UEFA Euro, Scotland - Italy Match

The postman was eagerly awaited in Barga this morning by some Barga residents who have been anxiously listening for his knock on the door. 

They have all ordered tickets via Internet, for the football match this Saturday in Scotland. - the UEFA Euro qualifying match Scotland versus Italy will be played in Hampden Park in Glasgow this weekend.

A sizeable group of Barghiagiani should be in the crowd roaring on the Italian side including the Mayor of Barga, Umberto Sereni. A courier service delivered many tickets to Aristo's bar in Barga Vecchia, from there they were distributed around the city to the other waiting fans.

Paolo Nutini isn't letting his Italian roots get in the way of backing Scotland to beat the Azzurri on Saturday. - John Dingwall - Daily Record

In fact, the football-daft singer is convinced Scottish football is now so good that not only can we reach the Euro 2008 finals, we can face anyone on the international stage and win.

Paolo, 20, said: "We don't need to fear anyone anymore. If Brazil came to Hampden tomorrow, they'd face a hard team to break down.

"Not so long ago, we'd have dreaded that fixture. Now we've come so far in footballing terms, we would welcome it and be confident about our chances.

"It's only going to get better for Scottish football."

Paolo's ancestors emigrated from the Italian town of Barga 100 years ago.

But while he admits having a soft spot for Italy, he insisted there will be no question of divided loyalty when he joins the Tartan Army at Hampden.

He said: "For me, it is just another game that Scotland have to win, even though my family are Italians.

"I will be jumping around, making a noise to support the boys.

"The Hampden roar will give us the edge. It is intimidating."

Paolo has just completed a mammoth tour of the US, which meant he struggled to catch some of Scotlands recent games.

He said: "We would try to persuade barmen to keep their bars open so we could watch the match.

"For the Scotland v Lithuania game, a barman said he would keep the place open a little longer provided the band and crew bought enough drink. There were eight of us - he got more than he bargained for."

Paolo joked that he spends so much time playing the football management computer games, he is now such an expert that he would be happy to offer Scotland boss Alex McLeish advice.

He said: "I play the Football Manager game so I can get right into it.

"The movement in our squad is so fluid it can strike a bit of fear into the opposition, even if it is France or Italy.

"McFadden is so fast and mobile. You always want a natural finisher, that man who maybe doesn't reach every ball but when he does get the ball at his feet, he can take the man on and put it in the net.

"If Scott Brown and Barry Ferguson can compliment each other in the midfield, that smart ball and the final finish could be crucial."

Paolo added: "Every Scotland fan knows there has been a shift up in gear for this campaign. It has been amazing.

"Italy are solid as a rock at the back. Whether they are entirely clean is another thing.

"It will be a battle of the defences."

As for a prediction of the final score on Saturday, Paolo said: "I think we need to get the first goal, so that Italy open up and come towards Scotland.

"If they score first, they'll resort to a nine-man defence.

"I think it will be 2-1 to Scotland. Then the celebrations can begin."

But the reward for a Scots victory would be a lot more than just a big party.

Experts yesterday said it could be worth more than £100million to the economy, with high street sales soaring by £66million and pub takings by £34million. The figure would rise to £150million if Scotland made it past the group stages at the finals.

A report by business consultancy the Centre for Economic and Business Research said qualification would see spending soar on items such as football shirts, saltire flags and big-screen TVs.

Leigh Sparks, professor of Retail Studies at Stirling University said: "Sport has an emotional element and the emotion of victory for a small nation over bigger teams creates a real sense of celebration and triumph, which can create an enormous boost for retailers."

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