Group C: Sometime in 1497, the explorer Vasco da Gama set out from the harbour of Belem, currently Italy's training base for Euro 2004, just six kilometres down the road from Lisbon. The great man returned with a modest cargo of pepper which proved worth its weight in gold 10 times over since it opened up a whole new trade route.
When Giovanni Trapattoni and his men set out this evening for their opening game against Denmark in the Northern city of Guimaraes, the stakes may not be quite as high but, in its modest way, the journey is certain to be intense, arduous and not without the odd storm along the way.
After a last-gasp defeat in the Euro 2000 final and an ignominious early exit at the 2002 World Cup, Italy come into this tournament hoping to return with a trophy that too will prove worth its weight in gold.
All the indications are that, despite a fortnight of intense media probing and cajoling, Italian coach Trapattoni will start with the side that qualified for these finals. The Italo-Argentine Mauro Camoranesi on the right, Alessandro Del Piero on the left and Cristiano Zanetti in the centre of midfield all look likely to start, even though the Serie A form book would argue that, respectively, Stefano Fiore, Antonio Cassano and Gennaro Gattuso represent better bets just at the moment.
Italy will hope that Trapattoni has called it right, because Denmark are unlikely to offer a soft passage. Notwithstanding the absence of winger Jesper Gronkjaer and midfielder Thomas Gravesen, Denmark's outstanding coach, Morten Olsen, was making optimistic noises yesterday: "Italy deserve to be favourites but, having said that, we are a good team and on our day we are capable of beating anyone."
The Danes come into this tournament not only full of confidence but also, like Italy, motivated by the feeling that they failed to perform to their best when eliminated by England at the 2002 World Cup, after an impressive first round in which they had seen off France, no less.
It will also suit them admirably that they are under much less pressure than Italy.
With AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson leading the Danish attack, flanked by Udinese's Martin Jorgensen and PSV Eindhoven's Dennis Rommendahl, the Danes are not short of either pace or class up front. Inter Milan defender Thomas Helveg will step in for Gravesen in midfield with Kaspar Bogelund replacing Helveg in defence.
For all the undoubted competitive qualities of Denmark, however, if Italy are to win this tournament they will have to be capable of seeing off even as useful a side as this. In this context, much will depend on the all-star attacking trio of Francesco Totti, Del Piero and Christian Vieri.
On their day, this trio are simply among the best in the world. Today, against a Danish side rich in Serie A experience, they will have to work hard to find the space in which to inflict damage.
Throughout the last few days in Belem, Italian player after player has assured us that the mood in the camp is one of tranquil harmony, notwithstanding any number of media attempts to highlight potential rivalries and jealousies.
The most recent man to sound the battle cry for Italy was AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, who said yesterday: "That final defeat four years ago still hurts. And, amongst ourselves, we know that we did not perform well at the World Cup two years ago, leaving aside all talk about refereeing problems. For all those reasons, this time we want to go all the way and win."
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
DENMARK: Sorensen; Bogelund, Laursen, Henriksen, N Jensen; Rommendahl, Helveg, D Jensen, Jorgensen: Tomasson, Sand.
ITALY: Buffon; Panucci, Nesta, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Zanetti, Perrotta; Camoranesi, Totti, Del Piero; Vieri.
