Italy 2010

i do, but i had them to win the last world cup, so can they really win it again...

maybe, but i havent got much dough on them this time...

i slightly favour the germans tbh, for the same reasons you give for italy...

ive more cash on the germans, but i also have a bit on italy

imo if di natale was more fashionable they would be about 12s, as i think most people wonder where the goals will come from. Also Gilardino is more than capable and has had a very good season at Fiorentina (Ive backed both at big odds for golden boot too)

Pazzini not Gilardino will make the world cup, well he should. As for best manager.......stubborn and to set in his ways. He has left most of the best at home. I have £40 on them but I dont see me winning any

I wouldnt be too fussed if Pazzini was playing either (especially if he's as good as he was on footy manager 05)

Which of the best has he left behind?

I can only think of Totti and possibly Del Piero.  I was very suprised Totti hasnt been picked after coming out of retirement if needed 2bh.

miccoli who happened to get injured anyway but was never going to be selected and cassano.  How Cannavaro and in particular Camoranesi will go is sickening to say the least. Lippi had his time and delivered but that era should have be left in the past. Of course I would have liked to see totti play and Aquilani should have made it now he is fit. Just no excitement or flair what so ever. Be prepared to be bored watching Italy.

His stubborness has cost good palyers the chance to shine and this makes me unhappy

Fair points, I think Miccoli is ridiculously underrated. Cassano, as good as he is, has a terrible attitude.  He would be capable of a bit of magic when needed i supppose.

How Cannavaro and in particular Camoranesi will go is sickening to say the least.

What about Pepe? lol

Cannavaro only for the team spirit is a must and he actually had a decent spring, not like his overrated team mate in Chiellini.

Marchisio - De Rossi, will be a joy to watch but thats about it, golden generation is over the hill and next not there yet.

lippi does not pick miccoli for simple reason.....he is 5'4. Cassano has changed this season. Yes he will always be capable of being same person but he hide it well this last while if you understand what I try to say. Pepe is another I forgot to include...headless chicken on acid. Some many good players....Foggia of lazio is an extremely talented tricky winger who even being injured most of season and being in and out of team should go ahed of pepe. So many players I just cannot agree with.....When Cesar taked over a brighter future for young players will begin....not Juve rejects

Italy may not win this WC, but they can cause major upsets. Their odds against Paraguay at 2ish is very good.

i wouldnt have imagined to say this few weeks ago, but i now think italy offers tremendous value.
comparee to england. same quality manager. same experience. same ageing squad ( the 2 oldest teams in the cup ). same problems in defense. ok maybe rooney is fancier than pazzini, but is he fit 100%?
and still, should italy trade at double+ over england?
a team that looks like:
buffon; maggio chiellini cannavaro criscito; derossi pirlo marchisio; iaquinta dinatale pazzini; doesnt look bad at all. semifinalists i would think.

Ageing squad, team on the downgrade, can't have Italy at all.

Yet they're still better value than England, every team in the tourney is.

Im pretty sure a lot of people thought they were an ageing squad on the downgrade 4 years ago.

Friendly v Mexico in a few days could be interesting.

who do we think will start as centre forward for them?

Id have thought Gilardino and Di Natale, people mentioning Pazzini? He's huge in golden boot market though which suggests to me he'l be a bench man.

Albion Dan is most likely correct but Pazzini of the bench could make an big impact and after that he could start

thanks guys. Italian strikers seem the standout pricewise if we can decide which one will start.

lippi picked up qualgliarella as 5th striker instead of rossi or borriello. so it s now gila/pazzini/iaquinta/dinatale/qualgliarella. dinatale is the only one sure of the place

Not the best performance yesterday, also Pirlo now a doubt....
I do think Mexico are a decent team though and at treble figures could be a nice trade as I think they will get to 1/4s. (ive also backed them at 110/120)