Italy to train in quake-hit zone in Emilia-Romagna

Italy will train in the small town of Medolla next month as a tribute to the Emilia-Romagna region that was hit by back-to-back earthquakes earlier this year.

The session has been scheduled for Sunday Sept. 9, two days before Italy faces Malta in a World Cup qualifier in nearby Modena, with the match also a tribute to the 24 people killed in the quakes.

The region north of Bologna was struck by a 6.0-magnitude quake May 20 and another of 5.8-magnitude on May 29. The quakes dealt a blow in particular to the region's famed Parmesan cheese makers.

On the day of the second quake, Italy was scheduled to play Luxembourg in a friendly in Parma, which is also in the quake region. The match was canceled.