21 November 2007

Chiellini puts the finishing touch

“With the European Championships approaching, one has to take every chance to show one's worth and to demonstrate one can be part of the group that next summer will take part in the expedition to Switzerland and Austria”. Giorgio Chiellini had introduced the match between Italy and the Faeroes with these very words, just a couple of days ago, exclusively on the JuventusMember website.

He couldn't have been a better prophet. In the match played in Modena, the Livorno-born defender capitalized his chance in the best possible way, playing 90 minutes and scoring the third goal, that set the score on 3-0 (the match eventually ending 3-1), the last goal scored by Italy in the qualifying group, but a memorable first for his career.

It was the finishing touch on a memorable night for Juventus' players. Vincenzo Iaquinta played from the start on the day of his 28th birthday and stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Just like Raffaele Palladino, who made his debut and became the 121st Juve player to wear the Italian shirt.

Alongside Buffon and Camoranesi, who rested after the excellent match in Glasgow, they celebrated the victory in the match (quite predictable, actually) but also in the group, with three points more than France, who drew in the Ukraine.

In the middle of the Mediterranean, the Czechs celebrated as well. Grygera rested after scoring Saturday against Slovakia, but his team mates won 2-0 in Cyprus, thus winning Group D, on goal difference, leaving Germany in second place.

Portugal celebrated more than most: against Finland they found the point they needed and qualified for Euro 2008.

It was a true 'full house' as all Juventus players qualified for the next European Championships, to be played next summer in Austria and Switzerland.

 

 

Bari	Juventus	1 - 0
Bologna	Inter	0 - 0
Chievo	Catania	2 - 1
Fiorentina	Napoli	1 - 1
Milan	Lecce	4 - 0
Palermo	Cagliari	0 - 0
Parma	Brescia	2 - 0
Roma	Cesena	0 - 0
Sampdoria	Lazio	2 - 0
Udinese	Genoa	0 - 1