European Championship 2008 - Italy

Italy are one of the top teams in the world and are the current World Cup Champions with a catalogue of success featuring four World Cups wins in 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006, and only second best to Brazil. They also won the Euro championships in 1968.

In recent times italian football has been clouded in controversy caused by the 2006 Serie A scandal and in 2007 the death of a fan at a football match all not good for the Italian football image.

Italy came out Group B winners ahead of France as they secured a 3-1 victory against the Faroe Islands in Modena and this was Fabio Cannavaro night as the Azzurri captain made his 113th international appearance going ahead of Dino Zoff.

The Italian Coach is Roberto Donadoni who took over after the 2006 World Cup success, so he has a lot to live up to but has the credentials to match the feats of former manager Marcello Lippi.

Italy are generally an 11/2 chance just behind germany in the betting to add another Euro championships to their successes in big tournaments.

Player To Watch - Luca Toni
Luca Toni is without doubt the traditional Italian centre forward as he is tall and acts as the target man for all Italy's attacking players and has scored 16 goals for his country and would be a decent bet for top goal scorer for Euro 2008.