Italian Economy Needs World Cup Boost

Economists at the Dutch bank ABN AMRO have come out with a report that says of all the European teams in the World Cup, Italy is the one with the economy that would most benefit from a World Cup victory. A World Cup championship would not only fuel Italy’s moribund economy through increased sales of booze and souvenir items, but it would also help the Italians feel better about themselves, boosting consumer confidence. This report is in stark contrast to the secret one sitting in FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s desk entitled: “How we will make sure Brazil is champion again.”