Azzurri Prepare (They Hope) to Spank Lithuania

By: Martha | June 6th, 2007

Combine all this Totti nonsense with the Azzurri’s dismal performance against the Faroe Islands, and you’ve got a camp — and a coach — under siege ahead of today’s match in Lithuania. Donadoni started yesterday’s press conference with a minor rant against Michele Platini, but then refused to answer any questions not about the upcoming game, thus disappointing everyone in the media. Grumpy bastard.

Though nothing particularly fascinating was revealed in said press conference, we’ve been told the Don’s first 11 will differ significantly from the team which started the Faroe Islands match; among those expected to be dropped are Rino Gattuso and Alessandro Del Piero. In addition, Fabio Cannavaro is something of a doubt having picked up a knock in the Faroes match, as did defensive partner Marco Materazzi. Baring a worsening of their conditions, however, both will likely appear in the Azzurri defense, as will the now-fit Gianluca Zambrotta.

As far as Lithuania are concerned, they love Portland Trailblazer god (from the good, old, pre-Jailblazer days) Arvydas Sabonis more than they do any footballers, and seem to be looking forward to tomorrow’s opening of the NBA finals — featuring Lithuanian Zydrunas Ilgauskas — than they are this match. Euros, Smeuros: Bring on the Spurs!

Category: Azzurri, Materazzi, Serie A

Tags: Azzurri, Cannavaro, Donadoni, Lithuania, Materazzi, Sabonis, Serie A, Zambrotta

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• Muddia Dome |  June 6th, 2007 at 10:46 am

  
  
  

  Martha, you should live blog/running diary this. Come on, I got nothing going on at work.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  June 6th, 2007 at 10:59 am

  
  
  

  Trust me, Muddia, I would! It’s just that Portugal cable is denying me — I’m resorting to Estonia-England right now out of desperation, which is a lot like watching paint dry.

  Posted from Portugal

  

• Muddia Dome |  June 6th, 2007 at 11:38 am

  
  
  

  Our boy Quags nets a pair in the first half. Kinda brutal following on ESPN Gamecast though. But, looking good nonetheless.

  Posted from United States

  

• Paolo |  June 6th, 2007 at 11:40 am

  
  
  

  well its 2-0 Azzurri at the half. I have TV at the office Woo Hoo! Didn’t see his 2nd goal, but Qugliarella’s 1st goal was a beauty. Bullet shot taken from outside the 18. Left footed blast curling away from the keeper to the left side of the goal!! Lithuania has caused a few porblems infront of Buffon though.

  Posted from United States

  

• alex |  June 6th, 2007 at 11:45 am

  
  
  

  Quag’s second goal even more beautiful. A powerful dipping shot to the top right corner. This kid seems to be destined for fantastic goals.

  Posted from Singapore

  

• Anthony |  June 6th, 2007 at 11:45 am

  
  
  

  I love you Martha, but please, NBA finals? now thats paint drying. Especially the Spurs and the mutt that is Eva Longoria.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  June 6th, 2007 at 11:56 am

  
  
  

  I’m 100% with you on the Spurs, Anthony, they kill me. But I did like Sabonis back in the day, and am a big fan of Sasha Pavlovic (I’ve noticed I have a weird thing for Eastern Europeans these days) so I can understand the Lithuanian interest in them at the moment. And hey, I’m just reporting what the Gazzetta says, man — the Lithuanians love their bball.

  And thanks for the updates, guys. I’m hoping Eurosport will show some highlights as soon as the matches end.

  Posted from Portugal

  

• Anthony |  June 6th, 2007 at 12:20 pm

  
  
  

  sexy fact: 98% of Lithuanians are born deaf, as to be the ONLY nationality not to be super annoyed by air horns constantly going off.

  Posted from United States

  

• Sofia |  June 6th, 2007 at 1:42 pm

  
  
  

  hahah Anthony very nice!! is that actually true

  Posted from Canada

  

• Anthony |  June 6th, 2007 at 2:13 pm

  
  
  

  @Sofia

  Completely true. I gathered some MIT students about 5 min. into the match, boarded my jet and flew to Lithuania, where I let them conduct their tests. 98.2% exactly. Unfortunately, with all the horns blowing, 3 students came back with severe hearing loss.

  Posted from United States

  

• Martha |  June 7th, 2007 at 12:22 am

  
  
  

  Brilliant, Anthony. Commenter of the day — your plaque is on the way.

  Posted from Portugal

  

Comments are closed