FIFA World Cup 2006 - Italy in the Finals

Fifa World Cup 2006 - Semi-Finals

Italy stun Germany in a brilliant match

Germany 0 - 2 Italy (Extra Time)

The hosts were brimming with new found confidence, exceeding expectations always does that. Italy, arrived in Germany mired in the clouds of corruption, but rediscovered the fires in their match against Ukraine. The schedule meant that the match would be played in the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund where Germany have never lost a game. On the other hand, Italy never lost a big tournament game to Germany, including the World Cup. The stage was set for a classic encounter and Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Chancellor Angela Merkel took seats next to each other to witness the action.

Jurgen Klinsmann has redefined this German team from the traditional defensive, precision driven team into a creative, free flowing side. They have attacked relentlessly, with Michael Ballack providing fabulous service to Podolski and Klose. Italy have floundered through their group encounters, before scraping past Australia in the round of 16. It was only against Ukraine that they came into being, as a team capable of leaving a mark on this tournament.

The Italian team has shown remarkable spirit and resilience in working as a team, even as the clouds of corruption are gathering around them. They received a pre-match boost as FIFA suspended Torsten Frings after receiving footage from Italian television, depicting his role in the melee that transpired between the Argentine and German players after the quarterfinals. Klinsmann opted to bring in Tim Borowski and Sebastian Kehl in place of Frings and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Both the teams sought hard to deliver the opening blow, there was plenty of action and opportunities at the goal. Ballack ran on to the edge of the box, but was denied by the referee as his ball glanced the arm of Andrea Pirlo in the box. Almost immediately, Francesco Totti set up Simone Perrotta only for him to return empty footed, as a diving Lehmann nestled the ball in a tight embrace.

The best chance though belonged to the Germans. In a fluid build up to goal, Podolski and Klose combined well to deliver a through ball to Bernd Schneider, who with space to spare over shot the goal. Klinsmann was animated in expressing his disappointment at the touch line. At one point, Klose raced through the Italian defense, only to find that Gianluigi Buffon was harder to beat. The minutes ticked away as Italy lost spark, but Germany despite the arrival of Odonkor and Schweinsteiger could not find the final punch.

Germany is a fearless unit, at its best when asked to deliver from 12 yards, even with Buffon facing the ball. It is probably this fear that drove Italy into heated action at the start of extra time. The Italians hit the crossbar twice in succession, as Gilardino at first and Zambrotta next found their efforts rattle the wood work. Neither side looked keen on penalties as they pressed forward in numbers, a refreshing change from the earlier affairs between Germany - Argentina and England - Portugal. A normally defensive Italian team had Marcello Lippi bring on attacking substitutions, as they ended the game with four strikers.

Germany could have dealt a defining blow, had Podolski not failed to control his header in front of the goal. He also drew out a terrific save from Buffon, just minutes later. As the vastly partisan crowd and their team started to prepare for the lottery that lay ahead, an Andrea Pirlo shot forces a save from Lehmann. Corner to Italy. It is Pirlo again, as his pass found Fabio Grosso on the right who shot a curling ball past a diving Lehmann. Fantastic goal and with just two minutes to go, that was a shot that wrenched the German guts. There was no time and Klinsmann threw everything forward in search of a desperate equaliser. The Italians added insult to misery as Gilardino played into Alessandro Del Piero whose powerful shot found the top of the net.

The Germans mourned as the Italians lost themselves in delirium. There were tears, as Ballack and the fans wept inconsolably, but they will all wake up tomorrow proud of their team and most importantly their national identity. Italy can look forward to the finals as a means of insulating themselves from their trials at home, the prosecution though is unmindful of their glory.