Italy on way to World Cup finals

Italy will become the first country to qualify from Europe for the 2002 World Cup finals if they beat Lithuania tomorrow night.

The three-times winners of the World Cup will go for the win in Kaunas knowing that if they achieve their target coach Giovanni Trapattoni can then start to think of next summer.

Italy are regarded as one of the favourites for the title next summer - if a European side can beat history and win in Asia - and 'Trap' has taken his charges to seven wins in nine games so far.

Francesco Totti and Vincenzo Montella are both injured and may not start although Totti can have a late fitness test to keep Perugia's emerging star Fabio Liverani out of the starting line-up.

The visitors must tame talented striker Edgaras Jankauskas but it is hard to see the home team doing much other than defending.

Trapattoni uses 4-3-1-2 to great effect with Totti especially given a lot of freedom behind the attack and in front of the midfield. If he plays then the AS Roma captain can lead the way to the 2002 finals and even if he is missing other stars such as Vieri or Del Piero to step forward and use their match-winning skill. Italians expect nothing less.

Spain will be one win away from the finals if they can beat Austria in Vienna tomorrow night while Poland are on the brink as they host Norway in Chorzov.

Holland must win in Ireland to stand any chance of beating the Irish or Portugal to the places that matter in group two.

A win for Russia in Ljubljana against Slovenia will almost certainly see them qualify for the finals.