ITTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, horrors of USA 94 have been buried in style. How ironic they lost in 94 on penalties and they won it here on penalties.

Penalty Shootout Dejavu

Its USA 94 dejavu for Italy , penalty shootout again. Italians must be thinking why why oh why.

Drama in Berlin

Zinedine Zidane has been sent off, he was shown headbutting Marco Materazzi in a very aggressive manner and has been rightly senf off. We are heading for the penalty shoot out, horrors of 94 return. Unless one team can score a dramatic goal.

Extra time in Berlin

So its extra time in Berlin, will the penalties decide the fate again or will again someone be the late hero?

Explosive Start

And an explosive start to the final, just what we wanted. France going ahead in just seven minutes with a controversial penalty cheekily taken by Zidane. But it was Marco Materazzi who conceded the penalty equalized for the Italians with a thunderous header. Luca Toni came close to give Italians the lead when his header hit the cross bar. Both teams are playing a very flowing football with Italians slightly on top but there is hardly anything between them.

PS: Its half time in Berlin

Grand Finale

So here it is, the day we have been all waiting for The Grand Finale. Everything comes down to this, all the preparations, strategies, trainings, sweat, exhaustion, blood and prayers. For one nation it is a chance after twelve years and for another it has been a wait of eight. Though Italy failed to win any tournament in between, France did manage and guess what it was against the Italians.

Azzurri will be looking to avenge two defeats one in France 98 at Quarterfinals and one in Euro 2000 final. But if we look closely to this world cup, hardly any team was able to change the tide. The teams which have been dominant on their oppositions previously have continued the trend. France against Brazil, France against Portugal, again France against Spain, Italy against Germany, Germany against Argentina and Portugal vs. England all these duels show that the dominant sides came out victorious. So based on this, things don’t look good for the Italians, though they look a stronger side but then France has been nullifying all the stronger sides, most notably Brazil.

But past records do not help much in final, it will be battle of nerves, battle of will, battle of skills. Both sides have rock solid defense, some hard fighting and creative midfields with instinctive attack. Either it will be one hell of a match or one sleeping pill.

One thing for Italians so far they haven’t found anyone who is the clear cut scorer for them eleven goals by ten different players which equals the record, ironically of France.

Sad thing Nesta will miss it again, he has this misfortune of missing out on world cup matches with injuries and in all previous occasions Italians have lost that match.

Ok little about last match, Germany for me deservedly won the bronze medal. And there were some very emotional scenes after the match like Figo embracing Kahn, Klinsmann and Felipe hugging and sharing a joke or two. Kahn and Figo saluting the crowd. Great to see both team players congratulating each other.

Schweinsteigeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Every shot he is hitting is turning into gold, first a thunderous drive saw Germany took the lead beating Ricardo who looked unbeatable before this incident. Then his free kick was driven inside by Petit for own goal and ohhhhhhhhh just now he scores a very identical to his first one which thudded into the net. Three nil Germany and its Schweinsteiger Night. What a game he was having.

But not to forget efforts of Oliver Kahn, the old man is having match of his life and proving his worth. Ohh he is just beaten by Nuno Gomes who dived onto the perfect cross from Luis Figo. Its 3-1 for Germany.

Farewell to hosts

So will the roles swap? In Italia 90 it was West Germany who won the cup and Italians had to settle for bronze. This time it is Germany who are the host and they are playing for bronze. Will they recover from the semifinal heartbreak? Will they overcome a team which wants its most valuable player ending his farewell match on a high note? That remains to be seen. But looking at the performances so far Germany are the favorites, they are themselves their biggest obstacle and I am sure there will be no shortage of crowd support. In a way it will do justice to the host nation. They were fabulous during the whole tourney and organized out a marvelous Cup. A bronze medal will make them more proud. But football is not about emotions they will have to battle it hard against Portugal who will make it as tough as possible for the host. So sit back and look forward for a fascinating contest, I am just hoping of a cracker of a game.

AAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIi

It was the perfect Italian job, AZZZZZZZZZZZZUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIII are throughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, 2 minutes to go for penalties and they scored not one but two.

Its party in Rome, its party in Milan, its party in Turin and its party in Al-Ain. Twelve years of wait is over. Berlin here we come.

Italians dont want penalties

Seems like Lippi doesnt want to go into penalties, two attacking substitutions with Del Piero and Iaquinta both on into the field.

Unlucky Italians

Oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo two hit-posts in two minutes by Italians, They are so unlucky :(

Extra time in Dortmund

So match has entered into extra time with Germany ending on top and Italians looking bit tired.

Germany on top in second half

Its Germans who have started second half a lot better and Italians have come back to their habit of losing ball with wayward long balls or unimaginative thinking. Germany definitely on top now.

Germany on top in second half

Its Germans who have started second half a lot better and Italians have come back to their habit of losing ball with wayward long balls or unimaginative thinking. Germany definitely on top now.

Germany on top in second half

Its Germans who have started second half a lot better and Italians have come back to their habit of losing ball with wayward long balls or unimaginative thinking. Germany definitely on top now.

Wonderful start to the first semi

It has been one fierce match so far with both teams playing some fascinating football. But it is Italians who are on top at the end of first half. They are playing some exhilarating football and as I said before are controlling the midfield very well, though occasionally giving ball away with Pirlo’s mistake almost costing them the Goal. So what will happen in second half just wait and watch, match can go anywhere. It is one on knife’s edge so far.

Battle of Last Four

So it has come down to last four and whosever day it is will decide who will be present in Berlin on July the Ninth. How well or bad the teams have played will matter no more, the only thing which matters now is how they absorb this pressure and hold their nerves. It is a match between one of the best midfields in the tournament vs. one of the best defense and its ironic both units are missing one of their key players. Italy’s Alessandro Nesta hasn’t recovered from his groin injury and Germany’s midfield star Torsten Frings has been handed over two-match suspension after a video evidence showed that he punched Argentinean forward Cruz after their Quarter final win.

War of words have already began between the two camps, started with Germany’s newspaper calling Italians lazy and then Italians players showing their disappointment over it. Then in latest episode with Frings suspension it has been alleged that Italian FA was the one who provided FIFA with the evidence. So its all heating up.

Tactics wise I believe Germany will look to attack from the flanks. I am assuming they will start aggressively and will try to put Italians under pressure. That will make Italians nervous and if Germany succeeds in getting an early lead Italians will be under loads of pressure.

For Italians they should try winning battle in midfield and make Germans work hard for possession. Italians must know home crowd can easily turn into a disadvantage and they should try to slow down pace of the game and frustrate Germany initially and then up the tempo.

Though my heart is with Azzurri but I know Germany has a huge chance to advance. So lets sit and enjoy whatever unfolds in Dortmund.

Henrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

It’s the Arsenal man, it’s the French hero, Its Thierry Henry. Brazil are one down and match has simply exploded.

Goodbye England

And once again it was the shoot out and once again it was Portugal, England run of bad luck in shoot outs continue. They promised a lot, delivered a little and I wonder how many would be back on the world scene in four years time. There were tears in the eyes of Terry and Ferdinand but it was really the big guns who failed them.

Penalties again the decider

So it is all over, faith of England and Portugal will be decided on penalty shoot outs. Nail biting time begins.

Injustice to English Fans

So its 0-0 in normal time in Gelsenkirchen and in the end we witnessed some electrifying football from both sides trying to get a goal. But no one succeeded. But biggest drama of all Wayne Rooney the prince of England turned into a villain when he first fouled Ricardo Carvalho and then pushed Cristiano Ronaldo right in front of referee how crazy one can get (btw Rooney can, it has happened in past and it has happened again). But one wonders how could one resort to such stupidity? You know when you got injured whole nation sweated for your recovery, they just wanted to see you play. Your manager fought all the way with your club management to have you in the team, fans prayed for you and you just let them down, very cruel indeed.

Italy Through

A clinical performance and we are through :D. After 94 Quarterfinal win over Spain where Roberto Baggio’s moment of magic got us through, Azzurri are back in semis. A very respectable place considering the problems they are having back home and the more they progress more it resembles the feat of 82.

Once again defense held firm even when Nesta and Materazzi were not playing just goes to show the depth in defense. But it was great to see Luca Toni finally among the goals, the striker ending his barren run in the cup. This formation looks very settled though they were losing too many passes in midfield (something Lippi must work on) but at least it gives them more hold in midfield. Another positive point was that they didn’t pick any yellow cards so no suspensions going into semis and only way anyone would miss out on the final (if they go through that is) if they take on an injury or get red carded.

For Ukraine, it was a dream run, first timers into the tourney and after a 4-0 thrashing at the hand of Spain it was a great run. Shevchenko was their star and they have made their fans proud.

In the end it was great to see Milan mates consoling and congratulating each other, something which was very noticeable in this tourney. Players of different nations but same leagues wishing each other before and after the match, good spirit :).

PS: read the post below , written by a kewl dude.

Toooooooonnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Finally Fiorentina man has broken his deadlock and has given Italians a two nil lead but they should be thankful to their Goalkeeper Buffon who kept them in the game. Ukraine have started second half quite strongly but they have been unlucky too.

ohhhh a post for Ukraine, nothing going their way.

Italy holding on

Italy have been able to maintain the lead but they were once again untidy in midfield losing possession at important moments , giving away bad passes and just breaking the momentum. Although they are playing a very pressing game but losing ball isn’t doing any good for the Azzurri cause. They will have to be more precise with passes if they want to win it comfortably, One nil is never a good lead specially when you have a third choice central defender playing, Italians need one more goal and quick.

Hosts Prevail

Cruel way to go out for Argentina, second half was just too great but the turning point was the injury to Roberto Abbondanzieri and after that game changed completely. Though I feel sorry for Franco Leonardo he was thrown in deep end and poor guy didn’t come out well. But one thing I failed to understand when you have Messi and Saviola on bench why would you send Cruz in, a totally defensive tactic which back fired. One nil is never really a lead and Pekerman of all people should know that. Messi would have been so beneficial in counter attacks with his pace. But world failed to see his talents and that is real sad.

For Germany they have a great chance to reach the finals, they played good football today and keeping faith on his strikers paid off for Klinsmann. Though they were lucky not to concede a penalty in late second half.

Expulsion: “Cufre Leandro (ARG) 120'” Whats this ??

There was this brawl at the end of the match which I missed, anyone got details of it?

First Blood Azzurri

Gianluca ZAMBROTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, what a run and what strike. One nil Azzurri.