IT WAS all about the Azurri when the Royal Mail launched its World Cup stamps in Hampshire thanks to a passionate Italian postman.

Antonio Vetere, 44, is proud to be supporting his home nation Italy at the forthcoming finals in Germany even though he was outnumbered by Royal Mail staff based at Southampton Mail Centre who are cheering on Sven-Goran Eriksson's England.

Antonio, of Bursledon, who will be flying out to Germany this week with thousands of other football fans, championed his team during the launch of the latest set of Royal Mail stamps which celebrate the World Cup.

He said: "I don't mind being the only Italian among the English. I get the usual banter and ribbing but it is a lot better than a few years ago when I put the Italian flag on my car.

"I think the Italians have got a good chance of winning. I am only going to one game but it is better than nothing."

The stamps mark 40 years since England lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy. Royal Mail is issuing six stamps featuring all winning nations since 1966 England, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany and France.

Each stamp commemorates football from a World Cup winning nation, with the country's strip on a player alongside the nation's flag, plus the year when that team held the trophy aloft. The ball on each stamp is represented by a globe.