Latest news with #Azzurri
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lioness fans eager to 'reclaim title' as Women's Euro 2025 trophy 'so close'
Italy will have huge support in the stands with more than 600,000 Italian residents in Switzerland, they make up the largest portion of foreign residents in the country England fans have said the Euros trophy feels so close 'you can almost touch it' as the Lionesses prepare to take on Italy in the semi-final tomorrow. But they'll have to contend with a 10,000-strong Azzurri blue army in the Stade de Geneva, as Switzerland is home to around 640,000 Italians. And after their nail-biting penalty shootout with Sweden, fans are hoping the Lionesses won't get complacent against the Italians, ranked 13th in the world. Leanne Woodall, 33, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, said: "The final is so close you can almost taste it. The Sweden game was so nerve-wracking I couldn't even watch the penalties, I was glancing at the pitch through my fingers. "But when we won and the final whistle went the atmosphere in the stands was like a final, it was electric. We can beat any team we want as long as our heads are in it, the passion is there and it feels like it's our time now to step up again and reclaim our title." Italians constitute the largest group of foreign residents in the country, with an estimated 640,000 people of Italian nationality registered in Switzerland, according to Statista. And the number of Italian speakers is significantly higher than the number of Italian citizens. The Swiss Federal Statistical Office estimates that roughly 8.4% of the Swiss population, or 720,000 people, declare Italian as their main language. But Julie Abbott, from Newark, Notts, and her pal, Clair Coyles, 36, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, are hoping the Lionesses will go all the way so they can watch them win the Euros for the first time together. The pair met at the Australian World Cup two years ago and are determined to rewrite the disappointment of the last final they witnessed together, when England were pipped by Spain. Julie, 55, said: "I wasn't at the last Euros final but Clair was, then we both had the disappointment of the World Cup Final, so to see them get there and lift the trophy would be immense. It would be amazing for the whole country, not just us fans out here, it would lift the whole of England. "Watching them win the Euros was euphoric... But it would be even better - the best feeling to be able to watch them win it, from in the stands stood together. We met at the World Cup in Aus and now we have this massive Women's Football Community now that comes together every tournament. It's like one big football family. We all sit together at the games. To get to celebrate it and experience it together would just be next level." The pair have been calming their semi-final nerves by enjoying as much as Switzerland's spectacular scenery as possible. Speaking to the Mirror on the train back from Switzerland's epic Matterhorn mountain, Julie added: "It's the semi final and whoever we were playing I think we would feel nervous because the final is within touching distance now, you can see it ahead of you. "It's just so close and it would be such a shame if we didn't get there again. Fingers crossed, with a good performance and a little bit of luck, we should be in the final." And while the band of the barmy army will be striking up in the stands, the Lionesses will also be feeling the support of fans 800 miles away back home, where pubs have been given a special dispensation to open late. In May the Home Office revealed plans to allow bars with an 11pm licence to stay open until 1am so no fan misses out on the action. Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: "Nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams, which is why we want fans to be able to enjoy every minute of these matches." And while the nation rallies behind them, the Lionesses have grown even closer as a team following recent revelations from Jess Carter about the racist abuse she has suffered during the tournament. Speaking ahead of the game yesterday Georgia Stanway, blasted the racist trolls adding 'they're not fans'. The 26-year-old from Barrow in Furness said: "I think being vulnerable is probably one of the most important things because it brings the group so much closer together. I think when times are tough on the pitch, you want to be able to rely on your teammates and you want to be able to look at them in both good and bad and understand that you're both on the right journey and you're both on the right path to exactly what you want at the end, which is to win. "We've talked a lot about vulnerability and we've talked a lot about opening our arms up and recognising who is next to us and having belief in the people next to you and not the people that are not in the bubble."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
📲 Watch Napoli live on OneFootball: all pre-season friendlies in the app
Napoli is back on OneFootball! ALL of the Italian Champions' summer friendlies are LIVE on OneFootball, available in Pay-Per-View for €9.99. It starts tomorrow with the first match, check out the full calendar below: Napoli-Arezzo, 22/07/2025 at 18:00 [Click here from the app and buy the match now]; Napoli-Catanzaro, 26/07/2025 at 18:00 [Click here from the app and buy the match now]; Napoli-Stade Brestois 29, 03/08/2025 at 19:00 [Click here from the app and buy the match now]; Napoli-Girona FC, 09/08/2025 at 19:00 [Click here from the app and buy the match now]; Napoli-Olympiakos FC, 14/08/2025 at 20:00 [Click here from the app and buy the match now] To purchase all matches from a web browser, click here instead! Azzurri fans will be able to follow the summer matches wherever they are in the world, on any device, with the sole exception of the countries of origin of the international teams hosted in Castel di Sangro (for example, Napoli-Stade Brestois is not visible in France). To watch, simply purchase the match you want to watch for €9.99: on OneFootball, no monthly subscription is required, you only pay for the match you want to see. HOW TO BUY MATCHES ON ONEFOOTBALL To purchase Napoli's friendlies on OneFootball, you will need to: Register for free on OneFootball's platform via Web or on Mobile App Type "Napoli" in the search bar and access the Club's profile Select the "Matches" section, click on one of the upcoming paid friendlies) Complete the purchase at a price of €9.99 for the single match Watch the match on your smartphone, Smart TV, or web browser. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 Francesco Pecoraro - 2025 Getty Images
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'More to the game': outpouring of support drives devastated Azzurri captain
Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night. The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee. "I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said. "It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage." Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment. "We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said. "They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30. "I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours." Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future. Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery. Nearly $9000 has already been raised. "I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful. "The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love. "I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey." READ MORE: It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end. On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm). Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night. Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm). The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win. In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm). On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm). Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night. The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee. "I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said. "It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage." Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment. "We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said. "They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30. "I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours." Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future. Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery. Nearly $9000 has already been raised. "I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful. "The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love. "I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey." READ MORE: It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end. On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm). Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night. Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm). The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win. In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm). On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm). Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night. The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee. "I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said. "It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage." Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment. "We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said. "They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30. "I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours." Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future. Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery. Nearly $9000 has already been raised. "I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful. "The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love. "I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey." READ MORE: It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end. On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm). Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night. Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm). The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win. In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm). On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm). Jayna Fraser has been drawing strength from an outpouring of community support after being devastated by season-ending injuries in the Northern NSW Football Women's State Cup final at Speers Point on Sunday night. The American, who is Charlestown Azzurri's NPL Women's first-grade captain, was making a tackle when she sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), torn medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), patella displacement, and severe bone bruising in her right knee. "I really went for it, I guess," Fraser, who is trying to stay optimistic, said. "It was just the way that I turned. There was an instant pop and my whole leg just went weak. The first thought was, I knew I did damage." Fraser lay on the field in agony for almost two hours waiting for an ambulance before a decision was made the transport the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital for treatment and assessment. "We felt like that was going to be able to get me in quickest based on the pain that I was in; I was not well," she said. "They were wonderful. They got me in right away. We got there probably about 9pm and with medication, X-ray, equipment, spoke to two doctors, we were out of hospital by 10.30. "I had an MRI and referral already booked with results by the next day, so everything was done within 48 hours." Fraser, whose partner Keiran Hayes plays for Azzurri's men's team and is in Australia on a bridging visa towards permanent residency, now faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The 23-year-old will need surgery and is unable to work at her job in aged care for the foreseeable future. Azzurri teammate Madi Gallegos has set up a GoFundMe page to support their fearless leaders' medical costs on the road to recovery. Nearly $9000 has already been raised. "I'm OK," Fraser said. "I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm blessed that I have so many people who are helping me, which is just wonderful. "The support and love that I've received, not only from this community but the soccer community, I know there are so many people out there who have my back, and I'm feeling the love. "I've had a message from at least a player in every club in this league. It goes to show there's much more to the game, which I appreciate, and it actually is pushing me every single day and it's making me excited to see where I come out at the end of this new journey." READ MORE: It is a huge blow for the defending champions, who are in a two-way tussle with Maitland for the premiership as the competition approaches its pointy end. On Sunday, second-placed Azzurri host last-placed Broadmeadow at Lisle Carr Oval (4pm). Leaders Maitland were away to fifth-placed Adamstown on Friday night. Lake Macquarie look set to unleash A-League strike weapon Lara Gooch against New Lambton at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday (5pm). The fourth-placed Golden Eagles (23 points) can climb ahead of third-placed Newcastle Olympic (24), who have the bye, with a win. In NPL Men on Saturday, Azzurri host Cooks Hill (2pm), Lambton are home to Valentine (2pm) and New Lambton travel to Belmont Swansea (2.30pm). On Sunday, Adamstown are away to Weston (2pm), Olympic play Edgeworth at Darling Street Oval (2pm) and Magic battle Maitland at Magic Park (4.30pm).
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Italy score, Australia assist: How expats from Down Under returned to their roots and fuelled cricket's revival in the football-obsessed nation
Harry Manenti in many ways defines what Italy's cricket is all about. Man of the Series in the tournament that sealed Azzurri's qualification to the T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka next February-March, Manenti's family has Italian roots. His father played professional rugby for Benetton in Brescia at the foot of the Alps and, growing up in Sydney, cricket remained a part of their household. Apart from weekend games with the large Italian community in the bustling city, his elder brother Benjamin has been a regular in Australia's first-class system. Yet, playing in the World Cup still looked like a dream too far until a phone call arrived four years ago. It all started with Benjamin applying for a European passport and looking for avenues to play cricket in the UK. 'Our father had shown us the route, and when Ben was looking for opportunities, he had also enrolled for the Big Bash. With his name circling, the Italy federation saw the last name and reached out asking if he was available to play for them. Then he told them about me and all of a sudden, I was playing in Italy with Ben joining a year later,' Manenti tells The Indian Express. The Manentis, like over a million others in Australia with Italian roots, have long shared a common dream — to keep cricket around them at all times. Harry and Benjamin's parents, like many others, migrated to Australia at the end of World War II in search of better opportunities. Cricket, which had been a prominent sport back in Italy before the War, was too hard to let go of. Down Under with facilities that are second to none, they went about building a strong base, establishing clubs in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide which have players only of Italian origin. The Manentis are part of this sound eco-system where their weekends would be spent with the community and beyond. Italy captain Joe Burns, who once wore the famous Australian Baggy Green before becoming an Azzurri in 2024, posted an emotional message after qualification, that read: 'This triumph is more than cricket'. *** Most things about Italian cricket are fascinating. It's a sport that's completely banned in the northern town of Monfalcone because it caused significant disturbance to the locals. And that wasn't the first time the sport was banned in Italy. Cricket, which was first played in Italy in 1890, was once on an equal footing with football when the English moved to their shores. In fact, Genoa, the Serie A football club, started as a cricket club. So did the European powerhouse AC Milan, which has retained its English name as against the Italian Milano. Clubs would then spring up in Turin as well, with cricket being played in the summer before football became the sport for the winter months. 'When Italy was unified in 1870, the English had helped a lot,' Simone Gambino, the honorary president of the Italian Cricket Federation (ICF) says. 'In the three cities – Genoa, Milan and Turin, which we call the industrial triangle, there were a lot of English. They brought cricket here, similar to what they did in India. These cities still go by the English name because of their influence. For 20 years till World War II, cricket and football lived together in these English clubs. It just disappeared after fascism set in,' Gambino says. According to Gambino, in the World War era, cricket only continued in Rome's religious colleges run by the English and Scots. The scene would continue till the end of WW II, when the English started to arrive back in Italy. 'Post War, they re-sent a lot of people and particularly in Rome, there was a flood of cricketing activities through the religious institutes and priests. There is a team of the Vatican these days called St. Peter's Cricket Club. And it's the Pope's team, it's the team of the Vatican. It is nearly entirely composed of Indian and Sri Lankan priests,' Gambino says. Having learnt the sport from his American grandfather while growing up in London, Gambino says when he arrived in Italy in the late 1970s as a teenager, many Italian expats played cricket. With quality being poor, Gambino admits it never flourished and by the mid-90s, the arrival of the Asian population saw a complete takeover. But what Gambino and ICF didn't realise was that indigenous Italians who moved elsewhere after World War II didn't abandon cricket. Gambino, who doesn't forget to remind that Ted Dexter and Daniel Vettori were of Italian heritage, reveals that a majority of Italians who moved to England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand post World War II kept cricket within their grasp. 'In Melbourne's JICA league, there is a team called Rosebank made up of only Italians which has been winning the title for the last 10 years. The whole focus of the last 20 years of ICC policy has been on development and spreading the game. And a lot of money has been spent on this. But unfortunately, you cannot spread the culture quickly. Culture needs time. Football is popular all over the world. A lot of money was spent about 10 years ago to get football going in India, but it doesn't work. A lot of Italians kept the cricket culture going wherever they settled,' says Gambino was ICF chair from 1986 to 2016 before taking up the honorary role. While the arrival of thousands of expats from the Indian sub-continent has kept club-level cricket flourishing in Italy, what is also undeniable is that the local population hasn't taken up the game as much as those of the previous generations. Gambino, while mentioning the reason for Monfalcone banning cricket, explains the game in Italy in a nutshell. 'In Monfalcone, obviously there is some racism by the Italians against the Bengalis. But it also must be said that the Bengalis are using cricket as a device to do their own thing. When I was the chairman, we offered the Bengali community to play on a beautiful grass baseball ground, but they weren't interested. The people who have been forbidden from playing cricket in Monfalcone are not clubs or teams, but a bunch of people who just want to go out and bat and bowl at random places in the streets. We want to introduce the sport in schools. It shouldn't be seen as a sub-continent sport played by expats. It is a sport for everyone, including the Italians,' Gambino says. A post shared by ICC (@icc) *** Peter Di Venuto can well be called as Italy cricket's flagbearer in Australia. While his brother, Michael, played nine ODIs for Australia before switching to Italy in 2012, Peter turned out for Italy apart from playing club-level cricket in Tasmania, where he now resides. After gaining T20I status in 2019, Peter has played a big role in uniting the Italian community in Australia in terms of exploring the option of turning out for Azzurri. It was Peter who had reached out to the Manentis with the idea of playing for Italy. 'There are a lot of them who are interested. We could have had Spencer Johnson playing for us, but he got picked in franchise cricket and he turned out for Australia soon after. Now, we're establishing academies in Australia for Italian citizens, dual citizens for boys and girls to be able to support the national team in Italy as we progress towards the Olympics,' he says. Di Venuto adds: 'So in terms of a strategy, it's very much part of our strategy to engage with Italians all over the world. It doesn't just exist in Italy. You have got a huge settlement here and players who have access to the best facilities and some even feature in domestic tournaments. If they believe it is not logical to get into the Australian team, they have Italy as an option. There are many in South Africa as well, who are showing interest. The qualification has improved the profile of the team and a lot of them want to get involved already.' Cricket finding its way into the Olympics has already given a much-needed boost to the sport in Italy. According to Di Venuto, players are now tested every 12 months by the Italian National Olympic Committee and a database has already been put in place. Like Gambino, Di Venuto admits the interest among the locals has dwindled. 'The school programme started two years back, so we have to see how it goes. In the meantime, we thought about how we keep improving and in Australia, we had a good system in place already,' he says. 'A lot of us have grown up playing the game here and have a skill set that we all feel should be empowered to do something back to honour our heritage and roots back in Italy. And that part has been the motivation of this team. People moving out of India and Pakistan take cricket with them. We are no different. We took cricket with us from Italy and continued it here,' De Veuto adds. Manenti, meanwhile, is already dreaming about the T20 World Cup. The tournament might still be six months away, but the all-rounder is already manifesting the idea of playing in front of packed crowds. 'I want India or Australia in our pool. Growing up in Australia, supporting the Australian cricket team is something that I've always dreamt of. But to then play them in a World Cup would be amazing,' he says. 'Also playing India in a World Cup in India would probably just about be the most incredible thing that you can do in any sport in the world, I would think. So I don't mind where we play, when India is playing at home, irrespective of the venue, it will be packed.'
India.com
12-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Has Any Country Won Both Cricket and Football World Cup? Know As Italy Qualifies For T20 World Cup 2026
photoDetails english 2930573 Updated:Jul 12, 2025, 12:33 PM IST The Ultimate Sporting Double? 1 / 8 Has any nation truly conquered both the Cricket World Cup and the FIFA World Cup?It's a rare feat that speaks volumes about a country's sporting diversity and depth. Let's dive into the archives to uncover this unique distinction. Italy's New Chapter in Cricket History 2 / 8 A historic moment for Italian cricket as they qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026!Known for their football prowess, the Azzurri are now making their mark on the global cricket achievement sparks a fascinating question about dual sporting dominance. Two Worlds, Different Champions 3 / 8 Football and cricket, though both global, demand distinct skills and traditions. Many nations dominate one sport but rarely achieve top-tier success in the paths to glory in these two disciplines are often miles apart. Giants of Each Game 4 / 8 Think of Brazil's five FIFA World Cup titles, a footballing Australia's six Cricket World Cup triumphs, a cricketing neither of these titans has lifted the other's most coveted trophy. A Truly Exclusive Club 5 / 8 To win both requires an extraordinary blend of talent, infrastructure, and a testament to a sporting culture that nurtures excellence across different an achievement would place a nation in an incredibly exclusive club. The Unveiling: One Nation Stands Alone 6 / 8 The suspense builds as we consider which country could possibly hold this unique not who you might immediately expect, given the traditional strongholds of each one flag has flown victoriously in both major global tournaments. England: The Dual Champions 7 / 8 Yes, it's England! They lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in 1966 on home recently, they clinched their first Cricket World Cup title in a thrilling final in 2019.A truly remarkable sporting achievement for the inventors of both games. A Legacy Of Sporting Excellence 8 / 8 England's dual World Cup victories highlight their deep-rooted sporting Italy embarks on its T20 World Cup journey, the dream of such a double lives world of sport continues to surprise and inspire with its unique tales of triumph.
