A
Portugal needed to hold on for a 1-1 Euro 2008 qualifying away draw with Finland in Helsinki. The World Cup semi-finalists will be happy to come away with the result after playing the majority of the second half with ten men. Roy Hodgson's Finns came into Wednesday's clash buoyed by their impressive win in Poland on Saturday, and they started well against Luiz Felipe Scolari's side. Jonatan Johansson gave the Nordic nation the lead on 22 minutes, as he converted Joonas Kolkka's free kick from the right. Finland's lead lasted until three minutes before the break, as Benfica striker Nuno Gomes scored his 25th goal for his country after converting Deco's pass from the right flank. Portugal then faced a difficult task to hold on for a point, as Ricardo Costa was sent for a second bookable offence after a challenge on Johansson on 53 minutes. The visitors, however, held out for a draw to open their qualifying account in Group A.

Serbia came from a goal down to earn an important 1-1 draw with struggling Poland in Warsaw. The Poles were looking to restore some pride after the home defeat to Finland and they took the lead on the half-hour mark. Radoslaw Matusiak curled home a fine strike to give the home side the lead, but the Serbs made sure of a point on their travels. Substitute Danko Lazovic struck midway through the second half to earn the Balkan nation a share of the spoils.

Belgium have recorded their first win in qualifying with a 1-0 away success over Armenia. After a disappointing goalless draw with Kazakhstan in Brussels last month, The Red Devils claimed all three points in Yerevan's Republican Stadium four minutes before the break. Bayern Munich's Daniel van Buyten headed home Jelle van Damme's cross from the left to secure the win.

Azerbaijan picked up their first point in qualifying after a 1-1 home draw with Kazakhstan. In a battle of two former Soviet Republics, it was Azerbaijan that took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark. Andre Ladaga struck home a free kick after Kazakhstan's Maksim Zhalmagambetov fouled Azerbaijan's Vagif Javadov just outside the visitors' penalty box. Kazakhstan earned themselves a point in Baku when Dmitry Byakov headed home Nikita Khokhlov's cross from the right on 36 minutes. It was Kazakhstan's first-ever goal in the European Championship since the country moved to become members of UEFA from the Asian Football Confederation back in 2002.


Group C
Norway made it two wins from two after a hard-fought 2-0 success at home to Moldova. Age Hareide's men had been easy winners in Hungary over the weekend, but were pressed all the way back on home soil. Following a scoreless first half, Moldova were reduced to 10 men just a minute into the second period when Victor Berco was sent off. It was not until the 73rd minute that Norway made the breakthrough with Fredrik Stromstad opening the scoring. Former Tottenham striker Steffen Iversen made the game safe six minutes later as Norway put down an early marker of their intent to qualify for Euro 2008.

Turkey notched a 2-0 'home' triumph as they started their Euro 2008 campaign by beating Malta in Frankfurt. Nihat Kahveci netted the opener on 56 minutes and Tumer Metin added a second goal on 77 minutes.

Hungary bounced back from their heavy defeat at home to Norway with an impressive 3-1 success in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The visitors were ahead on 36 minutes through Szabolcs Huszti's penalty and three minutes later Bosnia had Emir Spahic sent off for a second yellow card. Zoltan Gera scored a minute into the second half and two soon became three as Pal Dardai netted on 49 minutes. Bosnia replied with a penalty through Zvjezdan Misimovic on 64 minutes, but Hungary saw out the game to take the points.


Group D
Germany set a European Championship qualifying record after crushing San Marino 13-0 in the republic. Striker Lukas Podolski scored four, while Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Hitzlsperger all found the net twice. Michael Ballack, Manuel Friedrich and Bernd Schneider with a 90th-minute penalty also scored in the game, which Germany led 6-0 at the break. Germany's win bettered Spain's 12-1 victory over Malta in 1983.

Czech Republic secured bragging rights as they secured a very good 3-0 win over Slovakia. The two nations, formerly one, have an intense rivalry but it was the visitors who went away with a crucial three points. Rangers midfielder Libor Sionko was the star of the show as he fired a first half double to set Karel Bruckner's men on their way. He opened the scoring on ten minutes before doubling his tally on 21 minutes. The third arrived before the hour when talismanic front-man Jan Koller pounced.


Group E
Peter Crouch's rich vein of scoring form continued to give England a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje. Crouch scored seconds after half-time with a shot that bounced off the bar but was clearly over the line. The Liverpool striker's 11th goal in 14 internationals made it three successive wins for England coach Steve McClaren. Macedonia almost snatched a point late on, with Artemi Sakiri shooting wide and Ashley Cole clearing off the line.

Israel coasted to a 4-1 victory 'at home' to Andorra. First-half goals by captain Yossi Benayoun and debutant striker Amit Ben Shushan as well as Shimon Gershon's penalty put Israel in control. Substitute Toto Tamuz added a fourth, before Andorra defender Fernando Silva was sent off, though late on substitute Juli Fernandez scored the Andorrans' first goal of the campaign. The game was played in Nijmegen after UEFA in July banned all matches under its jurisdiction from being hosted in Israel due to the Lebanon war.

Russia and Croatia shared a 0-0 in Moscow. After a lacklustre first-half Milan Rapaic struck the bar with a free-kick, while Eduardo da Silva and van Klasnic also missed good chances for Croatia. Coach Guus Hiddink's decision to introduce Pavel Pogrebniak revived Russia's attack, with the Tom Tomsk striker twice going close. Igor Semshov's volley drew a reaction save from Stipe Pletikosa and Andrei Arshavin's went close with a shot.


Group F
David Healy's hat-trick helped Northern Ireland claim a shock 3-2 victory over Spain at Windsor Park. Healy punished a Xabi Alonso mistake to level from close range shortly after Barcelona star Xavi had volleyed Spain ahead with 14 minutes gone. David Villa restored Spain's lead on 52 minutes but Healy converted Sammy Clingan's free-kick to level. Healy then ensured the home win with a glorious lobbed winner on 80 minutes.

Sweden made it two wins out of two with 3-1 success over minnows Liechtenstein. The Swedes put behind their off-field problems from earlier this week which saw three players expelled from their squad to record victory - although it was far from convincing. Marcus Allback put the home side ahead after just two minutes but Mario Frick levelled just before the half hour to silence the crowd. Allback finally restored Sweden's lead on 69 minutes before Markus Rosenberg sealed victory in the final minute after Freddie Ljungberg had missed a penalty.

Denmark opened their Euro 2008 campaign with a 2-0 win in Iceland. Charlton's Dennis Rommedahl opened the scoring after just five minutes in Reykjavik. The comfortable win was sealed just after the half hour mark when Jon Dahl Tomasson pounced.


Group G
Holland beat Belarus 3-0 in Eindhoven to move two points clear of Bulgaria. Robin Van Persie opened the scoring for the Dutch after 32 minutes when Belarus failed to clear a corner, allowing the Arsenal forward to hammer the ball home. Van Persie sealed victory with 12 minutes left with a well-placed shot. Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt added a third when he headed home a free kick by Van Persie.

Romania got their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign off and running with victory over Albania on Wednesday. Having been frustrated for large periods of their clash in Tirana, the visitors eventually broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Nicolae Dica. Ten minutes later, Debatik Curri felled Florentin Petre inside the penalty area, and Adrian Mutu converted the spot kick to make sure of victory.

Bulgaria beat Slovenia 3-0 in Wednesday's other game in the Group. After a goalless first period, Juventus' Valeri Bojinov got the ball rolling for his side with a left-footed strike in the 58th minute. In the 72nd minute, Martin Petrov doubled his side's lead in spectacular fashion, firing in a right-footed strike from long range into the top-left corner. And Dmitar Telkiiski then got his first international goal with a left-footed shot from Hristo Yovov's pass nine minutes from time to round off a comfortable win.


View Euro 2008 Fixtures & Tables >>>

U21: Italy v Austria

Italy U21 1-0 Austria U21: After scoring the winner against Iceland last Friday, Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo was again on target as the Azzurrini defeated Austria in Forli to qualify for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs.

Austria, who needed a victory to progress, were the better side in the early stages and went close to taking the lead in the eighth minute when Christian Thonhofer put Roman Kienast through one-on-one with Gianluca Curci but the Roma goalkeeper managed to parry the Austrian striker's shot. Italy reacted positively and Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer was forced to make a fine diving save to stop Graziano Pelle's header following a corner by Alessandro Rosina.
Midway into the first half, Italy started to show more initiative thanks to the creativity of Rosina and Giuseppe Rossi but the Azzurrini were not decisive enough in front of goal. Much as they did in the first half, Austria started the second period well and went close to opening the scoring through Thonhofer but his shot from just outside the penalty area flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

Almer was then forced to rush out to dive at the feet of Andrea Lazzari, who had just replaced a tired-looking Rossi in attack and a minute later Curci dived to block a powerful right-foot drive by Martin Harnik. With seven minutes to play, Montolivo received a pass from Lazzari and gave Italy victory with a powerful and precise low, right-footed shot.

The Azzurrini will be joined by Bosnia-Herzegovina, Spain, Serbia, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Portugal, England, Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Bulgaria, Israel and France for Friday's draw in Nyon (12pm UK Time). The two-legged play-off ties will take place on 7/8 and 10/11 October. The seven winners from these ties will join the hosts and title-holders, the Netherlands, for the final tournament which starts in June next year.

Euro 2008: September 6 2006

These are all Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifiers. All kick-offs are in UK time.

Group A:
Azerbaijan v Kazakhstan (1500)
Armenia v Belgium (1700)
Finland v Portugal (1800)
Poland v Serbia (1930)

Group B:
Lithuania v Scotland (1630)
Ukraine v Georgia (1700)
France v Italy (2000)

Group C:
Norway v Moldova (1800)
Turkey v Malta (1800)
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Hungary (1915)

Group D:
Slovakia v Czech Republic (1915)
San Marino v Germany (1945)

Group E:
Russia v Croatia (1600)
Israel v Andorra (1800)
FYR Macedonia v England (2000)

Group F:
Sweden v Liechtenstein (1830)
Iceland v Denmark (1905)
Northern Ireland v Spain (2015)

Group G:
Bulgaria v Slovenia (1800)
Albania v Romania (1900)
Netherlands v Belarus (1930)

Group B - Match 1: Italy v Lithuania

2 September 2006: Italy 1-1 Lithuania (Naples)
Italy were forced to battle back from a goal down to salvage a draw against lowly Lithuania in their first competitive game since being crowned world champions in front of 60,000 fans in Naples. AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi nullified Vitalijus Kavaliauskas' shock 20th-minute opener, but the Azzurri's embarrassment will last longer than the 10 minutes which separated those two strikes.

The visiting threat became apparent as early as the third minute when Robertas Poskus blasted wide from 20 yards and then again four minutes later when Kavaliauskas forced Gianluigi Buffon into making a save.

Antonio Cassano, back in the side after missing out on the World Cup, and Gennaro Gatusso both caused trouble at the other end as Italy established their presence, but with 20 minutes played Lithuania turned the game on its head. Brescia's Marius Stankevicius swung the ball into the box from the right and Kavaliauskas, 18 yards out, directed his left-footed drive past Buffon for 0-1.

Italy blasted shots at Zydrunas Karcemarskas' goal, but Lithuania held tight and pursued one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. For 10 minutes it looked possible, and Italian frustration began to show.

Simone Perrotta was shown the yellow card after 27 minutes for a foul on Mantas Savenas, but the Azzurri ensured the panic was short-lived. Cassano, gathering the ball on the left with half an hour played, fed his pass into Inzaghi's path and the AC Milan striker made no mistake from 12 yards out.

Lithuania bounced back after the break, Poskus bringing another save out of Buffon, but as the half wore on Italy reasserted their presence. Andrea Pirlo had a shot blocked and Cassano failed to convert a couple of chances, but for all their possession they could not find the net and the Lithuanians held on to claim a stunning point.

Italy: Buffon; Oddo, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Grosso; Pirlo, De Rossi (Marchionni 61), Gattuso; Perrotta (Gilardino 71), Inzaghi (Di Michele 86), Cassano.
Lithuania: Karcemarskas; Stankevicius, Dziaukstas, Preiksaitis, Skerla; Zvirgzdauskas, Savenas (Kalonas 65), Danilevicius, Cesnauskis, Poskus (Labukas 79); Mikoliunas (Tamosauskas 82).
Ref: Hansson (Swe).


Other Group B Matches
World Cup finalists France started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat of Georgia in Tbilisi. Florent Malouda opened the scoring and Louis Saha added a second, while Malkhaz Asatiani put the ball into his own net to complete a miserable afternoon for the home team.

Scotland opened their campaign with an impressive 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands at Celtic Park, with Darren Fletcher, James McFadden, Kris Boyd (two), Kenny Miller and Garry O'Connor scoring.

Group A
Poland's campaign got off to a disastrous start with a 3-1 defeat at home to Finland, for whom Jari Litmanen bagged a brace. Mika Vaeyrynen got the other, while Lukasz Gargula got a consolation for the hosts, who also had Arkadiusz Glowacki sent off.

Serbia crept to a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan, with Nikola Zigic grabbing the winner 18 minutes from time.

Group C
Norway got off to a fine start with a 4-1 thumping away in Hungary, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bagging a brace and Fredrik Stromstad and Morten Gamst Pedersen grabbing the others, while Zoltan Gera got the hosts' consolation.

Bosnia-Herzegovina hammered Malta 5-2 in Valletta, Sergei Barbarez opening the scoring and Mirko Hrgovic and Zlatan Muslimovic both scoring twice. Jamie Pace and Michael Mifsud scored as the home side made a disappointing start to their campaign.

In the group's other game, Euro 2004 champions Greece won 1-0 away in Moldova despite Angelos Basinas missing a penalty, with Nikos Liberopoulos sparing their blushes.

Group D
Germany beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Stuttgart, with Lukas Podolski notching the winner thanks to a deflected free-kick.

Czech Republic left it late to beat Wales 2-1, substitute David Lafata scoring twice either side of a Martin Jiranek own goal to give Karel Bruckner's side a scarcely-deserved three points.

Slovakia thumped Cyprus 6-1 in Bratislava, with Marek Mintal and Filip Sebo both hitting doubles for the home team.
Martin Skrtel and Miroslav Karhan also got on the scoresheet, while Yiasemakis Yiasemi struck a Cypriot consolation.

Group E
England defeated minnows Andorra 5-0 at Old Trafford, with Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe both scoring twice in Steve McClaren's first competitive match. Steve Gerrard scored the other.

In the group's other game, Israel scored an early goal to see off the threat of Estonia 1-0 in Tallinn, with Roberto Colautti getting the all-important goal.

Group F
Spain thumped Liechtenstein 4-0 to get off to a fine start, with David Villa scoring twice and Fernando Torres and Luis Garcia also getting on the scoresheet.

Northern Ireland began their campaign disastrously with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Iceland at Windsor Park. Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson, Hermann Hreidarsson and Eidur Gudjohnsen scored for the visiting team.

Sweden collected three points away at Latvia, with Kim Kallstrom scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory seven minutes before half-time.

Group G
Marco van Basten's Holland were so nearly embarrassed by Luxembourg but managed to scrape home 1-0, with a Joris Mathijsen strike.

Belarus were held 2-2 by Albania, with Timofei Kalachyov and Maxim Romashchenko bagging for the Belarussians and Ervin Skela and Besnik Hasi hitting back for the visitors.

Martin Petrov scored twice in the last eight minutes to earn Bulgaria a 2-2 draw away in Romania, with Laurentiu Rosu and Ciprian Marica notching for the hosts, who also had Gabriel Tamas dismissed late on.

View Euro 2008 Results >>>

U21: Iceland v Italy

Iceland U21 0-1 Italy U21: Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo lived up to his billing as the star attraction in the Italy squad by scoring the only goal as the Azzurrini won 1-0 in Iceland.

The 21-year-old's decisive strike came in the 56th minute, although the perennial finalists were unable to relax as Iceland fought to keep alive their hopes of qualifying from Group 5 after drawing their opening game 0-0 in Austria. Pierluigi Casiraghi had said before his first game in charge that Italy "could not afford to underestimate Iceland" and he will no doubt repeat those words before Tuesday’s visit of Austria, despite needing just a point in Forli to earn a place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs.

Euro 2008: September 2 2006

World champions Italy return to competitive action on Saturday in what should be a straightforward opener against Lithuania in their qualifying quest for Euro 2008 glory. However, the euphoria that followed July's World Cup victory in Germany could evaporate in the space of four days if the Azzurri do not get off on the right foot in Group B.

Italy have been drawn in a 'group of death', which includes World Cup runners-up France, quarter-finalists Ukraine and a rejuvinated Scotland. With next Wednesday's encounter in Paris set to provide many French players with an opportunity for revenge, it is important Italy start with a win against their unheralded opponents.

Much has changed in the seven weeks since Italy won the World Cup. Most notably, coach Marcello Lippi has resigned to be replaced by Roberto Donadoni, and the new boss has shown that he will not select players based on reputation after omitting several World Cup stars, including Francesco Totti, Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero.

The fixture is set to be something of an emotive homecoming for Naples-born Fabio Cannavaro, whose career started at the Stadio San Paolo as a ballboy, but has led to the 32-year-old going on to captain his nation to World Cup glory. "We all want to start this new adventure well," he said. "We need to start by beating Lithuania and then we can move on to Paris. Playing at the San Paolo will be emotional for me. When I was 10 I was a ballboy there, and now I am going back as a world champion."

These are all Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifiers. All kick-offs are in UK time.

Group A:
Serbia 1 - 0 Azerbaijan (1915)
Poland 1 - 3 Finland (1930)

Group B:
Scotland 6 - 0 Faroe Islands (1500)
Georgia 0 - 3 France (1700)
Italy 1 - 1 Lithuania (1950)

Group C:
Malta 2 - 5 Bosnia-Herzegovina (1815)
Hungary 1 - 4 Norway (1900)
Moldova 0 - 1 Greece (1915)

Group D:
Czech Republic 1 - 2 Wales (1915)
Slovakia 6 - 1 Cyprus (1915)
Germany 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland (1945)

Group E:
England 5 - 0 Andorra (1700)
Estonia 0 - 1 Israel (1930)

Group F:
Northern Ireland 0 - 3 Iceland (1500)
Latvia 0 - 1 Sweden (1900)
Spain 4 - 0 Liechtenstein (2100)

Group G:
Belarus 2 - 2 Albania (1800)
Luxembourg 0 - 1 Netherlands (1930)
Romania 2 - 2 Bulgaria (1900)

Iceland U21 0-1 Italy U21: Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo lived up to his billing as the star attraction in the Azzurrini squad by scoring the only goal as they won 1-0 in Iceland. The 21-year-old's decisive strike came in the 56th minute, although the perennial finalists were unable to relax as Iceland fought to keep alive their hopes of qualifying from Group 5 after drawing their opening game 0-0 in Austria. Pierluigi Casiraghi had said before his first game in charge that Italy "could not afford to underestimate Iceland" and he will no doubt repeat those words before Tuesday’s visit of Austria, despite needing just a point in Forli to earn a place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs.