We Germans are so boring, we don't even have a nickname . I can assure you that no German has ever used the word "Mannschaft" as a nickname. This just has to be a Dutch insult .
The United States hasn't had much of a nickname; newspapers often use The Yanks or Team USA. Some supporters have settled on The Nats.
In Switzerland the national team is simply called "Nati". A nickname for the whole nation, but often used in football is in Italian "Gli elvetici", in French "Les Helvétiques" and in German "Die Eidgenossen".
The 'šahovnica' is not fascist, the Ustaše nicked it and used it for their own gains... Go to Hong Kong and you will see the swastika symbol on the metro lines.
Funny Question and I always wondered the same thing.....This is what I was told, no idea if it is true......They used to wear Red I think....Anyway, the story is this.......The Torino soccer team back in the day wore blue. Much of the Torino team was on Italy's national team. The Torino team on the way to a match died in a plane crash.... Well as a tribute to that team, the national team wore blue for the next few matches.....And people liked it and it stuck. If this is wrong someone plese correct me....This is what I was told by my dad's friend. My dad is from Napoli.
Football isn't the only sport where Italy's national representatives wear blue. I think their Olympic skiers and basketball team wear blue. Almost every major Italian bicycle builder except Bianchi used to offer a frame in a blue that closely approaches what the Azzurri wear now. Pinarello, Gios and Colnago still do. I was told it had something to do with the sea, but that's probably not right. Your story sounds more believeable.
That might be the case in the last 20 years, all of them wearing blue, I think it got adopted from the soccer team, since it's the biggest thing in Italy. This is how it started. This is what I was told.
When Germany plays the next time, count how often the commentator will use the word "mannschaft". I know in German it just means "team" or "crew", but outside of German-speaking countries, the term sticked as the nickname for the German team. Especially in France the German team is referred to as "Le Mannschaft". I think in Italy it is "il Panzer" or something.
I KNOW that this is the reason . It's also on the website of the Italian Football Assocciation btw (I just checked it) - there is a section about history of the national team where it's explained as well.
Well, then Alex, I must say.....YOU ARE THE MAN !, Cause I have always wondered it as well ! Thanks, what is the website ?
Of course. But it's a purely technical term. I mean, what should he say instead? I know, but this doesn't make it sound less silly. After 4 years or so of posting on Bigsoccer I still have to grin everytime I see this .
I almost spelt it "Soccer Warriors" in my first post because of that commentator. Oops. No. I've only heard it referred to as the name of the supporters club. Sams Army... I'd be embarrased of our NT had that name, to be honest