Italy Away - 1st April 2009

**aidz1** · 16/12/2008, 2:33 PM

is milan the most feasible airport if the game was to be in genoa??

**Greenforever** · 16/12/2008, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by aidz1

is milan the most feasible airport if the game was to be in genoa??

Motorway links Milan and GEnoa, about 100km from memory, We're flying into Milan Linate early morning, if you're on that flight we'll be hiring a bus to wherever. About 30 of us on flight.

**Saint07** · 16/12/2008, 3:45 PM

Originally Posted by aidz1

is milan the most feasible airport if the game was to be in genoa??

Time by train
Rome - Genoa 5hr 20min

Milan - Genoa 1hr 30min
Bologna - Genoa between 3-4 hrs
Pisa - Genoa about 2 hours

If it is genoa anybody who gambled on rome have a good trip ahead of them.
Ah i'm sure we'll have a laugh on the train, just bring plenty of booze

**Green Tribe** · 18/12/2008, 11:14 AM

i predict venue confirmation on the 5th January, when all the italians are finished guzzling wine and turkey

**Claret Murph** · 18/12/2008, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by Green Tribe

i predict venue confirmation on the 5th January, when all the italians are finished guzzling wine and turkey

ERRRRRRR would that be 2009 or 2010 Green Tribe ????????

**gspain** · 18/12/2008, 12:54 PM

They have to do it 90 days before April 1st. That's roughly around Jan 1st. So we should be put out of our misery soon.

While it has obviously generated plenty of newsprint here the reality is that the Italians just haven't bothered to decide yet. However you could also believe that they picked Rome months ago. Travel Agents and journalists all reported it. Then they got cold feet when they realised that it could be anywhere. You then concoct a story that Michel Platini (UEFA president) decides that Rome is not a suitable venue for a FIFA World Cup game (nothing to do with him). However it will be perfectly safe a few weeks later to host a champions league final. However we all had a great time watching Ireland in Boston during the 1994 World Cup.

**gufct** · 18/12/2008, 1:48 PM

Italian F.A Holding final meeting of 2008 today.

**gspain** · 18/12/2008, 2:06 PM

Originally Posted by gufct

Italian F.A Holding final meeting of 2008 today.

Thanks for that. Think we'll know shortly then. At long last.

**ps bohs** · 18/12/2008, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by gufct

Italian F.A Holding final meeting of 2008 today.

link?

**ps bohs** · 18/12/2008, 2:18 PM

http://www.figc.it/en/204/20150/2008/12/News.shtml

**lopez** · 18/12/2008, 3:35 PM

I can't see the Italians not playing at least a game in Milan. They've seem to have always played there in the last few campaigns against the second rated side or one with a large support. Who they see is more worthy - Bulgaria or us - remains to be seen. Otherwise it could be Palermo or Cagliari.

**Sligo Hornet** · 19/12/2008, 6:38 AM

Originally Posted by lopez

I can't see the Italians not playing at least a game in Milan. They've seem to have always played there in the last few campaigns against the second rated side or one with a large support. Who they see is more worthy - Bulgaria or us - remains to be seen. Otherwise it could be Palermo or Cagliari.

Well that's cleared that up lopez......thanks!

**gspain** · 19/12/2008, 8:23 AM

Originally Posted by lopez

I can't see the Italians not playing at least a game in Milan. They've seem to have always played there in the last few campaigns against the second rated side or one with a large support. Who they see is more worthy - Bulgaria or us - remains to be seen. Otherwise it could be Palermo or Cagliari.

They normally play a game each in Rome and Milan.

While I would love to go back to Sardinia and Sicily one day April 1st is not it. Either would be a logistical nightmare.

Clearly no announcement/decision from yesterday's meeting either. It looks like it will just be an executive decision then.

**lopez** · 19/12/2008, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

Well that's cleared that up lopez......thanks!

I know. You could at least go down town Podgorica during the day safely, but that's not an option for Palermo. Still it might even be Catania, which I believe is the worst city in the EU for crime, poverty and violence, etc. According to its own Mayor, his city makes Limerick look like Monte Carlo.

I'll grab my coat!

**Green Tribe** · 20/12/2008, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by Claret Murph

ERRRRRRR would that be 2009 or 2010 Green Tribe ????????

Perhaps 2009 Sherlock

**Saint07** · 22/12/2008, 11:46 AM

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ir...s-1583051.html

Who knows if this is true. Wouldn't hold my breath.

**eaststand85** · 22/12/2008, 11:52 AM

Aer Lingus flights for €200 at the moment but have to say it doesn't sound like the most likely venue.

Flight Info. Departing Arriving Fare Seat Map

AER LINGUS EI450
non-stop Dublin
07:30 Tue 31 Mar 2009 Naples
11:45 Tue 31 Mar 2009 LowFare View Map

AER LINGUS EI451
non-stop Naples
12:40 Thu 02 Apr 2009 Dublin
15:10 Thu 02 Apr 2009 LowFare View Map

Price for this Journey Prices are shown in Euro

Passengers Fare p.p. Taxes & Charges Cost p.p. Total
1 Adult 130.98 56.21 187.19 187.19
Handling Fee 10.00 10.00
TOTAL EUR 197.19

**gspain** · 22/12/2008, 12:25 PM

Nothing on the Italian sites that I can find.

**lopez** · 22/12/2008, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

Nothing on the Italian sites that I can find.

Googled and this came up.

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/napol...dnotizia=31286

However is this an Italian source quoting the herald?

**gspain** · 22/12/2008, 2:49 PM

That only got posted just before 2pm our time so it is probably a followup on the Herald or else they have the same source as the Herald. That is if you assume the Herald reporter's source wasn't the waiter in his local pizzeria last night.

I'm told the FAI did not leak the story to the Herald and don't know yet themselves.

Given how close we are to a decision it may be credible. However the Herald isn't exactly known for checking sources too closely.

While Napoli fans are very passionate in support of their club side there is a deep mistrust of the national team. They consider that there is a huge bias towards northern Italy. Furthermore I doubt if they heat in Naples on April 1st at 9pm will be that severe.

An online translation of the story is below

The first one could be the Saint Paul of Naples to accommodate Italy in the challenge against the Ireland di next Trapattoni Opens them. In voting by ballot there are also Florence and Genoa, but Lippi would prefer the partenopeo heat for one challenge key in sight of the qualification to World-wide 2010. Some days before they have been visionati also the systems of Castelvolturno where the National one would have to be trained for two days.