Roberto Baggio was born in 1967 in Caldogno, Italy. He represented Italy in 56 games between 1988 and 2004. He scored 27 goals for his country in his career (the fourth most in Italian Football history). He played in 3 different FIFA World Cup tournaments for Italy. Roberto Baggio is also the only Italian player in history who has scored goals in 3 different FIFA World Cup tournaments. He played 488 games and scored 218 goals for various football clubs in Italy. He played in games for Vicenza, Florentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Internazionale and Brescia during his career (between 1982 and 2004). In 1993 Roberto Baggio was named European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the year, a truly remarkable achievement. Brazilian football legend Pele named him as one of the 25 greatest living footballers in his 2004 FIFA 100 list. In his career Roberto Baggio scored 9 goals in FIFA World Cup tournaments, 32 goals in European competitions and 78 goals from 91 penalties (highest in Italian football history). It’s that fans won’t see him play in next year’s FIFA World Cup in SA. He truly is one of Football’s greats.

Related Links:
Roberto Baggio – Fansite
Roberto Baggio – Official Website.

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After the Vodacom Bulls beat the Vodacom Cheetahs convincingly in this past Saturday’s Currie Cup final, the Springbok squad was announced for the upcoming 2009 South African tour to Europe. 37 players have been chosen to represent their country. South African rugby is really doing well in 2009, so this promises to be one of the best tours in history. Pierre Spies was selected but has withdrawn from the squad. He’s undergoing surgery one of his fingers (an injury sustained in the Vodacom Bulls Currie Cup campaign). He has been replaced by another player (Jean Deysel from the Sharks). South Africa will face Leicester in on the 6th of November, France on the 13th of November, Saracens on the 17th of November, Italy on the 21st of November and Ireland on the 28th of November.

Here is the list of players who were selected:

Forwards (20):

• John Smit (Sharks) – Captain
• Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls) – Vice-Captain
• Andries Bekker (Vodacom Western Province)
• Bakkies Botha (Vodacom Bulls)
• Heinrich Brüssow (Vodacom Cheetahs)
• Schalk Burger (Vodacom Western Province)
• Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
• Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
• Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks)
• Ashley Johnson (Vodacom Cheetahs)
• Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)
• Bandise Maku (Vodacom Bulls)
• Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
• Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls)
• Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls)
• Davon Raubenheimer (GWK Griquas)
• Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls)
• Gurthrö Steenkamp (Vodacom Bulls)
• Heinke van der Merwe (Xerox Lions)
• Jean Deysel (Sharks)

Backs (17)

• Heini Adams (Vodacom Bulls)
• Meyer Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs)
• Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Western Province)
• Fourie du Preez (Vodacom Bulls)
• Jaque Fourie (Xerox Lions)
• Bryan Habana (Vodacom Bulls)
• Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Bulls)
• Adi Jacobs (Sharks)
• Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls)
• Odwa Ndungane (Sharks)
• Jongi Nokwe (Vodacom Cheetahs)
• Wynand Olivier (Vodacom Bulls)
• Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
• JP Pietersen (Sharks)
• Earl Rose (Xerox Lions)
• Morne Steyn (Vodacom Bulls)
• Riaan Viljoen (GWK Griquas)

The selected SA Squad features 9 new caps. 14 Vodacom Bulls players have been selected. 11 Sharks players have been selected. 4 Vodacom Cheetahs players have been selected. 3 Xerox Lions players have been selected. 3 Vodacom Western Province players have been selected. 2 GWK Griquas players have been selected. In all, this promises to be a great Springbok team. I’m sure that all the new players are quite excited to be selected. South Africa has a great opportunity to prove to the world that they’re still the World Champions of Rugby Union.

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The Italian national football team have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Italy is currently ranked at #4 on the FIFA rankings. The country will be playing in their 17th World Cup Tournament in history in 2010. Italy have won the FIFA World Cup 4 times, in 1934 (In Italy), 1938 (In France), 1982 (In Spain) and 2006 (In Germany). Italy will be looking to win their 5th title next year. Italy have played in 7 European Championships as well. They have one European Championship title on their belt (they won the competition in 1968). Italy have been runners-up twice in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The first time in 1970 (In Mexico) and the 2nd time in 1994 (In the United States). Earlier in 2009 Italy played in their first ever FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. They were knocked out in the first round. Marcello Lippi is the current coach of the Italian National Football team (since 2008). The current Italian national football team captain, Fabio Cannavaro is also the most capped player in Italian football history. He’s played in 130 matches for his country since 1997. Luigi Riva is top goal scoring Italian footballer in history. He scored 35 goals in 42 matches between 1965 and 1974 (almost averaging a goal a match). I had the privilege of watching Italy take on the United States in a FIFA Confederations Cup match at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria earlier this year. They won the match by 3 goals to 1. They’re still one of the favorites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in my opinion.

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