In the latest installment of our series, Wayne Girard asked Richard Hall to choose his favourite goals, games and person to hang out with on a desert island. Rich is...
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‘Viva Rivera, Mandelli in galera’: The forgotten story of Walter Mandelli and Italy’s 1970 World Cup
‘There are ten thousand fans waiting at Fiumicino,’ announced the captain of the plane carrying the Italian team home from Mexico City on Monday June 21 1970, the day...
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Remembering Italy at Euro 2000
It was 20 years ago that a golden goal settled the final of Euro 2000 and it went against Italy. France, the reigning global champions at the time after lifting...
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Giorgio Chinaglia: Lazio’s unsaintly champion
In May 2017 during an official visit to Rome, Donald Trump’s eldest daughter Ivanka was in the famous Ristorante Da Sabatino. Just above an image of the capuchin monk...
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France ’98 and the staffetta: Baggio vs. Del Piero, the race for Italy’s no. 10
Origins If the word ‘staffetta’ is translated into English, it roughly means relay. The word is generally associated with athletics – contests between two or more teams in running...
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The rise of the Azzurre: How World Cup qualification could kickstart a new era for Italy’s women
It’s safe to say that the World Cup in Russia this summer has been quite enjoyable to watch. Last minute winners, stunning goals and fancied teams crashing out early...
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The ecstasy before the agony: Roberto Baggio vs. Bulgaria (1994)
The everlasting image of the 1994 World Cup portrays a lonely Roberto Baggio disconsolately looking down at the penalty spot while all around him Brazil players celebrate. His head...
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The penalty that salvaged a dream: Francesco Totti vs. Australia (2006)
“Francescooooooo! Totti! Totti! Totti!,” yelled Italian commentator Fabio Caressa. The Azzurri had just been rescued by the forward’s last gasp penalty kick against Australia, securing a spot in the...
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Gol di Grosso: Italy, Germany and that night in Dortmund
For generations of football fans, Italy are the quintessential World Cup team. Skilful, stylish and exciting, Gli Azzurri have been involved in some iconic World Cup moments. While many...
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Italy’s déjà vu: How Azeglio Vicini’s Azzurri failed to qualify for Euro 92
Many among the 70,000 crowd gathered in the San Siro released an involuntary gasp as Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz blew a shrill, long note from his whistle. As the...
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