Lippi spices up Italy mix

it was painted with the wide openness so enchanting to the neutrals. That 'it' was Group 7 of European Zone qualifying to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, a pool which kicked off with Austria, France, Romania and Serbia cast as its genuine contenders to advance on to the grandest stage in international football.

The consensus was that this candidacy did not involve Lithuania. Maximum points from two games later, however, the challenge of Jose Courceiro's side is certainly being taken seriously.

Tomas Danilevicius has played an indispensable role in this success, bullying the Romanian defence throughout Lithuania's stunning 3-0 win in Cluj, and then masterfully scoring both goals in a 2-0 reverse of Austria.