Friday,
June 22, 2007
Azzurrini
Garner Spot for 2008 Beijing Olympics vs Portugal
on Penalty Kicks 4-3
The
Italian Under 21 Soccer Team was favored to win the
2008 European Championships, in the Netherlands,
their sixth title, but they never really recovered from the disappointment
of opening-day defeat against Serbia.
A 2-2 draw with England
followed, and although Pierluigi Casiraghi's team beat the Czech Republic
3-1 in their final outing, it was only good enough for third place in Group A,
but not the Playoffs..
Some have accused Italy of
coming into the tournament with a superiority complex, turning up in the Netherlands to
collect their trophy but Casiraghi
claims only that things did not go according to plan.
It
was critical for Italy to
beat Portugal, to
qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The
Italians made it more difficult for themselves, because they were reduced
to 10 men from the 74th minute, after Giuseppe Rossi was dismissed after
receiving a second yellow card. Italy
survived several near miss late attacks, including overtime. This
close-fought contest ended 0-0, but then Italy won on
penalty kicks. 4-3.
Italy
has taken part in 14 Olympic tournaments and were
bronze medallists in Athens three years ago.
Italy
win Olympics Place after Under-21 Play-off
Reuters
Friday June 22, 2007
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Italy won a ticket to the 2008 Beijing Olympics
after beating Portugal 4-3
on penalties in their European Under-21 championship play-off in Nijmegen on Thursday,
despite being reduced to 10 men from the 74th minute.
Italy goalkeeper Emiliano
Viviano saved a spot-kick by Portugal's Manuel Fernandes then Antunes hit wide, sending the Italians through.
After
a close-fought contest for much of the game Italy's
Giuseppe Rossi was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for arguing
with a match official, and having earlier been booked for a late challenge on
Silvestre Varela.
However, Portugal failed
to break the deadlock in extra-time.
European Under-21
semi-finalists qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
although England are excluded because the International Olympic Committee
only counts Britain
as a member.
As England were one of the teams to reach the
semi-final, Portugal and Italy, who came third in groups A and B, played
for a chance to join Belgium,
Serbia and the Netherlands in China.
Italy have taken part in 14
Olympic tournaments and were bronze medallists in Athens three years ago.
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