Overall record at finals: Played 27, Won 11, Drawn 12, Lost 4

Best performance: Winners in 1968

Most appearances at finals: Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Del Piero - 13

Most goals at finals: Antonio Cassano, Pierluigi Casiraghi, Filippo Inzaghi, Francesco Totti - 2

European Championship high: The Italians won the European Championships back in 1968 when they hosted. Facing Yugoslavia in the final, their first meeting ended in a stalemate but the Azzurri triumphed 2-0 in the replay to claim glory.

European Championship low: At Euro 2004, Italy failed to qualify from what appeared to be, on paper, a routine group. Drawn alongside Sweden, Denmark and Bulgaria, the Italians won one game and scored just three goals, failing to reach the knockout phase.

European Championship legend: Paolo Maldini. The composed center back is tied for most appearances for Italy at Euro finals and is regarded as one of the game's finest defenders ever. At Euro 2000, Maldini was named to the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

The story so far: Italy first competed at a European Championship finals in 1964, reaching the last 16. Four years later it claimed glory on its own soil, but since that triumph it has struggled to perform on the continental stage. After a succession of disappointments, Italy booked its place in another final in 2000, meeting France in Rotterdam. But the match ended in heartbreak for the Azzurri when David Trezeguet scored a golden goal.

Qualification: Italy enjoyed an impressive qualification campaign, going unbeaten in Group C (conceding just twice in ten games) and claiming top spot. Highlights included a 5-0 thumping of Faroe Islands and a 3-0 scalp of Estonia, both of which came at home. Riccardo Montolivo was its most creative spark with three assists, and Antonio Cassano demonstrated his quality in front of goal with six strikes. Cassano underwent heart surgery in November, but Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli is hopeful he will be available this summer.

Qualifying record: P10, W8, D2, L0, F20, A2, Pts 26

Most appearances: Giorgio Chiellini, Antonio Cassano (10)

Top goalscorer: Antonio Cassano (6)