Italy National Soccer Team
Italy's Jorginho passes the ball as Switzerland's Remo Freuler closes him down during the World Cup 2022 group C qualifying soccer match between Italy and Switzerland at Rome's Olympic stadium, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Switzerland vs Italy 11/12/2021

Nov. 22, 2021 01:12 PM EST

Italy's Jorginho passes the ball as Switzerland's Remo Freuler closes him down during the World Cup 2022 group C qualifying soccer match between Italy and Switzerland at Rome's Olympic stadium, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
FIFA publishes shortlists for annual best player awards

Nov. 22, 2021 01:09 PM EST

From right: Filippo Tortu, Eseosa Desalu, Lorenzo Patta and Lamont Jacobs, of Italy celebrate after taking the gold medal in the final of the men's 4 x 100-meter relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Astonish the world: Italy keeps surprising on Olympic track

By Andrew Dampf Aug. 07, 2021 12:07 AM EDT

Lamont Jacobs, right, of Italy, wins the men's the 100-meter final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Viva Italia! Olympic golds follow soccer and song successes

By Andrew Dampf Aug. 01, 2021 10:22 PM EDT

FILE - Andy Murray, of England, smiles as he holds up his gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in this Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, file photo. Murray's been through two hip operations and assorted other injuries since he became the first tennis player with multiple Olympic singles golds by winning in 2012 and 2016. His ranking outside the Top 100, but past success — including three Grand Slam trophies — earned him a special spot in the Tokyo field for Britain. “I just hope,” he said, “the body holds up.”(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Olympic athletes to put on own medals at Tokyo ceremonies

Jul. 14, 2021 06:29 AM EDT

Spain's manager Luis Enrique , right, comforts Spain's Dani Olmo after the Euro 2020 soccer championship semifinal match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium in London, Tuesday, July 6, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
Spain has hopes of a bright future after Euro 2020 campaign

By Tales Azzoni Jul. 07, 2021 09:16 AM EDT

Poland's Robert Lewandowski heads the ball during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between Sweden and Poland, at the St. Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirill Kudryavtsev, Pool)
Long flights frustrate some teams at sprawling Euro 2020

By James Ellingworth Jun. 25, 2021 09:49 AM EDT

England's Harry Kane waves following the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between the Czech Republic and England at Wembley stadium, London, Tuesday, June 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham,Pool)
Strikers search for goals, wing backs shine at Euro 2020

By Rob Harris Jun. 24, 2021 06:16 AM EDT

Italy's Giorgio Chiellini heads the ball during the Euro 2020, soccer championship group A match between Italy and Turkey, at the Rome Olympic stadium, Friday, June 11, 2021. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Italy convincing in 3-0 win over Turkey to open Euro 2020

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 11, 2021 05:07 PM EDT

Italian fans watch the Euro 2020, soccer championship group A match between Italy and Turkey, on a mega screen set in downtown Rome, Friday, June 11, 2021. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)
Euro 2020 opening marks return of mega-scale sports events

By Karl Ritter Jun. 11, 2021 06:15 AM EDT

Italy players attend a training session ahead of Friday's Euro 2020, group A soccer match against Turkey, at the Rome Olympic stadium, Thursday, June 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool)
Italy vs Turkey 6/11/2021

Jun. 11, 2021 03:08 AM EDT

Turkish fans wait for the kick-off of the Euro 2020, group A soccer match between Italy and Turkey, at the Rome Olympic stadium, Friday, June 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)
The Latest: Italy opens Euro 2020 with 3-0 win over Turkey

By The Associated Press Jun. 11, 2021 03:06 AM EDT

A man walks in front of Rome's Olympic stadium, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The Euro 2020 gets underway on Friday June 11 and is being played in 11 host cities across 11 countries. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Francis blesses UEFA officials ahead of Euro 2020

Jun. 10, 2021 08:29 AM EDT

Italy's Nicola Barella, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Czech Republic in Bologna, Italy, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A year late, Italy and Turkey play opening game at Euro 2020

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 10, 2021 04:52 AM EDT

Czech Republic's Alex Kral eyes the ball during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Czech Republic in Bologna, Italy, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Czech Republic vs Italy 6/4/2021

Jun. 04, 2021 05:20 PM EDT

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain on Friday June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain, Portugal draw 0-0 in front of nearly 15,000 in Madrid

By Tales Azzoni Jun. 04, 2021 03:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, June 16, 2016 filer, Germany coach Joachim Loew looks from the sidelines during the Euro 2016 Group C soccer match between Germany and Poland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, France. France won the last major international soccer tournament — the World Cup in 2018 — by defending compactly, hitting teams on the break with clinical finishing, and being effective at set pieces. What will the winning approach be at the European Championship?. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
EURO 2020: Pragmatism the key to success in pandemic soccer

By Steve Douglas Jun. 04, 2021 08:10 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday March 25, 2021 file photo, England's Phil Foden attempts to control the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between England and San Marino at Wembley stadium in London. Exciting talents like Phil Foden, Joao Felix and Ferran Torres are among a host of young players set to play their first major international tournaments at Euro 2020. UEFA has expanded squads from 23 players to 26 and that could encourage coaches to take a chance on more up-and-comers.(Adrian Dennis/Pool Photo via AP, File)
EURO 2020: Phil Foden leads continent's young stars

By James Ellingworth Jun. 02, 2021 05:57 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, March 25, 2021 filer, Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, competes for the ball with Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell, bottom, during the World Cup 2022 qualifier group c soccer game between Italy and Northern Ireland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP, File )
Northern Ireland vs Italy 3/25/2021

May. 31, 2021 08:58 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, March 25, 2021 filer, Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, competes for the ball with Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell, bottom, during the World Cup 2022 qualifier group c soccer game between Italy and Northern Ireland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP, File )
EURO 2020: Italy transformed after World Cup failure

By Andrew Dampf May. 31, 2021 08:57 AM EDT