Always present in our famous Babes of World Cup 2010 features, the reign of the Italian soccer babes in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa came to an abrupt end earlier today with the Azzuri's elimination from the competition at the hands of Slovakia. Thus, unless the Italian soccer babes in South Africa stick [.

Always present in our famous Babes of World Cup 2010 features, the reign of the Italian soccer babes in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa came to an abrupt end earlier today with the Azzuri's elimination from the competition at the hands of Slovakia. Thus, unless the Italian soccer babes in South Africa stick [.

The Italy Puma World Cup 2010 home and away kits were officially launched last week. Included as part of the kit launch was the Italy Puma World Cup 2010 Goalkeeper kit. However, at the time detailed images of Gianluigi Buffon's new strip were not readily available. Now they are. Here's a detailed look at the [.

The world of football looked on with eyes wide and mouths agape yesterday as a plethora of World Cup squads named provisional rosters for this summer's tournament in South Africa. Fabio Capello kicked off the surprises early by including names such as Adam Johnson and Michael Dawson, and throughout the day more and more surprises were named by the world's top teams.

The Italy Puma World Cup 2010 home and away kits have officially been launched. While both kits have been on sale since late last week, on Monday, March 1st, 2010 the kits were officially presented to the public via a joint press conference between Puma and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in Florence, Italy.

Frank Lampard's penalty miss in this weekend's FA Cup final kicked off a worldwide frenzy of speculation about England's chances at the World Cup 2010. The Three Lions are widely regarded as the worst big team in penalty shootouts, and with star players such as Frank Lampard missing another one in a big occasion it's no wonder why the whole of England is worried.

By Darshan Joshi, writing from Sydney, Australia

Every four years, the World Cup brings about the bamboozling and rather shocking rise of several sides who really shouldn't have done as well as they eventually did.

In 2002, we had Turkey and South Korea in the semi-finals, where they fell victim to (eventual winners) Brazil and Germany respectively.

Dirty Tactics?Well today the Azzuri just lost one potential fan in myself. Along with any other person who enjoys clean and fair football. I won't even talk about the great performance Paraguay put on because it was overshadowed by the poor character of the Italians. To start the match De Rossi went on a total dive.

Cesare Prandelli was unveiled as the new manager of the Azzurri and almost immmediately the speculation began as to whom he would bring in, bring back or toss out from one of (if not the most)...
Want to send us your comments? or looking to advertise on our site? contact us at, owngoalnetwork[at]live[dot]ca

Defending FIFA World Cup champions Italy have unveiled their 2010 Puma home and away kits. The new Azzuri home kit should make its on the field debut on Wednesday, March 3rd when Italy meets Cameroon in Monte Carlo in international friendly action. It appears to be based on Puma's new POWERCAT jersey.

Odds correct at time of writing. For latest Betfair prices, see therepulikofmancunia.com/bet.

In our third of four group-stage betting guides, betfair hone in on groups E and F.

Group E
Holland are the fourth best team in the world according to FIFA's rankings but, at 13.

Odds correct at time of writing. For latest Betfair prices, see redrants.com/bet.

In our third of four group-stage betting guides, betfair hone in on groups E and F.

Group E
Holland are the fourth best team in the world according to FIFA's rankings but, at 13.

Prandelli Offered Italy Coaching Job

Italy has yet to kick off their defense of the World Cup title but the Azzuri might already have their next coach. The BBC is reporting that current-Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli has been given the opportunity to replace Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.

A sea of Oranje, waves of Azzuri and Mexicans, the samba brigade and the Vuvezula army are on their way...

Four years have passed but this is brand new to me, as if the World Cup never happened before. A festival of football is on the way that I'll never forget.

Stadiums chock full of life, nations that may even breathe new life, teams that can become inspirational heroes and believe that this is their time, and the blistering sunshine all combine to create one big almighty party.

There's always a lot of talk about the Group of Death, a phrase used past the point of cliche, up until it has become little more than irritant. This year it is widely accepted that the hardest group is formed when you put Brazil, Portugal together and just add Ivory Coast, with North Korea as a sideshow.

Italy
Unbeaten in group 8 along with the Irish (I'm not bitter), the Azzurri were lucky to avoid the play-offs but eventually won through with some last gasp winners in the final games. They won the trophy last time conceding just 2 goals but are the famed Italian defence strong enough this time around?

Group F isn't great but don't sleep on Paraguay. (Getty Images)

By Geoff Reid

This group is one that should not give us any real surprises on paper, but then again you really never know because it's the world cup. The Italians are defending champions and will be favorites to top the group even though they haven't looked like champions in their warm up matches.

BY MIKE NASTRI

Spain's playmaker might not be making any plays against Switzerland in a week. The Barcelona star hurt his thigh in La Furia Roja's final tuneup match against Poland on Tuesday.

While the scans showed no tear, there was bruising in his right thigh.

On paper, Group F is probably the most boring group in the tournament. There are few true superstars and none of the teams play particularly attractive football. Italy (SPI rank 11) are four years removed from their triumph in Germany and coach Marcello Lippi seems adamantly opposed to changing anything from 2006.

BY MIKE NASTRI

Spanish playmaker Andres Iniesta might not be making any plays against Switzerland in a week. The Barcelona star hurt his thigh in La Furia Roja's final World Cup tune-up against Poland on Tuesday.

While the scans showed no tear, there was bruising in his right thigh.

COS contributor Oliver Davies continues his look at the World Cup groupings.

Join Victor Chandler and get upto £125 worth of free bets!

Join CaughtOffside's World Cup 2010 Fantasy Football League and win £5k!

There's always a lot of talk about the Group of Death, a phrase used past the point of cliche, up until it has become little more than an irritant.

Happy World Cup Eve everyone. Here are some top stories from around the world today.

Pirlo To Miss First Two Games

Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss the first two games of the World Cup against Paraguay and New Zealand due to a calf strain picked up in training.

When we got together for our last little PSP meeting (this is exactly what you think it is: we get together, pretend to talk about how we are going to make this blog better but just have a bunch of beers and argue about soccer) I was surprised by how much some people hate certain national teams. I of course brought this up, explaining to my cohorts that I wanted to write this here piece about how I really can't stand watching the Italian team.

When we got together for our last little PSP meeting (this is exactly what you think it is: we get together, pretend to talk about how we are going to make this blog better but just have a bunch of beers and argue about soccer) I was surprised by how much some people hate certain national teams. I of course brought this up, explaining to my cohorts that I wanted to write this here piece about how I really can't stand watching the Italian team.

Italian fans are still licking wounds the day after their beloved Azzurri finished last in World Cup Group F, officially knocked out of the remainder of the tournament. Denied the chance to defend...
Want to send us your comments? or looking to advertise on our site? contact us at, owngoalnetwork[at]live[dot]ca

Vittorio Pozzo of Italy is the only man who has ever coached two different teams to the World Cup title. And the former Azzuri manager accomplished this feat in the 1930's in two consecutive Cup runs with Italy. Of course the game has changed a lot since then and in the modern day over 200 different nations compete for a spot in the World Cup final; whereas the first few decades of the World Cup only a dozen or two teams were considered for the event.

Cesare Prandelli was unveiled as the new manager of the Azzurri and almost immmediately the speculation began as to whom he would bring in, bring back or toss out from one of (if not the most) disappointing squads in Italian World Cup history. Marcello Lippi took the blame, but the most interesting quote from the fallout camr from Fabio Cannavaro who said that while he respects Prandelli as a coach, and his ideas, he believes the best players playing in Italy were playing in South Africa despite their age.

Inspired by some of the great Italian soccer jerseys of the past, the COPA Il Capitano is the one of the latest in the Dutch sportswear firm's long line of eye-catching soccer t-shirts. In the world famous Italian blue, the COPA Il Capitano features a screenprinted Italia badge with fours stars representative of the Azzuri's four [.

Inspired by some of the great Italian soccer jerseys of the past, the COPA Il Capitano is the one of the latest in the Dutch sportswear firm's long line of eye-catching soccer t-shirts. In the world famous Italian blue, the COPA Il Capitano features a screenprinted Italia badge with fours stars representative of the Azzuri's four [.