Soccer in Italy

Soccer is a passion in most countries across the world, but few nations would be able to hold a candle up to match the flame that burns for the game in an Italian's heart. Four World Cup wins and one European Championship glory for its national team aside, Italian football clubs have also competed in more European club championship finals (26) than clubs of any other country. The rich history of silverware wins for Italian clubs continues further, with more players winning the coveted annual Ballon d'Or award (18) for individual footballing excellence, while playing for an Italian club than playing for a club in any other country. And we haven't even got round to talking about the Italian fans yet! The curvas (home stands) across the nation stand firmly behind the goals of the home team warning the visitors off their home turf with joy and menace in equal measure. This article will cover some of the most glaring and glorious facts about soccer in Italy.

Domestic Soccer in Italy
When trying to understand the significance and the importance of soccer in Italy, one has to visit the grassroots setup of Italian football, the breeding ground of the future stars of the game. The Serie A is the highest, most coveted domestic professional soccer league in Italy, which is at the top of the domestic soccer pyramid. 9 more leagues follow, which may be categorized as professional and amateur soccer clubs. The Serie A - known as Serie A TIM for sponsorship purposes with Italian telecom company TIM - is rated as the third best league in Europe today, behind the English and Spanish domestic leagues.

20 clubs compete for the Serie A title in Italy, which is played out in a round robin format, where each team plays the other team twice over the annual soccer season. The domestic structure ensures entry of fresh teams each year, by relegating the bottom three teams to the lower league, while promoting three teams from the lower league to the Serie A.

Apart from their respective leagues, Italian clubs also compete in the Coppa Italia in which 78 Italian clubs from the top 4 leagues in Italy compete. The Coppa Italia is played in a knockout format, as opposed to the point-based ranking system which the leagues follow.

Facts About Domestic Soccer in Italy
Here are a couple of interesting facts about domestic professional soccer in Italy.
•Turin based club Juventus - nicknamed the Bianconeri (they play in white and black striped jerseys) and La Vecchia Signora - are the most successful domestic Italian teams. Over their history, Juventus have won the Serie A 27 times and have been runners up 21 times. Juventus also holds the joint record for most Coppa Italia wins with AS Roma - 9 wins each - and have a glittering amount of silverware in their trophy cabinet.

•While Juventus have been successful domestically, it is AC Milan who have enjoyed success in European competitions - having won the Champions League 7 times as opposed to Juventus' 2 Champions League successes. They are the third most successful team in the Serie A - behind Juventus and Internazionale - having won 17 titles.

•Milan based team and current Italian Champions Internazionale - nicknamed Nerazzuri with respect to their black and blue striped jersey - are the only teams to have played out their glittering 102 year history in the topmost Italian league and have never been relegated. Internazionale, for all their efforts have won the Serie A 18 times in the competitions' 80 year history and are the second most successful Italian club in that regard.

•Juventus, Internazionale and Torino hold the joint record for the most number of championship titles won in consecutive seasons, with each club having won it 5 times on the trot.

•Former AC Milan and Italy national team captain Paolo Maldini one of the most famous Italians, holds the record for most number of appearances in the Serie A having appeared a mind-boggling 647 times in the 25 years he played for AC Milan.

•Silvio Piola who played with a host of Italian clubs including Lazio, Torino and Juventus holds the record for the most number of goals in the top flight of Italian football, having scored 274 goals in 537 appearances.

•Goalkeeper Marco Ballotta is the oldest player to have ever played in the Serie A and played his last game for Lazio at the age of 44 years and 38 days. A career which saw him play for 11 clubs in his 26 years in Italian football, Ballotta never managed to make it to the national team.

The Italian National Squad
The second part of this article on soccer in Italy deals with the exploit of their national team. The team known as the 'Azzurri' given their famous blue jersey are at the time of writing the world champions - having won the World Cup 2006 in a rather eventful final against France - taking their total tally of World Cup wins to 4, which makes them the nation which has won the second most number of World Cups - after Brazil. Along with Brazil, they also hold the record winning the World Cup consecutive times in 1934 as well as in 1938. Legendary striker Giuseppe Meazza was the hero for both those wins in the days when Italy was ruled by a dictatorship under Benito Mussolini. The European Championship was won in 1968 in the only major international competition to have had a replay. Italy drew against Yugoslavia 1-1 after extra time. Those were the days when the penalty shootout hadn't been devised yet and with the draw, Italy won the second leg 2-0.

After a long patch at the World Cup finals tournament without a tournament victory - which included a defeat in the 1970 World Cup final to Brazil - the Azzurri won the tournament in 1982 courtesy goals in the final against West Germany by Altobelli, Tardelli and the legendary Paolo Rossi.

There was heartbreak for soccer in Italy in 1994, where they lost the World Cup final to Brazil - again - this time on penalties. For all his exploits, poor Roberto Baggio will perhaps always be remembered for missing the final penalty, in that shootout.

But soccer in Italy was revived again when captain Fabio Cannavaro one of the the most famous soccer players from Italy and coach Marcelo Lippi led the team to another World Cup victory in 2006. Much unfancied throughout the tournament, they won their games in rather dramatic fashion each time. The round of 16 knockout games against Australia is still talked about because the penalty call which Totti later converted and won Italy the game is widely considered debatable. The semi-final against Germany went into extra time, towards the end of which staring into the possibility of a penalty shootout - Fabio Grosso first and then Alessandro Del Piero scored the second goal in the final minutes of the game. The final will be forever remembered for that headbutt by Zinedine Zidane on Marco Materazzi and the former's subsequent sending off. Italy won on penalties and as Cannavaro lifted the famed Jules Rimet trophy up high, the whole nation was frenzied with jubilation.

Interesting Facts about the Italian National Soccer Team
Here are some interesting facts about the Italian National team.
•Current Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is the highest capped Italian, having worn the Azzurri jersey 135 times since his debut in 1997.

•Luigi Riva's 35 goals in 42 appearances between 1965 and 1974 makes him the highest scoring player for the Italian team.

•The Italian national team played their first international game on the 15th of May 1910 against France in Milan - a game they won 6 - 2.

•On an unhappy summer's day in Budapest on 6th April 1924, soccer in Italy suffered its most undignified defeat at the hands of Hungary loosing 7-1.

•Italy's biggest victory has the date 2nd August stamped on it - the day the Azzurri triumphed 9-0 against the United States.

So these were some interest facts about the history of soccer in Italy. Soccer in Italy - like I said is more than just a passion. It is a cultural identity. An identifying aspect of an Italian is the club he roots for. While Juventus remains the most supported club in Italy, other clubs like AS Roma, AC Milan, Internazionale, Napoli and Lazio do evoke feverish levels of crowd support. Go to all the places to visit in Italy and the love for soccer in Italy is palpable!

Be Careful to Control Your Football Ball in Games

Soccer is often a sport that is certainly physically demanding which is popular within worldwide. Is familiar with that soccer is often a game among the twenty-two players, eleven which each team and also the referee. And also the exciting football game enjoyed by players wearing wholesale nfl football jerseys need the many effort regarding players, coaches and referee. If you wish to be any champion player, you must figure out how to work round the ball in addition to control it together with your feet. Here I'll show you some useful ideas for control your own ball efficiently.

Firstly, you'd better to choose a smaller sized ball to work within your training curriculum, as it will eventually make you more successful at maneuvering the ball together with your leg. You can soon see final results for you, because you'll strike the tennis ball with a lot more accuracy in the goal. You may check a back corner wall of one's house for any goal post or should you have an outdated camping system, could serve to be a goalpost. Practice targeted at the objective from every angle you can possibly imagine. By dividing that wall directly into sections is a sensible way to play tennis ball. Practice placing the tennis ball into every section till you might have perfected that art.

Subsequently, you may practice scolding ball through giving cost-free kicks contrary to the wall. And before getting the tough training, you must wear that protective equipment for example Aaron Rodgers blue jersey . Almost all worlds's almost all famous football players gained the platinum by beating his abuse or sanctions, so there are lots of opportunities within this field to win. And any world-class player is needed for moves to perfection. So you will discover no cutting corners to turning into a champion and win the adventure. In training, it is not perfect. Watch your weaknesses too. It's challenging, but if you wish to be top most, you want to know the problem and you can work and increase your game.

Obtain, as trying to play ball alone can be boring, you may add several obstacles along the route to that goal post and obtain your buddies together to learn a compact round in the game. You should use the outdated containers, timber logs, for example. to perform the tennis ball. On another hand you can rope several friends to assist you practice. You can find much more fun to complete the tennis ball around within triangular styles and try giving longer and limited passes. You can play together defense in addition to attack. This will provide you with the live concert practice. Unfortunately, playing together with your friends will benefit you much. Everyone can put on the discount reebok jerseys within your practice.
Each payer may very well be given that responsibility to attack in order to defend alternately so you could perform against each one of them.

By using having executed more work out plans with scolding the football ball, you might have a better performance even if you cannot contain the chance to learn with that ball at all times in a full scale coordinate. Therefore, it's important to complete more exercise to manipulate the football ball completely.

by Kity

People can Love Football Easily

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The actual alterations in the team's standings as well as player's studies may multiply the actual enjoy associated with basketball through the entire complete full week. These kind of volumes tend to be in regards to the approach have an impact on the money everyone gain as it reaches period to help renegotiate the particular post paid. Family members can easily experience quite honored any time their own willpower into the distinct battler will probably be granted two-year post paid revival, that is certainly worthy of thousands as well as markings.

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For those young families, it really is organic to help really like football nonetheless overseas to a few some others. If you're an innovative beginner regarding football it is possible to subscribe to the actual enthusiast pub of the most desired staff, due to the fact each soccer crew features a supporter golf club as well as newcomers are usually encouraged at all times. There are specific supporters which will coach you the right way to recognize basketball as well as some fundamental expertise for example basketball protocols and also polices. Progressively a person will quickly like soccer of course.

by Kity

Becoming A Winning Basketball Player: 5 Characteristics Of The Champion

While every person likes to think they have what it takes to be an athlete, it's not enough to just sign up for the team and show up for practice. If you're going to invest all the time and effort into play, why be an average player? But not everyone is suited for excellence. Here are some characteristics you want to have before deciding if you want to make a commitment to investing your most valuable asset, time, into being a winning basketball player.

1. Competitive Nature

The type of person who will excel at basketball is a competitive person who feels a strong urge to be the best on the court. They will fight for rebounds, block shots, and fully invest themselves in each and every shot. If you do not beat up on yourself at least a little when you know you didn't give it your all and failed, you may not be competitive enough.

2. Open to Coaching

If you cannot be coached, you will not succeed. You need to be open to being openly criticized and improve on weaknesses when they are pointed out. A good player knows they have a lot to learn, no matter how good they are, and leverages their coach for success.

3. An Obsession for Practice

Showing up for required practices and games is not enough—if you want to be mediocre, that is fine, but a winning player will practice whenever they can and put out the extra effort. Laser skills only come with this kind of practice. Winners are not simply born, and raw talent is never enough.

4. Strong Self Discipline

Self discipline goes beyond a commitment to practice—solid athletes will often need to control themselves where non-athletes do not have to. Life is full of distractions and alternate paths. Even young players will have to avoid making poor mistakes as simple as eating the wrong things or as complex as walking away from a fight at school. Pro athletes serve as an example and get lots of media attention and so must restrain themselves just as much.

5. The Ability to Face Challenges

Life is a constant challenge for an athlete. Besides mustering the strength to make the right choices and put in all the effort, you will constantly face opposition from both your own limitations and the people you play against. You have to get up when you fail and try again. You have to have the tenacity to play all the way to the last second, even when there is no way to win—this is what it means to give it your all.

Most importantly, can you do this all every day? The life of an athlete does not have an "off switch"—not if you want to be a true champion. You need to be willing to make a full-time commitment to practice and put in the extra time while others sleep and take a break. To defeat your own weaknesses and perfect your strengths.

It's a commitment to a way of life, and not everyone is made for this.

by James Druman

Basketball Skills: 6 Tips For Improving Your Passes

Perhaps the most underestimated basketball skill, especially in young basketball leagues, is knowing how to pass. It is essential to keep the ball moving and to capitalize on teamwork if you want to be a winning player on a winning team, so passing is something every coach and serious player should focus on. Here are some simple tips for improving your passing skills.

1. Keep Your Distance

It is important to keep the right amount of spacing between yourself and receiving players when making your passes. If you pass from too far away, it is possible an opposing player can step in and steal the ball without even having to fight for it.

If you are too close, it is difficult to get the speed and accuracy needed for precision. About twelve to fifteen feet is a good distance for a pass.

2. Don't Aim at the Receiver

It is common for younger players to throw the ball directly at the receiving player, but it is much more effective to anticipate movement and throw the ball so it is "waiting" as the receiver moves forward. This type of anticipation, of course, requires teamwork, and it is something the entire team should work on together.

3. Dribble Into the Defense

If a defending player is closing in on you as you go to make a pass, dribble and move toward them as you pass. While this seems counterintuitive, it is easier for them to watch your body and anticipate your moves from further away. If you dribble towards them, they are forced to react, throwing off their attention.

4. Eliminate Obvious Signals

A lot of players give away their intent to pass by craning their neck to set sight on the receiving player. You need to learn to look everywhere and use your peripheral vision. A proper pass is made with a lot of wrist, which allows for that quick unexpected snap. Do not wind your arms back or step forward to pass either—these are all obvious movements to an attentive player.

5. Don't Pass "Around" Defending Players

Many new players try to overcompensate and throw the ball over the opposing player's head or well around them, but this type of pass is much too weak, making it easy to anticipate or even snatch out of the air. Keep your passes quick and sure, darting the ball underneath an armpit or just over the shoulder, depending on the player's own movements. Use fakes to your advantage to get their limbs where you want them.

6. Keep Moving

Never stand still after making a pass—you should keep on moving even after the ball is gone and snatched up. Always end a good pass by following through as if going for a rebound, simulating a dribble around another player, or faking a shot. This will keep other players confused while at the same time allowing you to be ready for whatever happens next and remain an asset to the game.

Don't take passing skills for granted. They are an essential part of any solid game, and proper basketball training will give them their due.

by James Druman

Jumping Higher For Basketball - Here's How It's Possible!

Jumping higher for basketball is a goal that almost everyone that plays the game has. If you can increase your vertical you can drastically improve your game and become a better player. You will be able to play better defense, improve the range of your jump shot and maybe most exciting - you will be able to dunk the ball!

Unfortunately a lot of people simply think that there's no way to increase their vertical leap. They figure that jumping is just something that you're born with and that it isn't possible to increase it enough to make a difference in their game.

This couldn't be farther from the truth! It is possible to increase your vertical leap by as much as 20 inches if you take the right steps. I've seen many people who are under 6 feet work on their vertical to the point where they were able to dunk.

Obviously I can't promise that you'll add two full feet to your jump, but I can guarantee you that jumping higher for basketball is entirely possible. You will see a drastic difference in the height of your jump by following a vertical leap training program.

The key is to focus on the muscles used when jumping and then target them with various exercises to strengthen them. There are many different muscles involved, so if you can make them stronger and work on them in a specific way, you're going to see results.

You also will work on your "explosiveness" and technique used when jumping. This plays a huge role in how high you jump.

In fact, just a simple adjustment in the technique and form you use will often add a couple inches immediately. Many people don't realize that the way they "launch" into the air isn't the most effective way to jump. A simple change and you can see instant results.

Think about it as you would any type of training program. For example, if you wanted to strengthen your arms so that they could lift more, you would workout your biceps, triceps, forearms etc. and would be able to see results within a fairly short period of time.

The exact same thing applies to increasing your vertical leap. You target the muscles use in jumping, perfect your form and will see results as you go through the training program and you will be jumping higher for basketball.

by Grant Dougan

Basketball Success: The Basics Of Solid Defense

While those successful goals are the most telling indicator when you are winning a basketball game, any true champion knows that a good team's success often lies in their defense. Your ability to prevent rebounds and limit turnover is an invaluable asset in any game and a team without defensive tactics will never be the best. Let's look at some of the basics you should work on to be a great defending player.

The first thing any player should learn when it comes to defense is perfecting their stance. The solid stance begins by maintaining just over a shoulder-width distance between your two feet and resting on the balls of your feet. If someone pushes on you, you should not sway or move at all—your balance should be solid and evenly distributed.

Keep you knees bent, arms out, elbows bent, and palms up. Keep your head up as well, and direct your attention towards the level of the opposing player's stomach, as this is a great center for reading and anticipating movement. While the heads, eyes, shoulders, or limbs can often be used to distract you or fake you out, the midsection rarely lies.

Your head should not move too much when in this stance—learn how to look out of the corners of your eyes for what is going on. Peripheral vision is a valuable asset for a solid basketball player.

Develop a good defensive slide, moving your feet sideways with quick short steps while staying in stance. Common mistakes players make is moving up out of their defensive position during a slide, leaning in the direction of slides, or crossing their feet—all moves that put you off balance and leave you unprepared.

When you are on the ball, your obvious goal is to keep it from traveling any further. Defense specifics will vary from team to team, depending on coaching, but your main goal is to stop it.

There are many ways to satisfy the goal. Often, what we want to do is direct opposing players off of the court and towards the out of bounds area if possible, once they are stuck in a corner, you and other players can try to keep them there until a 5 second call.

At all times, focus on restricting them from moving forward to their goal, but don't put so much energy into this that you forget to just stay on them at all times. After all, covering and staying on the player is more crucial than limiting court penetration.

Learn to use an opposing player's disadvantages against them. Players will often drive to one side or the other, in favor of their stronger hand (right or left), but you can keep them on their toes by forcing them to play their weaker side. Learn to change your position to keep them going where they do not want to go.

Properly staying on an offensive player is all about confusing them and restricting their movement while going with their movement when it is inevitable. It is a balance.

Another crucial element of defense is knowing when you lost your player and compensating for that. Learn to signal or alert other players on your team when this happens, and then run back to your opponent as fast as possible to resume your defensive position. Never give up and stop when they get away.

There is a lot more to proper defense than this, but these are some good points to keep in mind. Never forget that a good offense will never be good enough to win alone—they may win a lot of games between two mediocre teams, but when it comes to the wins that count, they will always come up short.

by James Druman