UEFA European Championships 2016 Preview: Italy

Gianluigi Buffon leads the 2006 World Cup champions into the 2016 UEFA European Championships in France. Getty

Gianluigi Buffon leads the 2006 World Cup champions into the 2016 UEFA European Championships in France. (Getty)

Italy is back in the spotlight in an international tournament, as they qualified for the 2016 European Championship as Group H winners. The Italians finished 7-3-0 and with 24 points to win their qualification group, their ninth straight time finishing a top their group qualification. Although the Italians rolled in qualification, only Graziano Pelle scored more than two times, as he led Italy with three goals in qualification.

One of the most decorated international teams, Italy has gone to the finals of the European Championship three times, winning in 1968. Italy had a strong 2012 European Championship run before finishing runners up to Spain in a 4-0 loss in Kiev. Italy finished third in their group in the 2014 World Cup, missing out on the knockout round with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay.