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France takes down Italy
Croatia beat Italy 2-0 in the World Cup champion's first game since winning the title over a month ago as the Azzurri used the friendly to give seven players their national team debut.
"This was the antipasto of what awaits the regular starters," striker Cristiano Lucarelli said. "Let's not forget that Italy is the world champion and everyone wants to beat us."
Brazilian-born striker Eduardo put Croatia ahead in the 28th minute, heading the ball in as Italy's central defenders Giulio Falcone and Christian Terlizzi looked confused over assignments.
Falcone and Terlizzi were two of the debutantes for Italy, which also saw its first game under manager Roberto Donadoni.
Donadoni took over for Marcello Lippi, who resigned after leading the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup title in July.
Eduardo's Dinamo Zagreb teammate Luka Modric banged in a rebound for Croatia's second after Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia was unable to cleanly grab a long drive by veteran Milan Rapaic in the 42nd.
Amelia, who was Italy's No. 3 keeper in Germany, was the only member of Italy's World Cup squad called up for the match. The others have only recently returned to training following their post-World Cup vacation, leaving Donadoni to choose an experimental squad.
"The physical condition of the players from the World Cup was certainly inferior to the players tonight," Donadoni said. "This was a chance to look at some other players."
Croatia fielded a more experienced side, with 14 members of its team that was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup.
Eduardo, 21, and Modric, 23, are two of Croatia's more inexperienced members, however, and each scored their first goal for the national team.
New Croatia coach Slaven Bilic also made his debut.
Bilic replaced Zlatko Kranjcar, who was fired after the World Cup. Croatia scored only two goals in three games in Germany, losing to Brazil and drawing with Japan and Australia.
Bilic was a defender on the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup.
Bilic's central defenders, Josip Simunic and Dario Knezevic, were solid in heading the ball clear to thwart several Italy chances.
Italy missed on several other occasions as Donadoni kept his team attacking in a three-forward lineup.
Croatia made the first move when midfielder Darijo Srna sent a long free kick high over the goal seven minutes after kickoff.
Italy's first sign of offense came two minutes later, when Cagliari midfielder Mauro Esposito intercepted a pass at midfield and gave the ball to Cristiano Lucarelli, but the Livorno striker turned the ball over.
In the 11th, Lazio forward Tommaso Rocchi's shot was deflected wide by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, who was honored before the game for earning his 50th cap.
Rocchi had another chance in the 13th but shot high from an angle and Modric's long shot went wide in the 14th.
Rocchi, who scored 16 goals in Serie A last season, continued to spearhead Italy's attack, angling in a low shot that Pletikosa smothered in the 20th. In the 22nd, Rocchi's shot from the top of the area got past an outstretched Pletikosa but rolled just wide.
Eduardo was given a yellow card for a hard foul in the 21st, seven minutes before scoring the opening goal.
Following a scuffle in the 36th, yellows were handed out to Terlizzi, Liverani and Srna. Modric picked up a yellow in the 39th and the game ended with seven yellow cards in all.
Three minutes into the second half, Italy's captain for the game, Massimo Ambrosini, sent a powerful shot wide, and substitute Franco Semioli wasted a nice setup from Liverani in the 54th.
Modric nearly scored another goal for Croatia in the 65th but Amelia tipped his shot over the bar.
The loss snapped Italy's unbeaten streak at 25 games. The Azzurri had not lost since falling 1-0 to Slovenia in October 2004, compiling 16 wins and nine draws since then. It was the second longest streak in Azzurri history. Italy went 30 games without losing from 1935-39, a period that included the country's second World Cup title in 1938.
The regular Azzurri are expected back for Italy's next game - against Lithuania in Naples on Sept. 2 to open Euro 2008 qualifying. Italy visits France four days later in a rematch of the World Cup final.
Croatia opens Euro 2008 qualifying against Russia in Moscow on Sept. 6.
"This was the antipasto of what awaits the regular starters," striker Cristiano Lucarelli said. "Let's not forget that Italy is the world champion and everyone wants to beat us."
Brazilian-born striker Eduardo put Croatia ahead in the 28th minute, heading the ball in as Italy's central defenders Giulio Falcone and Christian Terlizzi looked confused over assignments.
Falcone and Terlizzi were two of the debutantes for Italy, which also saw its first game under manager Roberto Donadoni.
Donadoni took over for Marcello Lippi, who resigned after leading the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup title in July.
Eduardo's Dinamo Zagreb teammate Luka Modric banged in a rebound for Croatia's second after Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia was unable to cleanly grab a long drive by veteran Milan Rapaic in the 42nd.
Amelia, who was Italy's No. 3 keeper in Germany, was the only member of Italy's World Cup squad called up for the match. The others have only recently returned to training following their post-World Cup vacation, leaving Donadoni to choose an experimental squad.
"The physical condition of the players from the World Cup was certainly inferior to the players tonight," Donadoni said. "This was a chance to look at some other players."
Croatia fielded a more experienced side, with 14 members of its team that was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup.
Eduardo, 21, and Modric, 23, are two of Croatia's more inexperienced members, however, and each scored their first goal for the national team.
New Croatia coach Slaven Bilic also made his debut.
Bilic replaced Zlatko Kranjcar, who was fired after the World Cup. Croatia scored only two goals in three games in Germany, losing to Brazil and drawing with Japan and Australia.
Bilic was a defender on the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup.
Bilic's central defenders, Josip Simunic and Dario Knezevic, were solid in heading the ball clear to thwart several Italy chances.
Italy missed on several other occasions as Donadoni kept his team attacking in a three-forward lineup.
Croatia made the first move when midfielder Darijo Srna sent a long free kick high over the goal seven minutes after kickoff.
Italy's first sign of offense came two minutes later, when Cagliari midfielder Mauro Esposito intercepted a pass at midfield and gave the ball to Cristiano Lucarelli, but the Livorno striker turned the ball over.
In the 11th, Lazio forward Tommaso Rocchi's shot was deflected wide by Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, who was honored before the game for earning his 50th cap.
Rocchi had another chance in the 13th but shot high from an angle and Modric's long shot went wide in the 14th.
Rocchi, who scored 16 goals in Serie A last season, continued to spearhead Italy's attack, angling in a low shot that Pletikosa smothered in the 20th. In the 22nd, Rocchi's shot from the top of the area got past an outstretched Pletikosa but rolled just wide.
Eduardo was given a yellow card for a hard foul in the 21st, seven minutes before scoring the opening goal.
Following a scuffle in the 36th, yellows were handed out to Terlizzi, Liverani and Srna. Modric picked up a yellow in the 39th and the game ended with seven yellow cards in all.
Three minutes into the second half, Italy's captain for the game, Massimo Ambrosini, sent a powerful shot wide, and substitute Franco Semioli wasted a nice setup from Liverani in the 54th.
Modric nearly scored another goal for Croatia in the 65th but Amelia tipped his shot over the bar.
The loss snapped Italy's unbeaten streak at 25 games. The Azzurri had not lost since falling 1-0 to Slovenia in October 2004, compiling 16 wins and nine draws since then. It was the second longest streak in Azzurri history. Italy went 30 games without losing from 1935-39, a period that included the country's second World Cup title in 1938.
The regular Azzurri are expected back for Italy's next game - against Lithuania in Naples on Sept. 2 to open Euro 2008 qualifying. Italy visits France four days later in a rematch of the World Cup final.
Croatia opens Euro 2008 qualifying against Russia in Moscow on Sept. 6.
hamon balaham sareshon omad 
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