Intro:

Italy trained and looked ahead on Saturday (9 June) to their Euro 2012 Group C opening game against Spain at the PGE Arena in Gdansk on Sunday (10 June).

Script:

Italy go into their Euro 2012 opener against Spain in uneasy circumstances.

Three consecutive defeats in the build-up to the tournament and a domestic match-fixing scandal have tested the depth of fans' faith, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon attempted to lift the sense of gloom.

Buffon, who has been Italy's preferred last line of defence for more than 10 years, said far from wallowing in gloom, the squad could thrive in adversity and cause a shock on Sunday.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Gianluigi Buffon, Italy captain: (should Spain be fearful of facing Italy?)

"I don't think that Spain have to fear Italy, of course this is a really strong team, they cannot fear anyone. They will respect us, you have to respect all your opponents in football, most of the time the strongest win, but sometimes those who fight the most can win so we can have some hope about this game."

After the Azzuri take on the reigning World and European Champions, the Republic of Ireland face Croatia in the other Group C game.