Conspiracy theories give Italy new nightmares

Not among the players and coach Cesare Prandelli, it must be added, but in a media obsessed with football conspiracy theories which they bizarrely call "biscuits".

A win over eliminated whipping boys Ireland and their Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni in the final Group C game on Monday would be enough for Italy to make the quarter-finals in second place if Spain or Croatia win the other match.

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