The Azzurri yesterday night joined Holland as the only European sides to have so far booked their ticket to next year&rsquo;s tournament in Brazil. <img alt="Mario Balotelli" src="http://images.mid-day.com/2013/sep/Mario-Balotelli.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 556px;" /> Mario Balotelli Cesare Prandelli&rsquo;s side beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin, courtesy of a Balotelli penalty, to qualify with two games to spare. &ldquo;I think we will be among the favourites (in the World Cup),&rdquo; Balotelli told Gazzetta dello Sport. &ldquo;There are still one or two teams that are above us, but they should fear us, not the other way round.&rdquo; The four-time World Champions have qualified in style. Italy remain unbeaten in Group B and are seven points clear of nearest rivals Bulgaria, who beat Malta 2-1. Key results &gt; Italy 2 (Chiellini, Balotelli) bt Czech Republic 1 (Kozak) &gt; Sweden 1 (Ibrahimovic) bt Kazakhstan 0 &gt; Germany 3 (Mertesacker, Ozil, Mueller) bt Faroe Islands 0 &gt; Netherlands 2 (Van Persie 2) bt Andorra 0 &gt; Ukraine 0 drew with England 0 &gt; France 4 (Ribery 2, Nasri, Pogba) bt Belarus 2 (Filipenko, Kalachev) &gt; Uruguay 2 (Cavani, Stuani) bt Colombia 0 &gt; Argentina 5 (Messi 2, Aguero, Di Maria, Rodriguez) bt Paraguay 2 (Nunez, Santa Cruz) u00a0

Italy striker Mario Balotelli believes his side has the quality to go far at the 2014 World Cup.

Italy are among 2014 favourites: Mario Balotelli

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Italy are among 2014 favourites: Mario Balotelli

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