Italy leave it too late
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Article summary
Italy 3-0 Poland Final-game victory comes too late for Antonio Rocca's side.
Article body
Turkish triumph
Turkey ran out clear victors in the section, winning all three games to finish with a commanding five-point advantage at the head of the standings. Italy finished on four points, level with Serbia and Montenegro but ahead by virtue of a superior goal difference.
Early advantage
Italy took the lead at the MOSIR Rybniku Miejski stadium in Rybnik in the tenth minute, defender Gianluca Freddi striking to give Rocca's team an early lead.
Second-half strikes
That advantage was doubled two minutes after half-time as midfield player Filippo Savi made it 2-0, and substitute Arturo Lupoli wrapped up the points with a third three minutes past the hour. The result left Poland adrift at the bottom of the section, Michal Globisz's side having lost all three games and conceded nine goals in the process.
