VIVA AZZURRI!!!
Finally, after years of frustration and heartaches as an Azzurri fan - there have been so many near misses since 1982, particularly in penalty shootouts - Italy are, once more, CHAMPIONS of WORLD FOOTBALL!! Five out of five in the shootout. No goals conceded in open play. The best defence and goalkeeper in the tournament. An excellent, amazing display of desire, courage and fortitude against the backdrop of a scandalous storm raging at home....
This is their fourth world title since the inception of the tournament, which means that the Azzurri are the second most successful nation in world football, behind only five-time champs Brazil. :D
The only slight imperfection in a glorious campaign might be that Cannavaro the Colossus narrowly lost the Golden Ball prize to Zinedine Zidane. The award was decided at the end of the first half, hence the 'head-butting' incident did not affect the decision. Frankly, headbutt or not, looking at all the matches from Day 1, it is obvious Fab Fabio has been the most consistent top performer of the tournament - Zizou only sparked into life from the third match onwards. Just look at him standing there with arms crossed in the centre circle during the penalty shootout - a picture of utter coolness and deep-seated confidence, just like when he was leading the team in the heat of battle. A man-mountain of the Italian side through and through and a more-than- worthy successor to their previous captain, the immense Pablo Maldini.
And it's clear that a watertight defence and spot-kick training are essential for a successful cup campaign these days, isn't it? Besides tactical finesse, technical excellence, and good luck, of course. ;)
Would also like to take some time off to mention a certain young Spanish chap called Rafael Nadal. He may not have been able to prise the Wimbledon trophy off Roger Federer this time, but, boy, doesn't he show promise! All the way to the All-England final in only his fifth tournament on the green stuff. And the only person to take a set off Federer. Thanks for making men's tennis exciting again, Rafa.
This is their fourth world title since the inception of the tournament, which means that the Azzurri are the second most successful nation in world football, behind only five-time champs Brazil. :D
The only slight imperfection in a glorious campaign might be that Cannavaro the Colossus narrowly lost the Golden Ball prize to Zinedine Zidane. The award was decided at the end of the first half, hence the 'head-butting' incident did not affect the decision. Frankly, headbutt or not, looking at all the matches from Day 1, it is obvious Fab Fabio has been the most consistent top performer of the tournament - Zizou only sparked into life from the third match onwards. Just look at him standing there with arms crossed in the centre circle during the penalty shootout - a picture of utter coolness and deep-seated confidence, just like when he was leading the team in the heat of battle. A man-mountain of the Italian side through and through and a more-than- worthy successor to their previous captain, the immense Pablo Maldini.
And it's clear that a watertight defence and spot-kick training are essential for a successful cup campaign these days, isn't it? Besides tactical finesse, technical excellence, and good luck, of course. ;)
Would also like to take some time off to mention a certain young Spanish chap called Rafael Nadal. He may not have been able to prise the Wimbledon trophy off Roger Federer this time, but, boy, doesn't he show promise! All the way to the All-England final in only his fifth tournament on the green stuff. And the only person to take a set off Federer. Thanks for making men's tennis exciting again, Rafa.
posted by snowcalla @ 1:34 am (UTC+8)
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