Numero Quatro - Azzurri Campione 2006

WOOHHOOOO!! ITALIA! ITALIA! ITALIA! Surprisingly, it was quiet in the early hours here. Just the day before, Germany had routed Portugal to a 3-1 score. Bastian Schweinsteiger was a one man show. Two great long-distance goals and one free-kick that resulted into an own goal. Now, that's some drama! And not to forget, the biggest drama was yet to unfold.

Italy vs. France. These two countries are very well known for their passions and emotions. Every word and every movements they make in their normal lives are depicted in their body language and their excessive gestures involving hands, mouths, and eyes. And yes, the drama started early in the game. For no reason at all, Malouda came into the box and with the slightest of touch from Materazzi, he fell and the ref (I haven't even begun with the ref) pointed to the spot. Zidane stood two steps away from the penalty spot before daringly chipping the ball. Luckily for him, the ball spin with such force against the under side of the top post like in the mangas/comics that it spun past the line and out again. With naked eyes, you can't see for sure if it's a goal but the linesman confirmed the goal and the ref gave the goal to France. Man and it's only 6 minutes at the start of the World Cup final held in a beautiful and majestic Berlin stadium. However, with Cannavaro and Buffon in goal, the Italian defence seem unbreakable as they were tight and blocked every shot and attempt on goals that the French could muster.

The match started brightly for Italy and they dominated the ball. Less than a minute and Henry was almost out cold with an incidental brush to the elbow by Cannavaro. Yet, they were unlucky to be trailing so early in the game. The good news is that there's time to catch up and of course win the game by the way they're playing. Indeed, with the corner swung in by Pirlo, Materazzi who conceded the penalty jumped higher than Vieira and drilled the header past Barthez with such force that it made Barthez look so bad. So, we're tied up now. No less than 5 minutes later, Pirlo again swung another corner and met by Luca Toni but it hit the bar, again with Barthez so badly beaten. Ahhh....and I can sense the Italian victory tonight. But in second half, France dominated and the Italians lost their edge. It wasn't helped that Italy took out Totti, and although he didn't really made any impact, the replacements didn't made any either. I would rather put in Gilardino instead of Iaquinta. Then, out of a sudden, Pirlo swung a free kick from the left side of the field which was met by Luca Toni and went past Barthez! The Italians were already celebrating, but there was a party-popper. The yellow flag was raised and the Italians protested for a while for the offside call. Man...and I thought they scored for sure this time. (I bet big time on Italy winning in full time.) Pirlo also had a close chance with his free kick. He aimed low at the near post and it beat Barthez, but not the post and the touchline. So....after 90 minutes...no side were able to make any difference. The game started brightly but faded after the two goals were scored.

Extra time. This is where the drama went even more teeth-wrenching. With 10 minutes to go and penalty shoot-out inevitable, something happened. Buffon came out of his goal-area and confronted the ref and stood by Materazzi who was grimacing on the turf. Buffon was clearly angry and was arguing with Zidane. After replay, then I found out what happened. Remember 8 years ago in the World Cup Finals against Brazil? Zidane came back from his red-card suspension to score two great headers that propelled France to the world champion status and him being a great player. Even Adidas printed the ad slogan, "We gave Zidane a pair of boots. He used his head." He used his head alright, but to strike at Materazzi's chest with such sheer force you can feel the sting just watching from the TV. At first, the ref didn't know what happened, and after consulting with the other ref, he gave Zidane a red card. We all knew that this is the final game for Zizou (his nickname) in any football game because he is retiring for good both in club and country, but we never had even imagined his last memory of his shining career (very much like the shine on his bald head) to end with a red card and a disappointing walk to the tunnel into the dressing room. And that ends his career as one of the greatest footballer ever! To his consolation, he won the Golden Ball award for being the best player of the World Cup.







So, it goes to the penalty...Italy made all their five kicks ending with Grosso making his. He had made quite the impression in the playoff rounds with getting a penalty and scoring that beautiful goal to bring the team to the final. And he made the kick that sent Italy as the champs. Meanwhile, France were left to rue the miss by Trezeguet. Either he was trying to emulate Zizou as he was already sent off and almost simulated Zizou's penalty earlier in the game or he was just unlucky as he had been throughout the whole World Cup 2006 campaign for France. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the top bar and not past the line. The only miss, and the one that mattered most as France came second. Italy triumphant and also jubilant! They danced and they bumped people around. Then came the one candid moment. There was a reason that Camoranesi kept his hair that long, and I guess this is the reason why. He was seated on the chair surrounded by all his teammates and staff, and then I saw a scissor. Now...the rest I guess you can guess it. I think it was Materazzi who was the executor as he pulled away the band that kept his hair tied like a samurai, and then snip snip and hair is gone!! And they celebrated like a cult! Hahaha....

Although I was glad Italy won as I was always in full support of the blues since dunno when, but I had to be really disappointed that they can only muster the win from the spot kicks. Otherwise, the Man of the Match performance by Pirlo was fully deserved, and the defence commanded by Cannavaro by his presence, his glaring headers, perfectly timed tackles and his great read of the game, there is not another generation of this kind of superb defending culture. Zambrotta started as a left full-back and converted to the right, and he was good at both ends! He attacks as well as he defends and he adds a totally different perspective to the Italian attacking game! Grosso is also equally comparable on that left wing. To think that Italy is being hit by the scandal and most of the Italy team is anchored by players of the clubs involved. Imagine, a defence made up of Juventus and Milan players: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro (Juventus), and Nesta(Milan) and the midfield controlled by Camoranesi (Juventus) , Gattuso, and Pirlo (Milan), and in attack Alex Del Piero (Juventus), and Toni (Fiorentina). Ahh....and to think you might not see them in Serie A next season. But they are immortalized as the best team with nominations of a few players in the team of the tournament namely, Buffon (awarded Lev Yashing award as the best keeper in the tournament and Golden Ball nominee), Cannavaro (nominee for Golden Ball award), Zambrotta (can be included as both best left and right back), Gattuso and Pirlo (also Golden Ball nominee).

But we will find out in the matter of days as the verdict will be out on the outcome of the scandal. Maybe they will spend a year without fame, glory, and comfort, and trade it with Serie B or even C, out of Champions League and even the prospect of the past titles being stripped away from them. No matter, because it's time to celebrate. Cannavaro lifting the trophy is very fitting, and lest we forget, Lippi with his cigar and kissing the trophy as what is again the best team in the world right now!

FORZA AZZURRI!! FORZA ITALIA! VIVA ITALIA!
CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE! CAMPIONE!
NUMERO QUATRO!!