Group F - Italy

The current reigning champions, Italy proved to be worthy winners in 2006. Will they replicate that this year? I doubt it - they have a number of factors going against them this time around.

The whole squad is based in Italy. The aging squad are now mostly 30+, and they really don't have any form of home advantage. They should win the group, but won't go amazingly far.

Capital City: Rome
Captain: Fabio Cannavaro
Manager: Marcello Lippi
Star Man: Daniele de Rossi - the defensive midfielder is now 26, but is still one of the most sought-after players in the world. He works well with Andrea Pirlo, and should he play well, could be on for a big-money move.
Group Games: Paraguay (14th June); New Zealand (20th June); Slovakia (24th June)
Adam's Prediction: Will more than likely win the three group games, and then in the second round, but with the potential of a quarter final against Spain, could fall at the third hurdle. 1st in Group F.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari) 

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan) 

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan) 

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)