The Cult of Calcio - Page 1301 of 1325 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Les Fennecs, Atlas and Teranga Lions Make Winning AFCON Starts

June 24, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Africa Cup, Africa Cup 2019, Algeria, Jewels of the Nile, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania

Algeria’s Les Fennecs started their African Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over the Harambee Stars of Kenya at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo. Meanwhile, the Teranga Lions beat the Taifa Stars of Tanzania by two goals to nil, while Keimune’s own goal earned the Atlas Lions of Morocco a slim win over the Brave Warriors of Namibia.

Italy U-21 Win vs Belgium May Not Be Enough For Semis

June 23, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Belgium, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri, Under 21 European Championship, Under 21 European Championship 2019

The Azzurrini did their job, but their fate doesn’t depend on them anymore. Luigi Di Biagio’s Under-21 selection defeated 3-1 an already-eliminated Belgian side on Saturday, but Spain’s simultaneous 5-0 routing of Poland qualified the young Furias Rojas as first from Group A of the U-21 European Championship. Chances for Italy to advance as best runner-up are dim.

The Cult of Calcio’s Map of Serie A 2019-2020

June 22, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

The starting grid for the upcoming Serie A season will look familiar to the most aficionado fans of Italian football, as the elevator from the second division sent back three clubs with a remarkable history in the top level of calcio. Brescia, Lecce, and Verona won a ticket to the big show at the end of a tormented Serie B season.

Poland Lone Goal Brings Azzurrini Back to Reality

June 19, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Italian Football, Italy, Poland, The Azzurri, Under 21 European Championship, Under 21 European Championship 2019

Italy, it’s reality-check time already. A lone goal by Krystian Bielik gave Poland an unexpected win over Luigi Di Biagio’s Azzurrini in the second match of Group A of the U-21 European Championship. Italy are now at risk of missing the train to the next stage of the tournament. Even beating Belgium next Saturday could not be enough to book a place in the Semifinals.

Italy U-21 Defeat Spanish Nemesis with Chiesa Brace

June 16, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Italian Football, Italy, Spain, The Azzurri, Under 21 European Championship, Under 21 European Championship 2019

Italy U-21 finally broke a spell made of multiple setbacks against the same-aged Spaniards, defeating Luis de la Fuentes’ side 3-1 on Sunday in their opening match in Group A of the U-21 European Championship. The young Azzurri came from behind to level Dani Ceballos’ lead with a double by Federico Chiesa, before setting the score with Lorenzo Pellegrini.

La Copa de Carlos: Who’s Your Copa America Favorite?

June 15, 2019 Carlos Molano Copa America, Copa America 2019, La Copa de Carlos

Copa América, the oldest international continental football competition, kicked off last night with host country Brazil defeating Bolivia 3-0 in the opening match. Carlos Molano will follow the Brazilian event for The Cult of Calcio, providing match analysis and insight from a tournament featuring players like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Alexis Sánchez, and Philippe Coutinho.

Jewels of The Nile: The Birth of The Africa Cup of Nations

June 13, 2019 Mohamed Ezzat Africa Cup, Africa Cup 2019, Jewels of the Nile

Did you know that the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations will be the 32nd edition of the tournament? Do you know how and when it all started? If the answer is no, then you are in the right place. So let’s dive back into history and have look at how the idea of a continental tournament for African countries came to life, 62 years ago.

Azzurri Insigne, Verratti Bend Bosnia’s Resistance

June 11, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Euro 2020, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri

The Azzurri have learned to suffer. It was a battle with no quarter on Tuesday at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, where Italy knocked down Bosnia with goals by Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti, coming from behind in the second half to neutralize Edin Dzeko’s opener. Roberto Mancini's boys caught the fourth win in four Euro 2020 qualification games.

Throwback Thursday: Brazil-Italy, The First World Cup Penalty Final

June 10, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Brazil, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri, Throwback Thursday, World Cup, World Cup 1994

Brazil-Italy is the Superclasico of the World Cup, the most traditional game in the major football competition. The Azzurri and the Selecao have crossed their paths many times in the history of the world tournament, always with much at stake. On July 17, 1994, Brazil prevailed over Italy in the first World Cup Final decided on penalties to conquer the long-yearned-for "Tetra."

Italy Beat Mali To Seal U-20 World Cup Semifinal Spot

June 7, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri, Under 20, Under 20 World Cup 2019

Italy made it again to the Top Four. The Azzurrini beat Mali 4-2 today in Tychy, Poland to book a place in the Semifinals of the Under 20 World Cup, an achievement already reached two years ago by coach Paolo Nicolato’s squad. Italy’s next opponent on the way to the Final in Lodz will be Ukraine, which beat Colombia 1-0 earlier in the afternoon.

Assi di Coppe: Liverpool Clinch Champions League Throne

June 2, 2019 The Cult of Calcio Staff Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Europa League, Liverpool, Tottenham

Seven is a charm for Jurgen Klopp. The German coach finally clinched a European Cup title leading Liverpool to a 2-0 win over Tottenham to conquer the Champions League 2018-19, and breaking a curse made of six international Final losses. Liverpool took a rapid lead with a penalty by Mohammed Salah, and controlled the game until Divock Origi’s late goal.

Jewels of The Nile: AFCON Mascot Between Past and Present

June 1, 2019 Mohamed Ezzat Africa Cup, Africa Cup 2019, Egypt, Jewels of the Nile

On May 19, the Organizing Committee of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations unveiled the official mascot of the tournament: A footballer Pharaoh named Tut. While Committee Director Mohamed Fadel praised the work done by the creative agency, Tut's image doesn't seem to be very original, argues The Cult of Calcio's contributor Mohamed Ezzat.