Thursday, November 15, 2007

In Italy, the number 17 is considered unlucky. Some Alitalia planes have no row 17, some Italian hotels have no room 17 and in Roman numerals XVII is an anagram of VIXI which translates into "I have lived" with the implication "my life is over" or "I am dead".

Italy play Scotland in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday, 17 November with kick-off at 1700 GMT - for the record, Italy have won four of their 11 matches played on the 17th of a month in the last 30 years.

Former England defender Paul Parker says it would be a major bonus for English football if they don't qualify for Euro 2008.However, the economy stands to lose a staggering £1bn in extra revenue if Steve McClaren's side fail to make it to Austria and Switzerland. Around 1,000 England fans are expected to be in the stadium to watch Israel's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia in Tel Aviv on Saturday.