HAMBURG, June 28, 2006 (AFP) – Factfile on Italy who play Ukraine in a World Cup quarter-final match here on Friday:
ITALY
Honours:
– Previous World Cup appearances: 15 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
– World Cup winners: 3 (1934, 1938, 1982)
– European champions: 1 (1968)
FIFA world ranking: 13
Odds: 6/1
Coach: Marcello Lippi
One of the most respected coaches in world football, Lippi is credited with building an exciting young Italian team after the twin disasters of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
A superb motivator and man-manager, Lippi is most famous for his successful spells at Juventus between 1994 and 1999 and 2001-2004. A rarity amongst his counterparts at the World Cup, he has never coached outside of Italy.
Key player: Francesco Totti
Hyped as one of the best strikers in the world, Totti has flattered to deceive at the highest level and has performed miserably at the last two tournaments he has played in, having been sent off for diving at the 2002 finals and suspended for spitting at an opponent in 2004.
Injured ankle in February.
Started the opening 2-0 win over Ghana but was substituted and replaced by Mauro Camoranesi and was replaced again in draw with USA.
He was once more on the bench in the second round tie against Australia but scored a dramatic extra-time penalty winner after being called into action to take Italy into the last eight.
