Inter is the first finalist. This means, if Roma can somehow pull its act together and win (or get a 2-2 or higher draw; 1-1 for extra time) in Udine today, they would get a spot in the UEFA Cup. The game will be shown on RAI International, delayed at 4 pm Eastern US time and on RAI Sport Satellite at 5 pm, with replays at 11:45 pm and Friday at 7:20 am.
Ah, bambini, today's game is important! Our one shot at a trophy and a spot in the UEFA Cup . . . By the way, I hear that Mancini wants to leave us in the summer. Channel 4 reports that he's on his way out.
Roma in vantaggio! According to the cronaca on the Web site of La Gazzetta, Totti has just slammed in a pk to put Roma in the lead, 2-1. It says that De Santis saved the penalty initially but the ball bounced straight back to Totti, who drove it home. Roma v. Inter if they can hold out for the next 10 or so minutes.
Totti pounces on the penalty kick rebound and drills it home! Come on boys, hold it for the final 20 minutes! IO SONO ROMANISTI!!!!!!!!!!
And we win, 2-1; on to Inter in the finals! If you read Italian you should definitely check out the cronaca on the Gazzetta's Web site. The writer there is praising Curci to the sky for his key saves. What a talent! I also note that Udinese had a player ejected for a bad-tempered kick in the finals minutes. It was on Montella (apparently) and was intentional. I think the card was to Pizarro. Incidentally, I believe this means that Totti-Cassano- Montella cannot travel to America for the Ecuador match. The final with Inter is on the 12th if I'm not mistaken . . .
Roma Quallify For Europe!!!! YES! We've got into europe with our first win under conti! what a time for it! Udinese 1-2 Roma (2-3) and we're into the final of the coppa! Great stuff, keep it up boys! FORZA ROMA, tells.
Re: Roma Quallify For Europe!!!! Yaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy So are we in Uefa Cup next year even though we didnt finish 5th to 8th in the league ????
Welcome to BigSoccer, tells. I merged your post into this thread because spoilers are not allowed in thread titles. Yes, the Coppa Italia final is two legs: June 12 in Roma and June 15 in Milan. So the trident and De Rossi won't be in NY. Might not have been picked anyway though. I'm definitely expecting an experimental lineup for the North American tour.
Re: Roma Quallify For Europe!!!! Yes, Roma gets the "Cup-winners" berth in the UEFA Cup, even if they lose to Inter because Inter is already in the CL.
I had forgot De Rossi--but yes, he won't be in New York, either. His game is becoming ever more illegal, but I still see him as having a great future . . . Tell me, Sue, what you mean by experimental--are you expecting no members from even the 2nd squad (i.e., Toni, Zaccardo, Barzagli, Roma, Chiellini, Barone, etc.)? That would be a bit depressing. I'd like to see the 2nd string strengthen its identity, as well. It is too much to start from scratch for every new friendly IMHO.
By the way it is interesting to ask how this changes things in the Roma locker room . . . Perhaps with a spot in Europe our best players will have more incentive to stay. Not sure, and of course at the end of the day it is mostly a question of money.
After a truly terrible year, Roma still gets into UEFA with the possibility of extra revenue...something that management probably weren't counting on a couple of months ago.
Inter-Roma is going to be battle. Both clubs want to win a piece of Silverware this year. It's going to be great.
No, by experimental, I mean the likes of those guys starting for Italy, with a few newcomers thrown in. I hope.
I hope so, too, Sue. Lippi's use of experimental line-ups, and the depression that sometimes brings, reminds of a show biz joke I here quite often in my office. I'll adapt it to our NT: Person 1: So did you hear who Lippi called up to the NT for the match vs. Finland? Person 2: No, who? #1: Totti, Nesta, Materrazzi . . . #2: Francesco Totti, of Roma? #1: No, Nicky Totti of Sorrento. #2: Oh. Alessandro Nesta, of Milan? #1: No, Bobby Nesta of Torino. #2: Oh. Marco Materazzi, of Inter? #1: Yes. Marco Materazzi of Inter. Hope it doesn't get lost in translation, as it were . . .
Cordoba, Cambiasso, Zanetti, Materazzi, Vieri and Adriano (1st leg) will not be playing for Inter in the Coppa Final. How can we not win?