Re: Italy's Class of '83-'84 (U-21s) [R] What a team. These guys could beat some full international teams out there. Bovo, Montolivo, Curci, Pazzini, Curci. Donadel, Motta . . . . (whistles).
Re: Italy's Class of '83-'84 (U-21s) [R] Well, anything can happen in a playoff. Let's hope they just beat Hungary's U-21s. A couple years ago, the team which went onto win the U-21 championship (Gilardino, De Rossi et al) barely squeaked through their playoff (vs Denmark) on away goals, and the away goal was a lucky own-goal that the Danish keeper punched into his own net. Anyway, the first leg in Hungary is going to be shown on RAI International next Friday, November 11, 2:30 pm. Although the listings aren't out yet for the following week, I'm sure the return leg will also be shown on Tuesday the 15th.
Re: Italy's Class of '83-'84 (U-21s) [R] In his time with the U-21s, Cassano scored a spectacular goal vs. Hungary, one similar to his amazing strike vs. Inter for Bari. Let's hope for more of that.
Re: Italy's Class of '83-'84 (U-21s) [R] Attacker Raffaele Palladino has had to leave training camp with an injury. In his place, Gentile has called in Lecce's Giuseppe Cozzolino. BTW, both legs of the playoff will be shown live on RAI International. Fri Nov 11 - Hungary vs Italy 2:30 pm (in Budapest) Tue Nov 15 - Italy vs Hungary 3 pm (in Fermo) (times are Eastern Standard Time)
U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] I have a thread just for the U-21s but thought I'd start a separate one just for the qualifying playoff vs Hungary which begins in Budapest on Friday and finishes in Fermo on Tuesday. Only 8 teams qualify for next summer's European finals for this age level, so even though Italy easily won its qualifying group, the team still has to go through a playoff to qualify. Coach Claudio Gentile has already announced his starting lineup for the first leg. Despite some suggestion that he'd start with just Pazzini up front, it looks like he's going with his usual 4-4-2: Curci; Potenza, Bovo, Canini, Chiellini; Rosina, Sammarco, Donadel, Galloppa; Pazzini, Pepe. Friday's game will be aired on RAI International, with the kick-off at 2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Does anyone know if this game will be streaming on the net? Thanks.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] It's being carried on RAI Tre, which doesn't have a live stream that I'm aware of (although I was surprised when somebody posted a stream for RAI Uno the other day, so maybe somebody else knows). Last week, RAI Tre was available on the streaming program SOPCast (download available at www.sopcast.org). However, I just checked and don't see it there at the moment, so I'm not sure what's up there. I have no idea on whether any Hungarian channel might have it.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] This match you can watch live in here: http://www.takeforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116&mforum=stream
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Hungary vs. Italy Üllői út (Ferencváros stadion), Tickets: 0 HUF Free! Tonight 20.30 CET Referees: Vezeti: Serge Gumienny (Walter Vromans, Alex Verstraeten) - from Belgium TV: RAITRE, Sport1 Web-TV: http://www.takeforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116&mforum=stream Hungary: Fülöp - Vanczák, Juhász R., Máté, Takács Z. - Czvitkovics, Sándor Gy., Vadócz, Huszti - Tisza, Feczesin. Italy: Curci - Potenza, Canini, Bovo, Chiellini - Motta, Rosina, Montolivo, Donadel - Pazzini, Pepe.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Italy looks pretty good in the first 15 minutes. Daniele Galloppa, owned by Roma but plays with Triestina, is an interesting player. He had his back to the goal and a defender on his back, he juggled the ball to the right, and then scissor-kicked the ball at goal but the keeper had it covered. Really nice move by Galloppa.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] 1-1 FT. Donadel scored in the 2nd, then Hungary equalized just before the whistle. On the road, this may not be such a bad result.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] 1-1 FT. Donadel took a shot from 30 yards out and do to the slippery field conditions, fooled the keeper and went in. Hungary scored on a shot from outside the box that Curci (who was excellent) couldn't do anything about. Standouts in the game: Curci- What a goalkeeper. I don't know why Roma prefer Doni. Donadel- It's obvious that after WC 2006 he'll become a regular for the Azzurri. Great up-and-coming center midfielder. Galloppa and Defendi- Two great winger prospects for the future. Each are speedy and have great technique. Galloppa plays left-mid, Defendi-right. Pazzini- Definitely Italy's punta of the future. Great pace, technique, and shooting ability. Bovo- Strong defender, good free-kick ability. Could be a back-up on the Azzurri after 2006.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] I didn't see it but I concur on your assessment of these two overall. Pazzini has not gotten the kind of playing time this season that he had last year (Donadel is now a regular starter for us) but they are both a real joy to watch. Can any of you give me assessment of how Chiellini and Montolivo looked?
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Huszti(Metz) played very good, he's goal is great!
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Montolivo did not play, and Chiellini did not have a very good game. He was caught half-heartedly double-teaming a guy on the side of the box who then passed it to the wide-open player that he'd left open, which resulted in Hungary's goal. "Gran tiro del centrocampista magiaro dal limite, sulla destra, dove Chiellini è vittima di un'amnesia..." is how the chronoclist at La Repubblica described the play. He'd gotten burned badly earlier on another play, but Hungary couldn't take advantage. I think it's too kind to blame Donadel's goal on the slippery conditions. It bounced three times and the guy just let it go through him. It was a total goalkeeping blunder, mindful of the goal Italy scored against Denmark when they got this same result two years ago in the first leg of the qualifying playoff. I hope Italy wins on Tuesday instead of relying on a half-deserved away goal like last time. Game report and tabellino from La Repubblica: http://www.repubblica.it/2005/k/sez...nale/ungitaund21/ungitaund21/ungitaund21.html UNGHERIA-ITALIA 1-1 UNGHERIA (4-4-2): Fulop; Vanczak, Juhasz, Matè, Takacs; Czvitkovics (18' st Bori), Gy. Sandor, Vandocz, Huszti; Feczesin, Tisza (1' st Priskin). Allenatore: Roth ITALIA (4-4-2): Curci; Potenza, Canini, Bovo, Chiellini; Rosina (15' st Defendi), Sammarco, Donadel, Galloppa; Pepe, Pazzini. Allenatore: Gentile. ARBITRO: Gumienny (Belgio) RETI: 13' st Donadel (I), 28' st Huszti (U) NOTE: Serata buona, terreno scivoloso. Alcuni petardi esplodono nel primo e nel secondo tempo. Angoli: Recuperi: 1', 2'. Ammoniti: Sammarco (I), Matè (U), Pazzini (I)
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] You can find video highlight the HungaryU21-ItalyU21 match! http://www.takeforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117&mforum=stream
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Anybody know what the black armbands are all about?
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] They mark the recent death of former Italy coach Ferruccio Valcareggi. They even had a minute's silence ahead of yesterday's game - in Hungary!
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Looks as though Pazzini has notched one. 1-0 Italy in the 55th.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] And Italy are through to the U-21 finals. Pazzini's goal settled it today--1-0 FT. This is not a goal-scoring team, though, and without a striker like Gilardino, they will have to rely heavily on a well-marshalled defense.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Well-done by the ragazzi in really horrendous conditions. The field was a disaster, and it was pouring rain throughout the match. Even though it was Hungary who needed to score, it was Italy who pressed the game, looking for the one goal to give them a little bit of a cushion. Hungary really seemed to be waiting and hoping for a break - a slip by a defender, a dropped ball by the keeper, or simply the right bounce on a set piece - to get the goal they needed. Any of those could've happened in the poor conditions, but none did and Italy advanced. Meanwhile, Italy's goal was a thing of beauty. Rosina drove down the left wing and, when he could make no further progress against two defenders, dropped it neatly for Chiellini to one-time the cross. Pazzini beat his marker to the ball and glanced it inside the far post. Beautiful. Also, remember this team is still missing Rolando Bianchi, who made such a promising start to the qualifying campaign. If he can come back to full strength this season, Italy's attack will be that much more potent. BTW, France and Germany have also advanced to the final 8, with the other 5 finalists to be determined today. I think I heard the RAI announcers say that Italy and Portugal (should they advance over Switzerland) are the two main candidates to host the finals in the spring.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] According to uefa.com, the UEFA Executive Committee will meet to determine the host for the tournament (scheduled for May 25-June 6) on Dec 14-15. The draw for the tournament will take place on Feb 8. Here is the full list of 8 teams taking part: Denmark France Germany Italy Netherlands Portugal Serbia-Montenegro Ukraine Even if Italy doesn't host, I imagine they'll still be one of the two top seeds based on previous successes at this level.
Re: U-21 European qualifying playoff - Italy vs Hungary [R] Is the UEFA U-21 tournament the qualifying precursor to the Olympics? What is the likelihood Rossi will play with this team? Thanks.