Volume - V Issue - V Season 3 Volume - V Issue - V Season 3 | Page 21
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”WINNING IS NOT EVERYTH ”WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING , BUT IT
IS THE ONLY THING !!! “ – ROGER FEDERER BUT IT IS THE ONLY THING !!! “ – ROGER FEDERER
SPORTS
ABOUT ITALIAN SPORTS
Sports in Italy have a long tradition. In numerous sports, both individual
and team, Italy has good representation and many successes. Soccer is the
most popular sport in Italy. Basketball, volleyball, and Cycling are the next
most popular/played sports, with Italy having a rich tradition in all three.
Italy won the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and is (along with Germany) currently
the second most successful football team in World Cup history, after Brazil,
having won four FIFA World Cup championships. Italy also has strong
traditions in rugby union, tennis, athletics, fencing, and winter sports.
By - HAYDEN PATRIZI
SOCCER
In Italy, calcio (soccer to Americans, football to Europeans) surpasses all
other sports. La Squadra Azzurra (the blue team) is a major source of
national pride and sometimes agony. Some claim that Italy's victory in
the 1982 World Cup did more for national unity than any political
movement. Italy's success in 1994 sparked excitement that crested with
every victory and ultimately crashed with their defeat by Brazil. In the
1998 World Cup quarterfinals, France knocked out Italy after an intense
4-3 penalty shoot-out. Last year, Italy whipped France and the rest of the
world, winning the 2006 World Cup.
By - ANDREW NOTHCOTE
SAILING
Sailing ( vela) in yachts and dinghies is popular throughout
Italy, where even small coastal towns often have a marina.
Dinghy sailing is also popular on the major lakes, particularly
Lake Garda, which often provides better wind conditions than
the smaller lakes.
Sailing has received a further boost in recent years by the
prominent Italian attempts to win the America’s Cup. So far
success has proved elusive, but the challenge has raised the
profile of the sport in Italy considerably. Motorboats are also
popular as they cater for the Italians’ love of speed.
By-GARETH BERG
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