Italy will begin to defend its world title on Monday when they face Paraguay in their opening Group F match. The Azzurri will look to make a strong statement in their debut as many in the football world are doubting their posibilities of retaining their crown. Marcello Lippi has set up a strong defense with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and centerback Fabio Cannavaro anchoring Italy's back line. However, much skepticism surrounds the Azzurri camp as poor results and a lack of scoring in their last three exhibition matches have caused much concern among the Italian fans and media.

Paraguay, meanwhile, has strong aspirations of qualifying out of the group stage as New Zealand and Slovakia do not seem to be of major concern as of yet. Paraguay, with Argentine coach Gerardo Martino at the helm, could be a dark horse in the group stage. Although they lost Salvador Cabanas because of a gun shot wound to the the head earlier in the year, Lucas Barrios has stepped up to the plate.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, who was born in Argentina and was naturalized Paraguayan just weeks ago, was the third leading goal scorer in Germany's Bundesliga this season. Barrios was also the leading scorer in the world in the 2008-2009 season playing for Chile giant Colo Colo according to the IFFHS. Roque Santa Cruz should also get plenty of looks on offense as his EPL experience should give him an advantage playing in or around the opponent's goal area.

The match will take place at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and is scheduled for a 2:30pm ET kickoff. Both sides met just once in World Cup play, with Italy grabbing the win in 1950.

Probable starting lineups:

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Chiellini, Cananvaro, Criscito; Gattuso, Di Natale, Montolivo, Rossi, Quagliarella; Gilardino

Paraguay: Villar, Bonet, Veron, Da Silva, Morel; Vera, Santana, Riveros, Torres; Valdez, Barrios

ITALY-PARAGUAY PREVIEW

The excitement is building as we get a week away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We finish Group F with Slovakia.

OFFICIAL NAME: Slovenský Futbalový Zväz



NICKNAME: Bojovni Jondovci (The Fighting Jondas)

FIFA CONFEDERATION: UEFA (Europe)

FIFA CODE: SVK

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 1st place in Group 3 of UEFA Qualifying

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 8 as Czechoslovakia, 1st as Slovakia

BEST WC FINISH: Runners-up in Italy 1934 & Chile 1962 (Both as Czechoslovakia)

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 30: 11W - 5D - 14L (As Czechoslovkia)

HEAD COACH: Vladimír Weiss

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Miroslav Karhan (96)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Szilárd Németh (22)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
Slovaks participated in international football as part of Czechoslovakia for 50 years until Slovakia gained its independence in 1993. As part of the Czechoslovakia team, Slovaks contributed to 2 World Cup final match appearances. Losing to Italy in the 1934 final and Garrincha & Pele's Brazil in the 1962 final.

Slovakia's national side played its first game as an independent nation in 1994 and 16 years later qualified for its first World Cup. Slovakia exacted a bit of political and football revenge by eliminating the Czech Republic who were in the same qualifying group.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Slovakia's player to watch has an excellent professional reputation in Italy and could be on his way to a big club, he is Marek Hamšík.
(Marek-Hamsik.com)
The 22-year old Napoli star has already earned his nation's captaincy and is the key to Slovakia's attack. Hamšík is in a position to play his way to a bigger club if he plays well and can lead Slovakia out of the group stage. Hamšík will be the focus of opposition defenses so his playmaking abilities will have to be sharp for Slovakia to advance.

OUTLOOK:
Slovakia can take a page from Ghana in 2006 in that their 1st WC appearance they can advance out of the group stage. Slovakia is not to be taken lightly and tactically Slovakia can give fits to both Italy and Paraguay.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui, Romania), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United, Scotland)

Defenders: Marek Cech (West Brom, England), Jan Durica (Hannover, Germany), Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg, Germany), Martin Petras (Cesena, Italy), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool, England), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz, Germany)

Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli, Italy), Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Politehnica Timisoara, Romania), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi, Greece), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea, England), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)

Forwards: Filip Holosko (Besiktas, Turkey), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow, Russia), Erik Jendrisek (Schalke, Germany), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum, Germany), Robert Vittek (Lille, France).

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 15 vs. New Zealand
June 20 vs. Paraguay
June 24 vs. Italy

Up next are the teams from Group G, the so-called "The Group of Death"

Slovakia - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get a week away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We continue on to Group F with the South American nation of Paraguay.

OFFICIAL NAME: Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol



NICKNAME:La Albirroja

FIFA CONFEDERATION: CONMEBOL (South America)

FIFA CODE: PAR

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 3rd place in CONMEBOL WC Qualifying Standings

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 8

BEST WC FINISH: Round of 16, Mexico 1986, France 1988 & Korea/Japan 2002

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 22: 6W - 7D - 9L

HEAD COACH: Gerardo Martino

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Carlos Gamarra (110)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): José Saturnino Cardozo (25)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
In South America, Paraguay is regarded as the most physical and arguably the toughest minded side in the region. La Albirroja participated in the 1st World Cup in 1930. Paraguay has won 2 Copa America titles but Paraguay have yet to establish themselves outside of South America as a major footballing power.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Paraguay's player to watch is part of the Argentine-born contingent that will help La Albirroja in South Africa, he is Néstor Ortigoza.
(Photo at Ultimahora.com)
Ortigoza plays for current Argentine champions, Argentinos Juniors and was an important midfield player in their surprise 2010 Clausura title. Ortigoza's father is Paraguayan and joins Jonathan Santana and Lucas Barrios as Argentine-born but naturalized Paraguayans. Ortigoza has to blend into a veteran midfield that worked well in qualifying.

OUTLOOK:
Paraguay has the talent and the organization to win the group, the goal for La Albirroja will be what happens during the knockout stages. The way Paraguay qualified in South America has many observers believing that this could be the year that Paraguay finally makes it past the Round of 16.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin, Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno);

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon, Mexico), Dario Veron (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Caceres (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland, England), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, Eng), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina);

Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, England), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, Italy), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina);

Attackers: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca, Mexico), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 14 vs. Italy
June 20 vs. Slovakia
June 24 vs. New Zealand

Group F Breakdowns finish up with Slovakia

Paraguay - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than two weeks away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We continue on to Group F with Oceania's representative, New Zealand.

OFFICIAL NAME: New Zealand Football



NICKNAME: All Whites

FIFA CONFEDERATION: OFC (Oceania)

FIFA CODE: NZL

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Won Oceania WC qualifying group and def. Bahrain in 2-leg playoff.

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 2

BEST WC FINISH: Eliminated in Group Stage, Spain 1982

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 3:0W - 0D - 3L

HEAD COACH: Ricki Herbert

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Ivan Vicelich (66)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Vaughan Coveny (28)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
New Zealand became the dominant force in Oceania after Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation. The All Whites 1st appearance in the World Cup was Spain 1982 and they needed a dramatic playoff win against China to make history. 28 years later, it happened again this time against Bahrain in another playoff. New Zealand has yet to win a match in a World Cup or Confederations Cup.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
New Zealand will look to a young playmaker from the A-League to help spearhead its attack, his name is Jeremy Brockie.
(Photo By NZSoccer.com)
Brockie is a veteran of New Zealand's Under-20 and Under-23 teams and wears the #10 shirt for Newcastle Jets of the A-League. Brockie is seen as a rising star in New Zealand football and made the WC squad despite breaking his leg in an A-League match in January.

OUTLOOK:
New Zealand might be the biggest underdog in this World Cup and it will be a massive accomplishment if they can get a point from a team in this group. If they manage to shock the footballing world and advance out of the group, The All Whites would instantly become the sentimental favorites.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers:
James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory/Australia), Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders:
Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls/USA), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers/England), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland/Denmark), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town/England), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)

Midfielders:
Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay Rowdies/USA), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), Simon Elliott (unattached), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell/Scotland), David Mulligan (unattached)

Forwards:
Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets/Australia), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle/England), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough/England), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United/Australia), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion/England)

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 15 vs. Slovakia
June 20 vs. Italy
June 24 vs. Paraguay

Group F Breakdowns continue with Paraguay

New Zealand - WC Team Breakdown

The excitement is building as we get closer to opening match of the 2010 World Cup. The Great Tournament is less than two weeks away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We start Group F with the defending World Champions, Italy.

OFFICIAL NAME: Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio



NICKNAME: Azzurri

FIFA CONFEDERATION: UEFA (Europe)

FIFA CODE: ITA

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 1st place in Group 8 of UEFA WC qualifying

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 17

BEST WC FINISH: 4x Champions, Current WC Trophy Holders

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 77:44W - 19D - 14L

HEAD COACH: Marcelo Lippi

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Fabio Cannavaro (132)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Luigi Riva (35)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
The Italians place in world football is locked as one of the Top 3 nations in history. The 4-Time Champions haven't missed out on a World Cup since Sweden 1958 and they were 1st team to repeat as World Cup champions with titles in 1934 & 1938. Italy has appeared in 6 WC final matches and have the 3rd most World Cup match victories all-time. Italy's greatness has been homegrown with its players working in the top division of Italian football known as the Serie A and the national team has never had a non-Italian coach.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Italy's player to watch has been compared to World Cup winner of Italy's past. He is Claudio Marchisio.
(Photo FIGC-Andrea Staccioli)
The Juventus FC player also known as "Il Principino" aka The Little Prince is Italy's most versatile midfielder and has been compared to 1982 World Cup winner, Marco Tardelli. Marchisio will be looked upon by coach Marcelo Lippi as Italy's main playmaker, an important role since veteran playmaker Francesco Totti has been out of the national team picture for a long time.

OUTLOOK:
The Azzurri will always be a favorite to win the trophy. Under Marcelo Lippi, Italy plays a complete brand of team football with an emphasis on defense. Italians will be nearly impenetrable defensively and efficient offensively, anything less than a quarterfinal would be a failure.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 14 vs. Paraguay
June 20 vs. New Zealand
June 24 vs. Slovakia

Group F Breakdowns continue with the Kiwis.

Italy - WC Team Breakdown