POLAND - FOOTBALL/SOCCER EURO 2012: The Italy team rebases to Warsaw ahead of Thursday's semi-final against Germany.
Record ID:
858852
POLAND - FOOTBALL/SOCCER EURO 2012: The Italy team rebases to Warsaw ahead of Thursday's semi-final against Germany.
- Title: POLAND - FOOTBALL/SOCCER EURO 2012: The Italy team rebases to Warsaw ahead of Thursday's semi-final against Germany.
- Date: 28th June 2012
- Summary: WARSAW, POLAND (JUNE 27, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ITALIAN TEAM BUS ARRIVING AT HOTEL VARIOUS OF PLAYERS AND COACHING STAFF INCLUDING GOALKEEPER GIANLUIGI BUFFON LEAVING BUS MIDFIELDER ANTONIO NOCERINO LEAVING BUS AND ENTERING HOTEL VARIOUS OF PLAYERS GETTING OFF BUS AND ENTERING HOTEL MIDFIELDER ANDREA PIRLO ENTERING HOTEL FORWARD MARIO BALOTELLI ENTERING HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FAN SERENA IAMPIERI SAYING: "I hope that we can succeed, because I hope that we can beat Germany. I think that there will be tougher moments than we had against Spain and I am sorry that I will not be here to experience this in Warsaw, because I am returning to Italy tomorrow, but I think we will do it." VARIOUS FANS WAITING FOR AUTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FAN FRANCESCA PUCILLINI SAYING: "As far as tomorrow's game is concerned I am hopeful. It will bring luck because I will watch the game at home, not in Warsaw." VARIOUS OF POLICEMEN WITH MOTORCYCLE HELMETS ON (SOUNDBITE) (English) ITALY FAN FROM LEBANON VICTOR MURAT SAYING: "I got here last night, I watched the guys in Kiev beating England, I am expecting a great game against Germany, hopefully 2-1, extra-time, a repeat of the 2006 World Cup suspense, Balotelli to score, Cassano to score, a great game." ITALIAN FANS WITH ITALIAN FLAGS
- Embargoed: 13th July 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Poland
- City:
- Country: Poland
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAEB92BGM73JV5CSVRJ9EGE97ND
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Italy's Euro 2012 team arrived in Warsaw on Wednesday (June 27) one day before facing off against Germany in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
Fans began gathering outside Warsaw's Victoria hotel early in the morning to cheer their team and hunt autographs.
The Germans have never beaten Italy in a major championship, famously losing the 2006 World Cup semi-final on home soil to the eventual victors, but they are favourites this time, having won all four matches so far in Poland and Ukraine.
"I got here last night, I watched the guys in Kiev beating England, I am expecting a great game against Germany, hopefully 2-1, extra-time, a repeat of the 2006 World Cup suspense, Balotelli to score, Cassano to score, a great game," one of the fans gathered outside the hotel said.
Except for the injury suffered by midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany are fully fit and at full strength with coach Joachim Loew widely expected to bring back at least two of the front three he surprisingly rested in the 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece.
Italy centre-half Giorgio Chiellini is back in training after missing the England game with a thigh problem and could feature, Italian coach Prandelli has minor injuries to Daniele De Rossi and Ignazio Abate to worry about and right back Christian Maggio's suspension.
Italy created reams of chances in the goalless 120 minutes against England and their lack of a finishing touch will haunt them if it continues in the Polish capital. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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