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Soccer World Champions Back on Route

After the joy and excitement for winning World Cup 2006 has died down, and the match-fixing scandal that occupied Italy is largely over, the new world champions began training again and sets new objectives for the future. "After a World Cup victory it`s understandable for a bit of a letdown, but we`re already thinking about our next objective," captain Fabio Cannavaro said. "We want to win the 2008 European Championship. We haven`t won it in a long time."

The last time that the Italians brought a European Championship back to Italy was back in 1968, almost 40 years ago. They did come close at France 2000 when they lost to the hosts on the final. Italy will face Lithuania on Saturday, and then France, once again, four days later. The Azzuri are now concerned about their rematch against France and regard the whole thing as "just a game like all the others," as their midfielder said.

The game on Saturday will not only be Italy`s first match since their title win, but will also be the first game they play under new coach Roberto Donadoni. A different squad will meet Lithuania on Saturday, with nine of the players that brought Italy their World Cup title are out of the lineup ? `for now`.