TheNewsGuru

Tag: Italy

  • Argentina 2023: Italy, Uruguay to clash in final on Sunday

    Argentina 2023: Italy, Uruguay to clash in final on Sunday

    Junior Azurri of Italy on Thursday defeated  South Korea  2-1 to reach the FIFA U-20 World Cup holding in Argentina.

    The evening encounter between Italy and South Korea offered more than 20,000 spectators one of the best matches of the tournament, with goalkeepers Sebastiano Desplanches and Kim Joon-hong working hard from start to finish.

    Italy opened the scoring in the 14th minute via the player of the tournament so far, Cesare Casadei shot from the edge of the box despite being crowded by three South Koreans to put the ball in the back of the net for the seventh time in the U-20 World Cup.

    South Korea equalized with Lee Seung-won’s shot from the spot in the 23rd after a video-reviewed decision.

    Both teams wasted goal scoring opportunities to get ahead, including one for Italy that required goal line review. The deadlock was broken in the 86th, when substitute Simone Pafundi scored from a free kick.

    In the group stage the Italians defeated Brazil 3-2, lost to the Flying Eagles of Nigeria by 2-0 before thrashing Dominican Republic 3-1 to advance to the tournament’s elimination round.

    Earlier South American nation of Uruguay ended Israel’s cinderella run with a 1-0 defeat to reach their first final in ten years.

    Uruguay reached tournament final in 1997 and 2013, losing the championship matches to Argentina and France on those occasions,

    Target man Anderson Duarte scored Uruguay’s only goal of the first semifinal in the 61st minute from close range, one of the few opportunities either team had during the match.

    Israel goalkeeper Tomer Zarfati deflected a shot by Alan Matturro and it hit his left post, but Duarte was quicker than the Israeli defenders to put the ball in the back of the net.

    To reach the final, Uruguay finished its group in second place, and eliminated Gambia and the United States.

    Israel will play South Korea in the third place on Sunday, almost going the distance after an eventual first trip to the Under-20 World Cup.

  • Spalletti to leave Napoli after Serie A title

    Spalletti to leave Napoli after Serie A title

    Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti is set to leave the club after guiding them to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years.

    Club President Aurelio De Laurentiis said that the 64-year-old, who took over the Partenopei in 2021, has asked to take a sabbatical and would leave the club with a year left on his contract.

    “He’s a free man. Now it’s right that he continues to do what he wants. I thank him,” De Laurentiis said.

    Napoli clinched their first title since 1990, when Diego Maradona led them to the Scudetto, with five games to spare.

    Spalletti’s final game in charge is set to be at home to Sampdoria next Sunday.

    Reports in Italy suggest Napoli will attempt to bring in former FC Barcelona and Spain head coach Luis Enrique to replace Spalletti.

    A number of their star players such as top scorer Victor Osimhen and centre-back Kim Min-jae have been linked with moves away from Naples this summer.

    A host of English Premier League (EPL) clubs are among those reportedly interested.

  • Argentina 2023: Why we lost to Nigeria – Italy coach, Nunziata

    Argentina 2023: Why we lost to Nigeria – Italy coach, Nunziata

    Italy head coach, Carmine Nunziata has noted that Flying Eagles were the better side when Italy clashed with Nigeria on Wednesday night.

    The Europeans suffered a 2-0 defeat to the West Africans in their second game at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mendoza.

    Nunziata started the game on the strong foot pinning the Flying Eagles back but couldn’t sustain the momentum.

    Salim Fago gave Nigeria the lead on 61 minutes after he was set up by a delightful Tochukwu Nnadi’s cross.

    Winger Jude Sunday then ran to goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso long ball to score the second deep into stoppage time.

    “It was a difficult match especially on a physical level,” Nunziata told Italian Football Federation official website.

    “Nigeria was going twice as fast as us. We had the occasion of the crossbar and we could have made better use of the spaces.”

    Italy will take on Dominican Republic in their last group game on Sunday.

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles defeat overhyped Italian boys

    FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles defeat overhyped Italian boys

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have defeated Italy in their second Group D encounter in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup taking place in Argentina.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter played out at the Estadio Malvinas Argetinas, Mendoza, Western Argentina.

    The Flying Eagles defeated the Italian boys, who have been tipped as favourites, by 2 goals to nil. Salim Fago and Jude Sunday scored the two goals.

    With the dogged performance by the Flying Eagles, Nigeria has booked a place in the knockout phase of the 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: How Flying Eagles lineup against Italy

    FIFA U20 World Cup: How Flying Eagles lineup against Italy

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles today lock horns against Italy in their second Group D encounter in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup taking place in Argentina.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter will kick off at 7 pm Nigerian time at the Estadio Malvinas Argetinas, Mendoza, Western Argentina.

    In the lineup are Chijioke Aniagboso (GK), Daniel Bameyi (C), Solomon Agbalaka, Abel Ogwueche, Benjamin Fredrick, Daniel Daga, Jude Sundav, Victor Eletu, Samson Lawal, Salim Fago and Ibrahim Muhammad.

    The substitutes are Nathaniel Nwosu, John Utomblo, Augustine Njoku, Tochukwu Nnadi, Haliru Sarki, Domingo Israel, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Ibrahim Kehinde and John Joshua.

    Earlier Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso, Abel Ogwuche and Daniel Bameyi had expressed optimism of a good outing against the Italian U20 side.

    TNG reports the Flying Eagles came from behind on Sunday to win their first Group D encounter against Dominican Republic by 2 goals to 1.

  • Italian president welcomes Zelensky

    Italian president welcomes Zelensky

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been welcomed by President Sergio Mattarella to his official residence in Rome during Zelensky’s visit to Italy.

    Zelensky was driven up to the Quirinal Palace shortly after 12.00 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Saturday, where Mattarella welcomed him in the courtyard.

    After anthems of the two countries were played, the politicians went into the building for a private conversation.

    Mattarella has always shown solidarity with Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian invaders.

    Zelensky is expected to ask Italy for further support.

    The meeting with Mattarella is due to be followed by meetings with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and with Pope Francis.

  • I train Nigerian sex workers on artworks in Italy – Nike Okundaye

    I train Nigerian sex workers on artworks in Italy – Nike Okundaye

    The Founder, Nike Art Gallery, Mrs Nike Okundaye, popularly known as “Mama Nike”, said she changed the narratives of 5,000 Nigerian professional sex workers through artwork training in Italy.

    Okundaye disclosed this on Thursday at the “Destination Marketing Strategy in Cultural Tourism“ organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja.

    She said that she had passion for training the trainer’s programme because she aimed at using artwork to reduce poverty, unemployment and crimes in society.

    “My love is to train and people I trained should train other people. I was in Italy training Nigerian prostitutes, 5, 000 of them. We used artwork to change 3,000 to become artists.

    “These paintings you are seeing here are the ones that started it in 1995.

    “A lot of those prostitutes are now engaged and they are no more prostitutes.

    “I was born into art, I am a fifth generation artists from my family and the way they passed education to the kids in those days, you teach your child what you do.

    “When I completed Primary Six and I did not have money to attend secondary school, the weaving of “adire“ and the painting that I learnt from my father and mother are what I am doing today.

    “I started this because of poverty but from poverty I was able to become icon in the society,”  she said.

    Okundaye urged the youth to practise what they learnt from their parents and upgrade it in a creative manner.

    “The message I have for the youth is that if your parents used akara money to train you, you have to upgrade that akara to burger.

    “Upgrade and follow your heart and do things you have learnt from your parents. Do them and create them in a good way and always think positive,” she said.

    Okundaye said since she opened the Nike Art Gallery in Abuja, youths have been coming over for training.

    “I have a training centre here since 1996. I have over 2,000 artworks in this edifice.

    “I have a lot of artists that I trained. When I trained them, they trained others and they bring their works and if we sell them, they give us 10 per cent of the total cost,” she said.

    In his remarks, the Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said he supported Nike Art Gallery to make it a destination market for Nigeria.

    Runsewe described arts and culture sector as public-private driven.

    He said if Nike Art Gallery was given necessary support it would go a long way in reducing unemployment and crimes in the country.

    “In most cases, we make mistakes in Africa for not recognising our own, not believing in our own and not developing our own.

    “If the private sector or an individual can put up this type of gallery, what we need as government is to support.

    “This can generate a lot of resources for the country. If you travel to other parts of the world, they have galleries like this that you will pay to visit.

    “One of the fundamental aspects of tourism is experience. Some people have never seen this number of paintings and fabric designs,” he said.

    He recalled that three weeks ago when an ambassador saw Fela’s painting, he felt like removing his dress.

    “This is because he is one of the big fans of Fela. He continued taking picture with Fela’s artwork.

    “These paintings you see are a therapy on their own. Some people when they are sick or down, this is what they use to come up.

    “We need to use what we have now to develop and promote our country. There are so many artworks here that can speak for Nigeria.

    “For me, we will support Nike Arts Gallery and make it a destination in order to market the country,” he said.

  • ‘I could have given much more’ – Balotelli admits career regrets

    ‘I could have given much more’ – Balotelli admits career regrets

    Italian striker Mario Balotelli has admitted career regrets.

    Now with Sion, Balotelli passed through European giants like Inter Milan, AC Milan, Liverpool and Manchester City.

    Speaking on the Muschio Selvaggio podcast, Balotelli reflected on whether he had reached his potential.

    He said, “My character helped me but it also penalised me. But I didn’t ever think, maybe I would have made different decisions, situations that have happened and that I could have avoided. There would have been something different.

    “So much wasted talent? Up to a certain point, I have won everything. I don’t know what is wasted.

    “I didn’t win the Euros or the World Cup. I’m sorry because I could have given much more, if I look at my career I think I didn’t do so badly but I certainly could have done more and it’s a regret.

    “My agent, who sadly no longer exists (Mino Raiola), always said that (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi had so many Ballon d’Ors because I was playing at 20% of my chances, because if I had played at 100%, I would have had them.

    “It seems like a big sentence, but knowing me it’s true, if I went back I would change that right away.”

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to battle Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic in group D

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to battle Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic in group D

    The draws for the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup scheduled to hold in Argentina  have been concluded and Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been handed a very tough draw TheNewsGuru.com can authoritatively reports.

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles earned a place in the FIFA World Cup fixed for Argentina in May after finishing third in the 2023 U20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    According to the draw released on Friday afternoon in Zurich, the 2015 African champions will face former champions Brazil, Italy and the Dominican Republic in Group D of the tournament.

    African champions Senegal will confront Colombia, Japan and Israel in group C while African 1st runners the Gambia will play in group F alongside France, Korea and Honduras.

     

  • Former Italy PM Berlusconi has leukaemia – Source

    Former Italy PM Berlusconi has leukaemia – Source

    Four-time Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has been diagnosed with leukaemia, a source close to the matter said on Thursday, a day after he was admitted to intensive care with breathing problems.

    The 86-year-old, whose media empire has made him a billionaire, is being treated in a cardiac unit of Milan’s San Raffaele hospital.

    There has been no official comment on his condition, but the source’s diagnosis of leukaemia, which is a cancer of the blood cells, confirmed a report in the Corriere della Sera daily.

    Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition, though the former prime minister does not have a role in government.

    “I spoke this morning with Professor (Alberto) Zangrillo (Berlusconi’s personal doctor) and he told me that Berlusconi spent a quiet night, his condition is stable,” Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani told RAI state television.

    Tajani, a long-time Berlusconi ally within Forza Italia, noted Berlusconi had survived a series of health problems.

    “We all want to be optimistic and we hope that the lion will return soon to take charge of the party.

    “He’s our political leader and of course, he never gives up,” Tajani told the broadcaster.

    The party subsequently released a statement saying Berlusconi had spoken in the morning to senior Forza Italia allies and urged “maximum commitment” in parliament.

    “The country needs us,” he was quoted as saying.

    Berlusconi, who made his fortune from commercial television, has suffered repeated bouts of ill-health in recent years and came out of the same hospital just last week after being treated for a few days.

    “There is obviously concern… (He) is alert but not in a position to deal with every situation,” Paolo Barelli, leader of Forza Italia in the lower house of parliament, told Italian radio.

    Berlusconi stepped down as prime minister for the last time in 2011, weighed down by sleaze and scandal, including his notorious “bunga bunga” parties, as Italy came close to a Greek-style debt crisis.

    But he returned to the Italian Senate after a national election last September and there is no obvious successor as leader of his party.

    As well as his enduring influence on Italian politics, Berlusconi’s Fininvest family holding group retains control of the MediaForEurope broadcast business.

    His son Pier Silvio Berlusconi is the chief executive of the company.

    Berlusconi built Italy’s biggest commercial TV network and gained an international profile as the owner of European soccer champions AC Milan before entering politics in 1994 when the previous political class was brought down by a corruption scandal.

    His health has deteriorated in recent years. He had heart surgery in 2016, has also had prostate cancer, and has been repeatedly admitted to the hospital since contracting Coronavirus in 2020.