As a newly-minted Football (soccer) nut, I am taking up Italy's cause.*^ Not just the Azzurri (the National Team), but the Italian clubs. All of them.
*although Brazil and Argentina are my real passion!** (and Mexico! I <3 Mexico!)
Napoli and Barcalona are my clubs now (and Messi and Neymar are both with Barca! Yay!!!), but in international competitions I am rooting for all the Italian clubs.
(although really my clubs are the Brazilian and Argentine national teams!)
(2018: Now my clubs are Barcelona, Santos and Boca Juniors! Go all 3!!!)
(I still like Napoli too!)
The Azzurri (the Italian National Team) have struggled in the World Cup since their brilliant win in 06- BUT... in the last few years they have finished 2nd in the European Championship (2012), 3rd in the Confederations Cup (2013) (which included victors Brazil, World and European Champions Spain and American Champions Uruguay)... and then had what I thought was an impressive performance in a very tough group in the World Cup... and failed to move on from the group stage. What a pity for a great team! They lost to Uruguay when Uruguay scored the only goal as the Italien players were shouting to the officials that one of their men had been bit... a tie and they would have moved on with a 1-1-1 record.
Teams have won the World Cup after a 1-1-1 group stage in weaker groups than the Azzurri faced- a true 'Group of Death', one of a few at this year's World Cup. After that I just have to root for Italia... great team, great dissappointment.
Oh, and the STYLE the great Azzurri teams have shown! 82, 94, 06... the Beautiful Game indeed! Such artistic Football!!!
But the next major competition for the Azzurri is in two years, while two Italian clubs are in the European Club Championship and are doing well (October 21, 2014... both lost the next day*** -(and I'm getting a feeling that Bayern Munich will win it all again... they have like a third of the starters from the World Champion German team... must be incredible to watch...!!!))... so here's hoping! Go Italia!
And have fun, whoever you root for!
David S. Annderson
**Yes, that's right, I'm rooting for both Brazil and Argentina. I got tired of sports rivalries back in the Kings vs Lakers days. Besides, I just love them both so much!!!
^2018:Whoa. Did I just curse Italy back in 2014? Sorry, Italy!
***May 2015... it's between Juventus (of Italy) and one of my clubs, Barcelona... Yay!!!!!
***^(2018)Ah, the 2015 season in Barcelona... (sigh!)