[SetPeace]

I know most nations have their soccer and olympic teams outfitted in their national colors. My question concerns those countries that do not wear the same colors that we see on their flags. I know Italy is known as the Azzurri, or "Blues". Does anyone know the reason or history behind the Italian teams sporting blue and white, rather than a red-white-green combination? The same question could be asked for New Zealand (black and white), Australia and South Africa (green and gold), Netherlands (orange), and Japan (blue and white). Also, I know Germany (particularly the soccer teams) traditionally likes to wear black and white, with very little red and gold in their uniforms. Any help on this would be appreciated. For sure, when I see a team decked out in forest green and gold, I automatically assume it's the Aussies or South Africans. It doesn't confuse me since I've watched international sporting competitions for years. I'm just curious about the origins.

[Tuco]

Here in Holland, the national colour is orange because the royal family originally came from a principality that went by the same name. Before I moved here, I thought it had something to do with tulips

[Toon³]

Italy wear blue because it is the colour of the Italian royal family. Or something like that.

[Cassano]

Originally Posted by Toon²

Italy wear blue because it is the colour of the Italian royal family. Or something like that.

Why Italy wear Blue:
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312600

[SetPeace]

Thanks for the help on the Dutch and Italian teams. William of Orange and his wife Mary came to the English throne in 1689 or thereabouts. The College of William & Mary is named after them, and is the third oldest university in the U.S.--it's all coming back to me now!

[SetPeace]

Thanks for the help on the Dutch and Italian teams. William of Orange and his wife Mary came to the English throne in 1689 or thereabouts. The College of William & Mary is named after them, and the second oldest university in the U.S.--it's all coming back to me now!

[Leto]

Germany's second strip is green because Ireland were the first team to play them in a friendly after WWII, so they adopted our colours.

[Dwbakke]

Originally Posted by Leto

Germany's second strip is green because Ireland were the first team to play them in a friendly after WWII, so they adopted our colours.

Except Germany's second strip is now red

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592

[Leto]

Oops, forgot about that. Well, their second strip was green because...etc.

[Mr Hanki's Throne]

India does blue (just asked my sysadmin, I know an awful stereotype), but that is from the little blue wheel logo in the middle of the flag.