Italy to play Cyprus in its opening 2010 World Cup qualifier
SOFIA, Bulgaria - World champion Italy will play at Cyprus on Sept. 6 in its opening 2010 World Cup qualifying match.
The schedule was announced Tuesday by the Bulgarian Football Federation following negotiations between team representatives, including Italy manager Roberto Donadoni and Georgia manager Klaus Topmoeller.
Italy hosts Georgia in Group 8 on Sept. 10 before playing in Bulgaria on Oct. 11, and hosting Montenegro four days later. Ireland is also in the group and travels to Italy on April 1, 2009.
"It won't be an easy group," Donadoni said. "Besides Bulgaria, we can't underestimate Ireland and especially Montenegro, which doesn't have much history but has top quality players based in Europe's top leagues."
Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic has become an integral member of AS Roma this season.
Italy will also participate in the Confederations Cup in June 2009, and the Azzurri made sure to allow enough time for the tournament in South Africa.
"It's a balanced schedule, I can only be satisfied and optimistic," Donadoni added.
Bulgaria will start with three of its first four matches away from home, including at Montenegro on Sept. 6. It will be Montenegro's first competitive match as a full member of FIFA since its split from Serbia.
G is Great South Africans
South Africa has many great sons and daughters who have made invaluable contributions to world culture.
Albert Lutuli was the first black and indeed the first African Nobel Prize winner in 1960. He was the leader of the African National Congress his house arrest prevented him from continuing his duties.
Desmond Tutu is known for his role in the international arena as a staunch opponent of apartheid, using his position as the South African Council of Churches to argue against the segregation. He won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his endeavours.
Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk were instrumental in negotiating an end apartheid in South Africa. They were both nominated for Nobel Peace Prizes in 1993 and continue their humanitarian work. Together, they ushered in a new democracy for South Africa.
Tutu, Mandela and De Klerk were present for the announcement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, making it the first time three Nobel Laureates were present for a FIFA World Cup host country announcement.
Other great South Africans include Christiaan Barnard, who performed the world's first successful heart transplant, and Nobel Prize winner Max Theiler, who produced the vaccine to fight Yellow Fever. In sport, Gary Player is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time.