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Italy will finish 2007 in third place in FIFA’s World Rankings as Argentina end the year in pole position.
The Azzurri’s successful Euro 2008 qualification campaign hasn’t been enough to lift Roberto Donadoni’s men back to the top.
Copa America runners-up Argentina stole first place from the World champions in October and remain there despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Final.
Although December's ranking is relatively unchanged, the leadership of the rankings changed six times with the Albiceleste now ending the year as 'Team of the Year'.
Italy’s Euro 2008 Group C opponents France and the Netherlands are in seventh and eighth respectively and Romania are thirteenth.
The next ranking will be published on 16 January 2008.
World Top 10 (December 2007):
[1] Argentina, 1523 points
[2] Brazil, 1502
[3] Italy, 1498
[4] Spain, 1349
[5] Germany, 1298
[6] Czech Republic, 1290
[7] France, 1243
[8] Portugal, 1241
[9] Netherlands, 1170
[10] Croatia, 1129
[Full Rankings]
Source: FIFA
Italy have been handed a tough group for the UEFA Euro 2008 finals in Austria & Switzerland after being drawn with the Netherlands, Romania and France in Group C.
The draw for next years tournament was made in the Culture and Convention Centre on the shores of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland today.
The full draw
[Group A] Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey.
[Group B] Austria, Croatia, Germany and Poland.
[Group C] Netherlands, Italy, Romania and France.
[Group D] Greece, Sweden, Spain and Russia.
The World champions, as second seeds, always knew they were in danger of being drawn in a 'group of death', as all the top nations were spread across four seeding pots for the draw.
The Netherlands, who finished behind Romania in qualification Group G, were amongst the top seeds.
The Azzurri reached the finals by topping qualification Group B ahead of rivals France, and the all-too familiar rivals have been drawn together again.
The World champions open their tournament against the Dutch - winners in 1988 - on June 9 in Berne. Adrian Mutu's Romania take on Roberto Donadoni's men on June 13 in Zurich and the final group match will be a repeat of the 2006 FIFA World Cup final in Zurich on June 21 against France, who have won the European crown twice in 1984 and in 2000 - against the Azzurri in the final.
Switzerland were already placed in Group A and they have been joined by the Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey. Co-hosts Austria are drawn with Croatia, Germany and Poland in Group B.
Reigning European champions Greece will play Sweden, Spain and Russia in Group D.
Switzerland will face the Czech Republic in the opening match of the 13th European Championship on 7 June in Basle. The tournament will reach a climax in the Austrian capital of Vienna on 30 June.
The rest of the matches will be held in Swiss cities Berne, Zurich and Geneva and the Austrian host cities of Innsbruck, Klagenfurt and Salzburg.EURO 2008 DRAW: [Draw in full] - [Match Schedule] - [Reaction] - [Record] - [Azzurri base]
The seedings for the Euro 2008 finals draw has thrown up the possibility of the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and France all being drawn in a single group.
The teams are spread across four pots for Sunday's draw, which takes place at 1100 (UK Time) in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Hosts Switzerland and Austria, Greece and the Netherlands are the top seeds, while Italy are placed in the second pot of seeds.
France coach Raymond Domenech has spoken out against the seeding system, ridiculing the fact that World Champions Italy are seeded in the second pot, and the runners-up are in the last pot.
"It's laughable if the world champions don't get the final top seeding," he said. "Who does deserve to be on top if not Italy? I do not understand this."
However, Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni was more philosophical, explaining: "There is no point making a fuss about it, we will wait for the draw and assess it."
Benvenuto signor Donadoni, Dobro dosli gospodine Bilic, Bienvenido senor Aragones read some of the welcome messages outside the Culture and Convention Centre where the draw takes place on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
For the first time the coaches of the 16 competing nations are gathered together on Swiss soil. The next time they meet, Euro 2008 will be under way and Greece will have begun the defence of their title.
Kick off may still be 189 days away but it will feel a lot closer for the 16 competing nations come Sunday when they discover who they will meet in the group stage and where they will be playing.
Basel, Berne, Zurich and Geneva will be staging games in Switzerland, with co-hosts Austria holding matches in Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Vienna between 7 and 29 June.
Seven hundred and fifty journalists will be descending on Lucerne as well as a host of footballing luminaries and dignatories, not least tenor Jose Carreras, who along with the Vienna Boys' Choir will be performing prior to the draw.
Switzerland and Austria are already allocated into positions A1 and B1 respectively. The draw will begin with the placement of the other top two seeds in positions C1 and D1. The draw will then continue with Pot 4, Pot 3 and ends with Pot 2.
The seeding in full (Coefficient):
[Pot 1] Switzerland (1.800), Austria (1.500), Greece (2.167), Netherlands (2.417).
[Pot 2] Croatia (2.409), Italy (2.364), Czech Republic (2.333), Sweden (2.273).
[Pot 3] Romania (2.250), Germany (2.250), Portugal (2.192), Spain (2.182).
[Pot 4] Poland (2.167), France (2.091), Turkey (1.958), Russia (1.958).
Source: UEFA
The draws for the Elite round of the UEFA Under 19's and Under 17's European Championships were made in Cannes this week.
Both Azzurrini age groups are looking to qualify for next years tournaments but they have been handed tough groups.
Italy's Under 19 side, coached by Francesco Rocca, topped Group 13 of the qualification section with wins over Montenegro (3-1), Malta (2-0) and Croatia (3-1) earlier this month.
The 2003 winners have now been drawn with 2005 champions France in the Elite round, along with Sweden and Switzerland in Group 6.
Spain are the current champions at this level - and have won it in the last two editions.
The winners of each of the seven Elite round sections, which will be completed by 30 May 2008, will join hosts the Czech Republic in the final tournament, which will be held from 14 to 26 July 2008.
The Azzurrini's Under 17 group, who have won the tournament only one in 1982, also qualified with ease with wins over Armenia (2-1), Cyprus (7-1) and Czech Republic (2-1) in qualification Group 13 in October.
Luca Gotti's young side now face holders Spain in Group 6 of the Elite round, along with Austria and Romania.
The Under 17's Elite round will be completed by the end of March 2008, with the seven winning teams from each section progressing to the final draw. The final tournament will be held in Turkey, between 4 and 16 May 2008.
[UEFA Under 19] - [UEFA Under 17]
World champions Italy have been drawn with Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Azzurri were one of the nine seeds in the European draw for the qualifying round that was performed this afternoon in Durban, South Africa.
They were assigned to Group 8 and avoided some of the potential big guns, such as England and Scotland, who were not seeded.
Instead their toughest opponents would appear to be Bulgaria and Ireland, neither of them qualified for Euro 2008.
Georgia were also in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and were beaten home and away, while Montenegro and Cyprus are not expected to cause too many problems.
There are nine European groups in total with the group winners all qualifying automatically. The best eight runners-up enter the two-legged play-offs for the final four spots.
Although they won the trophy in Germany last year, the Azzurri must still go through the qualifying process.
Only hosts South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals, leaving all the other countries around the world fighting for the remaining 31 spots.
Qualifying in Europe starts after the UEFA Euro 2008 finals in September 2008.
Full European draw
[Group 1] Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta.
[Group 2] Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg.
[Group 3] Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino.
[Group 4] Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein.
[Group 5] Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia.
[Group 6] Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra.
[Group 7] France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands.
[Group 8] Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro.
[Group 9] Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia, Iceland.
[Azzurri reaction]
Source: C4 Football Italia / FIFA
Holders Italy are confirmed as one of the nine European seeds in the 2010 World Cup draw to be held on Sunday.
The wins against Scotland and the Faroe Islands has seen them remain in 3rd place in the latest FIFA World Rankings - only behind the South American duo of Argentina and Brazil.
This means the Azzurri are amongst the top nine European countries in the draw with Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia and Greece.
But the World champions could face Scotland again, or England, as they are both placed in Pot 2 for the draw.
[Latest FIFA World Rankings]
The ceremony in South Africa will commence with the Asian zone, followed by CONCACAF, Europe and finally Africa. Exempt from the draw are South America, whose qualifiers are already underway in a home-and-away league format, and Oceania, whose preliminary competition began with the South Pacific Games in August.
The 53 European nations will be divided into eight groups of six teams each and one group of five. The nine group winners will directly enter the 2010 World Cup finals, while the eight second-placed sides do battle in play-offs to whittle down the total 13 European entries.
SEEDS FOR EUROPEAN DRAW:
[Pot 1] Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece.
[Pot 2] England, Romania, Scotland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Israel.
[Pot 3] Norway, Ukraine, Serbia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium.
[Pot 4] Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova, Wales, Macedonia, Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus.
[Pot 5] Georgia, Albania, Slovenia, Latvia, Iceland, Armenia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.
[Pot 6] Liechtenstein, Estonia, Malta, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands, San Marino.
Draw takes place on Sunday 25 November at 1500 (UK Time) in Durban, South Africa.
Source: FIFA
World champions Italy remain third in November's FIFA World Rankings, but they have closed the gap on leaders Argentina and second-placed Brazil.
Argentina's first defeat in their South American World Cup qualifying has allowed Brazil and Italy to close the gap at the top of the latest rankings, although the Albiceleste will take their slender advantage with them into the new year.
The Azzurri, who beat Scotland and the Faroe Islands this week to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2008 finals, are still top of the table of European nations meaning they will be amongst the top nine seeds for the qualifying section for the 2010 World Cup.
[World Cup 2010 Draw: European Seeds]
The latest table shows significant changes among the pursuing pack: Spain (4th, up 2) have opened a sizeable gap on the rest of the top ten, the Czech Republic (6th, up 3) have powered ahead after winning their Euro 2008 qualifying group, and resurgent European champions Greece (11th, up 3) are once again knocking at the top ten door.
The next ranking will be published on 17 December 2007.
World Top 10 (November 2007):
[1] Argentina, 1523 points
[2] Brazil, 1502
[3] Italy, 1498
[4] Spain, 1349
[5] Germany, 1296
[6] Czech Republic, 1290
[7] France, 1243
[8] Portugal, 1241
[9] Netherlands, 1170
[10] Croatia, 1129
[Full Rankings]
Source: FIFA
The line-up for the UEFA Euro 2008 finals was completed last night and Italy now await the draw in Lucerne on 2 December.
The World champions will be drawn from Pot 2 as the Netherlands join hosts Austria and Switzerland and holders Greece in the top pot of seeds.
Croatia’s win over England sees them join the Azzurri in Pot 2 along with Sweden and the Czech Republic.
The pots have been filled by nations in order of their coefficient points - based on the results of the qualifying competition for Euro 2008 and the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Germany, Spain and Portugal are in Pot 3 alog with Romania, and France are somewhat surprisingly in Pot 4 with Poland, Turkey and Russia.
This leaves a possible worst-case draw for Roberto Donadoni's side, which could see the Azzurri face the Netherlands, Germany/Spain/Portugal and France.
Host nations Switzerland and Austria are already allocated into positions A1 and B1 respectively. The draw will begin with the placement of the other top two seeds in positions C1 and D1. The draw will then continue with Pot 4, Pot 3 and ends with Pot 2.
The seeding in full (Coefficient):
[Pot 1] Switzerland (1.800), Austria (1.500), Greece (2.167), Netherlands (2.417).
[Pot 2] Croatia (2.409), Italy (2.364), Czech Republic (2.333), Sweden (2.273).
[Pot 3] Romania (2.250), Germany (2.250), Portugal (2.192), Spain (2.182).
[Pot 4] Poland (2.167), France (2.091), Turkey (1.958), Russia (1.958).
Draw takes place on Sunday 2 December at 1100 (UK Time) in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Source: C4 Football Italia / UEFA
Roberto Donadoni's Italy may have secured top spot in Group B, but the coach has criticised the Italian media for focusing on the negatives too much.
"I saw a great choreography and participation from the fans today," he said after the 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands at the Stadio Braglia. "Modena is a wonderful city and we’re glad we could share this fine end to our qualifying campaign with them tonight."
The Azzurri were under a lot of pressure going into the last two games, but picked up victories over Scotland and the Faroes to secure qualification and top spot respectively.
However, even France boss Raymond Domenech said it was "abhorrent" that Italy were not in the seeds for the Euro 2008 finals draw.
"The controversy is entirely sterile and pointless. We will see how the draw goes and then evaluate the situation, but this is the state of affairs so discussing it will make no difference," insisted Donadoni.
The headlines have also been dominated by questions over whether he will pen a new contract before the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.
"The contract is again a futile debate. I was asked a question about this and I answered in a civil fashion, but this is not an issue I want to think about right now.
"It’s not important to me and therefore shouldn’t be important to the journalists either."
Captain Fabio Cannavaro marked his 113th cap tonight, overtaking Dino Zoff to move second, only behind Paolo Maldini.
"Overtaking a legend like Zoff is very special, as we all grew up with the image of Super Dino. It’s also very satisfying for me to have worn the Azzurri jersey 113 times," he said.
Maldini is on 126 caps, but Cannavaro now has time to catch him up after Italy's qualification to the Euro 2008 finals.
"The fans of the Nazionale are always wonderful. When you have won the World Cup and less than two years later qualified for Euro 2008, the people appreciate that and realise the achievements we have made."
Defender Giorgio Chiellini scored a stunning third for the Azzurri and he was overjoyed at his debut goal. "I am very happy as I don’t often get to hit the back of the net. My first goal for the Nazionale is such a special moment that will remain with me forever.
He now wants to cement a starting place at Juventus and get called up for the finals next summer.
"I am certainly aiming for a place at Euro 2008. Things are going well with Juventus and I know I have to keep working hard with them to achieve it. It would be foolish to sit back now."
Luca Toni admits he was particularly happy to score in his hometown stadium for his fifth goal in qualifying.
"I really wanted to do well here. It wasn’t easy to play as they were all clammed up in their own half, but we made it," grinned the Modena native.
Youngster Raffaele Palladino is celebrating his senior debut and is targeting a place in the 23-man squad going to Austria and Switzerland.
"I am very happy just to be here on my debut and when the Coach told me I’d be in the starting XI I was very excited," he said.
"Now the path to Euro 2008 has to be travelled day after day, working constantly and improving. My first aim must be to win my spot at Juventus, then anything else must come from there.
"My teammates tell me I never shoot and always go for the assist, so after the game started going well for us I tried to get a bit of personal glory on the night. I didn’t get a goal, but the performance went well, I think."
Source: C4 Football Italia
Portugal, Russia, Sweden and Turkey became the last four countries to book places at the Euro 2008 finals on a dramatic final night of qualifying.
Co-hosts: Austria & Switzerland.
Group A: Poland & Portugal.
Group B: Italy & France.
Group C: Greece & Turkey.
Group D: Czech Rep & Germany.
Group E: Croatia & Russia.
Group F: Spain & Sweden.
Group G: Romania & Netherlands.
Nowhere was the drama more intense than in Group E where Russia grabbed second place off an England side who, needing just a point to qualify, went down 3-2 at home to Croatia, succumbing to Mladen Petric's late strike.
Dmitri Sychev's solitary strike gave Russia a 1-0 victory in Andorra which proved enough to lift them a point above England, while the impressive Croatians celebrated winning the section.
Portugal secured second place in Group A thanks to a goalless home draw with Finland – a result which ended the visitors' hopes of progress. Luiz Felipe Scolari's men finished a point behind first-time qualifiers Poland, who drew 2-2 at Serbia.
Turkey's 1-0 success against Bosnia-Herzegovina ensured them the runners-up slot behind Group C winners Greece, ending Norway's challenge in the process. Although the Scandinavians prevailed 4-1 in Malta, Turkey finished a point clear thanks to Nihat Kahveci's strike.
In Group F, meanwhile, Kim Kallstrom's second-half effort earned Sweden the 2-1 home victory against Latvia that they required to claim the runners-up berth behind Spain, whose 1-0 triumph over Northern Ireland extinguished the visitors' hopes in Gran Canaria.
Twelve teams were already sure of their places in the draw in Lucerne on 2 December. Switzerland and Austria had qualified automatically as co-hosts, and were joined by Germany, Greece, the Czech Republic and Romania last month. On Saturday, Poland, world champions Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Croatia also advanced.
Austria and Switzerland are both top seeds for the draw and they will be joined by holders Greece and Marco van Basten's Netherlands. The Azzurri have been placed in Pot 2.
Seedings for the draw:
[Pot 1] Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Netherlands.
[Pot 2] Croatia, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden.
[Pot 3] Germany, Romania, Portugal, Spain.
[Pot 4] Poland, France, Turkey, Russia.
Source: UEFA
Italy clinched first place in UEFA European Futsal Championship Group A with a comfortable defeat of the Czech Republic that keeps them apart from holders Spain in Friday's semi-finals.
Sandro Zanetti and Adriano Foglia struck before two Fabiano Assad goals ensured Italy's place in the last four, and they finished top ahead of Portugal on goal difference.
The Azzurri will continue their bid to reclaim the trophy they won in 2003 against the team that eliminated them 4-2 in the semi-finals two years later, Russia.
Group A - Matchday 3 Results:
Romania 0-3 Portugal (21-11-07)
Italy 4-0 Czech Republic (21-11-07)
Group B - Matchday 3 Results:
Russia 1-4 Spain (21-11-07)
Ukraine 2-3 Serbia (21-11-07)
Alessandro Nuccorini's side will now face holders Spain in Sunday's final, after the three-time winners beat Iberian rivals and hosts Portugal in a penalty shoot-out in the other semi.
But Fabiano Assad made it 2-0 with nine minutes remaining and Russia's bid for a second title was over, while celebrations started for the Azzurri as they secure a spot in the final.
"I would like to congratulate my players for the effort they made both physically and mentally. They did not commit any mistakes in defence. This is the best match played by Italy in our whole history," he added.
Nuccorini's side now have the chance to win a second Futsal Championship in their history - the first came after a Vinicius Bacaro-inspired Azzurri lifted the trophy back in 2003. But they know it will be difficult against Spain who are reigning FIFA World Futsal champions after their 2-1 win over Italy in 2004.