How they qualified: Finished 1st in European Qualifying Group C

Team Base: Krakow

There’s one important thing to remember about major international tournaments.

Never count out the Italians.

While another match fixing scandal begins to tear its way through Serie A Italy will find it difficult to hide from the media spotlight that will engulf them during this summer’s tournament.

The last time a major scandal hit Italy’s top flight though was 2006, a year when Italy went on to lift the World Cup in Germany, and many may underestimate the focus and ability of this Italian side because of the distraction of the media circus.

There have been casualties in the side because of it, with Domenico Criscito dumped out of Cesare Prandelli’s side, while Gianluigi Buffon, the sides long term goalkeeper, is being investigated by the authorities after being implicated in the scandal too, although Buffon is still traveling with the side to Poland and the Ukraine.

There’s still enough quality in the Italy side to mount a realistic charge against any and all opposition and they could find their way out of the group with ease along with Spain.

WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-1-2-1-2

Buffon

Maggio - Barzagli - Chiellini - Balzaretti

Pirlo

Marchisio - De Rossi

Motta

Cassano - Balotelli

WFD predicted group finish: 2nd

Italy Group Schedule: (All times local)

Match 1: June 10 v Spain - PGE Arena, Gdansk (18:00)

Match 2: June 14 v Croatia - Municipal Stadium, Poznan (18:00)

Match 3: June 18 v Republic of Ireland - Municipal Stadium, Poznan (20:45)