The Official Italy WC Thread (13 Viewers)

[baggio]

I want to go down on Cannvaro.



PS: Grosso, was total Tardelli. And Alex, well what can you say? It was about time the law of averages caught up. Man, this was way way emotional. Then again, I said it all along, Italy would have the measure of the Germans. One final every three world cups since 1970. That's pretty imptressive. Could this be the moment though? Could this be it?

 

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[Byrone]

I want to go down on Cannvaro.



PS: Grosso, was total Tardelli. And Alex, well what can you say? It was about time the law of averages caught up. Man, this was way way emotional. Then again, I said it all along, Italy would have the measure of the Germans. One final every three world cups since 1970. That's pretty imptressive. Could this be the moment though? Could this be it?

Im pretty sure he's flattered wherever he is

 

[Azzurri7]

Judge us now, says Materazzi Wednesday 5 July, 2006
Marco Materazzi believes Italy’s enthralling World Cup semi-final victory against Germany will have silenced the Azzurri’s many critics.

“I think that after this match a lot of people will have to change their preconceptions about Italian football,” said the defender who started in place of the injured Alessandro Nesta.

“Although some believe we’re a nation of cheats, simulators and time-wasters, we’ve proved in this competition that we play great football and are nothing like the clichés.”

Marcello Lippi’s men put in a performance to remember when they beat the hosts 2-0 with two wonderful late extra-time goals just when many were preparing themselves for penalties.

“The important thing was to win and we were willing to do anything to get there,” added the Inter stopper.

“Time was running out and we didn’t feel this match deserved to be decided on penalties, but thankfully we had the fortune and skill to win it.

“The pressure in that situation would’ve been incredible and I really was not looking forward to a shoot-out.”

The Azzurri were not only playing against 11 Germans on the field of play, but also the 60,000 home fans at the Westfalonstadion.

“We came together as a squad and ignored the 60,000 fans, listening only to the Italian voices,” he added. “To see what’s happening now back home with celebrations in the streets makes us very proud.”

Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero grabbed the goals which means that Italy have, amazingly, had 10 different goalscorers in the competition so far. Lippi has also used all of his outfield players.

“I think the entire squad works together,” underlined Matrix.

“It’s wonderful to see Gennaro Gattuso, with a yellow card hanging over his head, running for 120 minutes and tackling in every inch of the field. That’s why the defence is so strong – it’s teamwork.”

When asked whom he would like to face in the Final, Materazzi admitted that he wanted to run into Portugal and an Inter colleague.

“Personally, I’d like to face Luis Figo, but once you’re there friendships are put on a shelf for the duration,” he said. “He’s a champion both on and off the field and a very humble man.”

 

[Azzurri7]

Humble Gattuso gives all Wednesday 5 July, 2006
Gennaro Gattuso admits that he is no Diego Armando Maradona, but is proud of his contribution to the Italy side after they reached the World Cup Final last night.

The Milan midfielder put in another gutsy performance and was a key element in the Azzurri’s dramatic and deserved 2-0 win over Germany.

“People admire me for the hard work I put in, hardly for the classy play, but my idol has always been [former Napoli midfielder] Salvatore Bagni,” he stated.

“I am proud of my role in the team and what I have to do on the field. It’s all I can do,” he continued.

“It’s not as if you play a World Cup semi-final every day! It was a challenge to myself and a dream, but with age you acquire wisdom and I think that’s contributing to my game.”

The former Rangers ball-winner is obviously delighted to have booked his place in Sunday’s Berlin showdown, but he’s eager for all of the side’s hard work at Germany 2006 to not be wasted.

“I am very happy for this small step, but the Final is another matter and we hope to bring the trophy home,” he noted.

“Even if this win will remain in history, few remember who comes second, but we certainly made our mark.”

The Azzurri will face either Portugal or France who meet in the other semi-final this evening in Munich.

 

[Azzurri7]

We deserved Final, says Toni Wednesday 5 July, 2006
Luca Toni has admitted that he was unsure whether Italy were good enough to reach the World Cup Final, but insists they deserve to be there.

The Azzurri booked their Berlin date last night after beating hosts Germany 2-0 in an epic and the Fiorentina ace is overjoyed.

“We are in the Final and when we started perhaps even we didn’t expect to go this far,” he stated.

“We didn’t think there was a team better than us, but certainly ones as good as, and you need luck to reach any Final.

“But we’re here and did something incredible against Germany, proving this is an excellent squad, and now we hope to make this dream come true.”

Italy left it very late though as they only finally broke down Germany with a quick one-two, thanks to Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero, when penalties loomed.

“Germany are a tough squad, now my teammates and I really can’t wait for Sunday to roll around,” he added.

“It’s a dream come true. I’m also happy for Alessandro, who wanted to score so badly and managed it.

“It was a tough game, as Francesco Totti had to be in midfield to give us the advantage there, so I was a little more isolated than usual, but on the whole we played brilliantly.

“It was also good to see the fair play on the field in an intense match. I think it was a great game of football for anyone to watch.”

Italy’s real strength in this tournament seems to be their unity and the fact that boss Marcello Lippi seems to have faith in all of them.

As a result, he’s used all of the outfield players so far and 10 different Azzurri have scored in the competition.

“You need good players to win, but you also require people willing to make sacrifices and share the load,” underlined Toni.

“The substitutes are every bit as good as the starters and the strikers work more to set up their teammates than to go for glory.

“We have such a talented Coach who has been incredibly successful and everyone respects his decisions.”

 

[Azzurri7]

Gila expected Berlin date Wednesday 5 July, 2006
Alberto Gilardino insists he’s not surprised that Italy have reached the 2006 World Cup Final.

“We said before this adventure began that the Final was our objective and we got there with determination, humility, great character and some good football,” said the Milan man.

“We always believed in ourselves, as the team spirit is responsible for 80 per cent of this victory. All the strikers scored in this tournament and proved their worth when called upon.”

Gilardino started the game on the bench, but made an impact on the match by striking the post and then setting up Italy’s second goal for Alex Del Piero.

“It’s a shame my shot hit the post, but then the goals came and it didn’t matter anymore,” said the £17m man.

“As for the final strike, I was running at my man, but then heard Alex’s voice and rolled it across.”

Gilardino also praised boss Marcello Lippi for making each member of the side feel important by keeping his cards close to his chest.

“The Coach always keeps us on tenterhooks until the last minute to give us the line-up and that’s very important to keep everyone in the loop,” he assured.

 

[Italy girl!]

Argentine ref for Final
The World Cup Final between Italy and France will be refereed by Argentine Horacio Elizondo, FIFA have said.

The 42-year-old has pipped Germany’s Markus Merk and Lubos Michel of Slovakia for the whistle in Berlin on Sunday.

 

[Seven]

A South American in the final? We're so fucked.

 

[baggio]

It's almost like he's signalling #4.

 

[Eddy]

We can do this.

 

[HelterSkelter]

Italian focus has been unrivaled; a matter of necessity

By ANDREW DAMPF, AP Sports Writer
July 7, 2006




DUISBURG, Germany (AP) -- Italy's focus during this World Cup has been unrivaled, perhaps a necessity for players who don't know what's coming next.

No one has faced more uncertainty than Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero.

"I'm not thinking about the future right now, there's no reason to," Del Piero said. "The only future for me is Sunday."

Seeking its fourth title, Italy faces France in the World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday.

Sentences in a massive corruption scandal are expected a day later from a sports tribunal in Rome. Juventus faces the harshest penalties: relegation as far down as the third division and being stripped of its last two titles.

Del Piero has been with Juventus for 13 seasons and is the club's most popular player. He's not saying yet if he would stay in Turin if the team is relegated.

"Let's talk about that Monday," he said.

Against Germany in the semifinals, Del Piero came off the bench to score the second of Italy's two goals in the last minutes of an extra-time win. The goal was Del Piero's 27th in 78 matches for Italy, tying him with Roberto Baggio for fourth place on Italy's career list.

Del Piero said the goal was an answer to his critics, who have been targeting him since he took playing time away from Baggio in the 1998 World Cup. Lately, the wrap against Del Piero has been he's lost his speed and leg strength.

"They said I wasn't even half a player," Del Piero said Thursday. "I play with my head, my heart and my legs. It's not always easy to enter in the last 20 minutes, create three chances and score a goal."

Del Piero said France will have an advantage for the final because it's not under the same pressure as Italy.

"Because of what's happening to the clubs in Italy isn't happening in France," he said. "Because in France there's not this much media following the team. And unfortunately, because of the tragedy that has afflicted a teammate very close to me."

Former Juventus and Italy defender Gianluca Pessotto is in serious condition after falling out of a window at club headquarters, reportedly holding rosary beads.

Italy is hoping Pessotto's condition improves so he can watch the final on TV from his hospital room in Turin.

Italy has its full squad available except for defender Alessandro Nesta, who will miss the final with a thigh injury. Nesta has missed Italy's last three games.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi returns from a four-match ban for elbowing United States forward Brian McBride in the face during the first round, although he isn't expected to start.

The 1-1 draw with the Americans was Italy's only misstep in its six games. And the goal was an own-goal, the only one Italy has yielded.

France drew its opening two matches with Switzerland and South Korea.

"We've seen how France has improved as this World Cup has progressed, after the first two games below expectations," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said, also noting how France captain Zinedine Zidane has rediscovered his form.

"I think it will be a very even final between two teams that are even in terms of skill level."

The toughest facet of the game for Italy could be containing Zidane, who used to play under Lippi at Juventus.

Italy has faced Zidane's France in big games before and lost each time: in a penalty shootout in the 1998 World Cup quarterfinals and on a golden goal by David Trezeguet in the 2000 European Championship final.

Del Piero missed two clear scoring chances in the second half of the European final.

"No one suffered more than me in that match," Del Piero said. "But Sunday is a new game and a new battle."

 

[swag]

It's almost like he's signalling #4.

 

[Byrone]

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro has described his participation in this summer's World Cup final as a dream come true.

The Juventus defender, who has arguably been the player of the tournament, will win his 100th international cap against France to make the occasion even more poignant for the 32-year-old.

Cannavaro was a ball-boy at Italia 90 but now has the opportunity to write himself into Italian folklore by captaining the Azzurri to a fourth World Cup win.

"I was a ball-boy at the 1990 semi-final in Naples when Italy played against Argentina so to play in a World Cup final and earn my 100th cap as well is like a crowning dream," said Cannavaro.

Cannavaro believes Italy have silenced many of their pre-tournament critics who labelled Marcello Lippi's side as negative.

"We have shown that we are able to play good football and the other sides find it difficult when we defend as we have done in this tournament," added Cannavaro.

"Germany struggled and we finished the match with four forwards on the pitch - that was a strong signal from Lippi.

"Now it's the turn of Zidane and the French players."

 

[Byrone]

Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes Zinedine Zidane holds the key for France, as the pair prepare to go head-to-head in the World Cup final.

The veteran tactician and playmaker have both defied the odds and the critics to lead their teams to the last two at this summer's tournament.

France scraped through the group stages as runners-up, but have sparkled since, beating Portugal 1-0 to progress from the last four by virtue of a Zidane penalty.

Lippi's team meanwhile, gave a stellar display of their own as they knocked-out the hosts Germany in the semi-finals, and the boss has taken note of Sunday's opposition, earmarking the previously under-fire Frenchman as Les Bleus' catalyst.

"We have seen how France grew during the tournament," Lippi commented.

"After the first two matches were not good, quite difficult in fact, they found their way to their best form, thanks to their best player Zinedine Zidane.

"Anyway, I'm convinced it will be a really balanced final, between two teams who are evenly-matched. We will play for the cup."

Zizou has already announced that he will retire after the tournament, and with Lippi also expected to leave the Azzurri after the game, it will be a keenly fought contest to see who comes out on top in their swansong.

 

[mnementh]

why couldn't zidane be given a yellow in the semis like nedved in cl 2003 ?

 

[Seven]

He should have had one btw.

 

[sateeh]

some interesting statements from frings over his ban
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

German midfielder Torsten Frings has described Fifa's decision to suspend him for the World Cup semi-final as 'a joke'.

The Werder Bremen star missed the 2-0 defeat to Italy after being handed a one game ban following his role in the unseemly fracas against Argentina.

Television pictures appeared to show Frings hitting Julio Cruz in the fight that broke out following Germany's penalty shoot-out victory in the quarter final, and as a result Fifa slapped the midfielder with the suspension just 24 hours before the last four game against The Azzurri.

Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez and Leandro Cufre are still being investigated for their part in the fight, but Frings has now spoken of his disbelief at the decision from the governing body.

"I feel betrayed as it was not what I deserved," Frings told Bild.

"Fifa destroyed my dream. The suspension remains a joke.

"I was suspended for defending myself after I got hit twice and kicked once.

"Per Mertesacker got kicked, Bastian Schweinsteiger was hit, and Miroslav Klose, who was standing next to me, also got attacked.

"Cruz said I did not hit him.

"The referee said he saw the incident but that nothing serious happened. But then Fifa suspends me. It is all politics.

"All Fifa meant to do with this suspension is show that they do not favour Germany during the World Cup in their own country.

"That's why they suspended me."

Frings also called for a strong punishment to be imposed on Argentine defender Cufre after his distasteful actions.

"They should suspended Cufre for two years," Frings added. "He kicked Per in the groin."

 

[cyril]

Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes Zinedine Zidane holds the key for France, as the pair prepare to go head-to-head in the World Cup final.

The veteran tactician and playmaker have both defied the odds and the critics to lead their teams to the last two at this summer's tournament.

France scraped through the group stages as runners-up, but have sparkled since, beating Portugal 1-0 to progress from the last four by virtue of a Zidane penalty.

Lippi's team meanwhile, gave a stellar display of their own as they knocked-out the hosts Germany in the semi-finals, and the boss has taken note of Sunday's opposition, earmarking the previously under-fire Frenchman as Les Bleus' catalyst.

"We have seen how France grew during the tournament," Lippi commented.

"After the first two matches were not good, quite difficult in fact, they found their way to their best form, thanks to their best player Zinedine Zidane.

"Anyway, I'm convinced it will be a really balanced final, between two teams who are evenly-matched. We will play for the cup."

Zizou has already announced that he will retire after the tournament, and with Lippi also expected to leave the Azzurri after the game, it will be a keenly fought contest to see who comes out on top in their swansong.

It was so hard on us and on him, Referees are symphatising with zizou lately...im not scared of him more of trezeguet....

 

[Lilith]

Question: Let's say Italy wins the world cup, and Moggi and the others are found guilty, do Italy get stripped of their title?

I was just arguing with someone that Italy and clubs are two separate entities and that they won't but this person told me I know nothing about football and that they will be stripped. I think he is crazy and just because I am female they assume I know nothing.

 

[swag]

Question: Let's say Italy wins the world cup, and Moggi and the others are found guilty, do Italy get stripped of their title?

I was just arguing with someone that Italy and clubs are two separate entities and that they won't but this person told me I know nothing about football and that they will be stripped. I think he is crazy and just because I am female they assume I know nothing.

One word: dumbass.