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From Italy

Memories Of Italy VS Germany (Germany 2006)

 

To some listening to music takes them back to certain points in their lives'  and the things that were going about them at the time they perhaps first heard that particular song or musical piece yet with me; music is timeless. This meaning that I do not associate it with a particular time in the past yet as a part of my life which prompts certain feelings in me when I happen to be listening to a particular piece of music.

 

Films however have the effect of taking me back to certain points in my life as I sometimes feel as I did the first time I saw the film and remember the person I saw it with. This also being the way I feel about watching great football matches from the past which allow me to recapture those sensations which came over me at the time when I was watching them live. These being passion, thrill of triumph, sense of loss, despair, panic, ecstasy, analysis of the game and so many more thoughts and emotions which were going on in my mind while my eyes were receiving the images of a match which seemed of such consequence at the time; as if it could decide the fate of the entire planet.

 

This in fact being the reason, I enjoy watching games from the past, specially though not exclusively those which Italy played in and won. I, sometimes even enjoy games which Italy did not win yet held found moments such as Italy's defeats against Brazil in both USA 94 and Argentina 78. Of course, I also enjoy those matches which did not even involve Italy such as Germany Vs. France from Spain 82 or Argentina Vs. Brazil from Italia 90 along with several other matches which truly captured the imagination at the time.

 

As for the Italy Vs. Germany of 2006, it was played on a Wednesday (like most semifinals), on a very hot day and on the 4th of July (Independence Day in the US) which in and of itself meant nothing to me personally though I was born in New York.  As for the match itself, it was memories of past Italy Germany encounters which came to mind a lot more than how either team had made it to the semifinal. This due to neither team having been involved in any outstanding or specially difficult matches during Germany 2006 prior to the semifinal though Italy had been most fortunate against Australia. This to win on what even I considered to have been a nonexistent penalty in the last minute of regulation time.

 

One thing however which did strike me as coincidental though not particularly indicative of anything was that Germany was coming off an overtime win over Argentina in the quarterfinal. This seeming most odd how every time Italy had beaten Germany in a world cup; Germany had just won a match in overtime. This being the case in Mexico 70 when Germany was taken in to overtime by England, whom they went on to beat by 3-2 in their quarterfinal match. This while Italy defeated Mexico by 4-1 though in a match which was not as one sided as the score might lead one to believe.

 

This scenario even repeated itself in Spain 82 when Italy and Germany met in the finals. It being a case of Germany having gone 120 minutes against France to win in penalties in what had been a grueling match while Italy definitely had had an easier time of it against Poland whom they defeated by 2-0. I, to a certain extent could see history repeating itself as Germany had been taking in to overtime and even penalties in their previous quarterfinal victory over Argentina. This while Italy had emerged victorious over Ukraine by 3-0 though again in a match which was more problematic for the azurri than the score might indicate.

 

All of which seeming strange to me that the only times Italy had managed to beat Germany was when Germany had just come off playing an overtime match while Italy came off getting a relatively comfortable win. This however had not been the case when Germany had not come off playing an overtime game as on those occasions Italy and Germany had drawn at 0. This being what occurred when they met in Chile 62 and in Argentina 78. It, in fact being Germany who benefited more from the draw in 62. As they qualified for the quarterfinals while Italy was left out in the first round because of that result. In Argentina 78, Italy at least went on to play for 3rd place and in all fairness even a win would not have placed them in the final over the Netherlands as Italy would go on to loose by 2-1 to the Netherlands anyway. Of course, the above mentioned factors did not have much importance or then again perhaps it was a mere coincidence yet it was something which did call my attention concerning the history behind Italy vs. Germany matches in the world cup.

 

As for the place where I would watch the match, this almost went without saying that it would be San Lorenzo (Italian restaurant in Warsaw) with all those Italian fans. Some of whom were from the old country while others like myself, were of Italian descent and naturally there were those who simply cheered Italy on because they had some connection with Italy. The mood as can be expected was a festive one in San Lorenzo with tables being decorated and all the regulars present to hopefully watch Italy win and move on to their 6th final in 16 world cup appearances. I, for my part on that day had a great feeling about me that Italy could win this match. It being similar to the one I had had when Italy defeated Brazil in Spain 82 and though I knew beating Germany was not going to be an easy task; I simply had it in my mind that this was going to be Italy's night. Naturally, I was aware of Germany's strengths and their world cup history which included 3 world cups along with reaching the finals on 7 occasions plus two third places finishes and one fourth place finish yet my mind kept telling me this was our world cup.

 

The night was special and I could see that all those about me, who had suffered so much four years earlier during South KoreaJapan 2002 were present with looks of triumph about them which inspired my emotions even further to believe that ours would be to win. San Lorenzo, being full to capacity which had turned this once elegant restaurant in to an equally elegant bar with standing room only left for those who unlike myself were not regulars. It was something I will never forget being next to all those who were my San Lorenzo friends as the game was about to commence. I, for my part having come with a Polish friend of mine who though more of a basketball fan, did take enjoyment from the world cup; specially if it was a semifinal like this one was.

 

The game started and what excitement was in the air as I along with all those about me watched the game, commented while eating and drinking. I having ordered two large pizzas and beer while those about me opted for pasta and wine on this most sinfully hot Warsaw evening. As for the early conversation regarding the match, it as can be expected centered around the lineup which our coach; Marcelo Lippi had chosen to start with which went as follows:

 

Buffon (goalkeeper)

Materazzi

Carnabaro

Zambrotta

Grosso

Perrota

Gatusso

Totti

Pirlo

Camoranessi

Toni

 

It being the opinion of many about me that perhaps Inzaghi should be playing in place of Toni though Toni had scored 2 goals in Italy's previous game against the Ukraine and was Italy's top goal scorer of Germany 2006 or at least up and till that point. As for play itself, it started with both teams feeling each other out and a few light fouls here or there yet without malice and more with desires of being safe by those who committed them than causing injury or any such thing. Totti however did not take long to get in a shot on target from a long distance free kick at the 3 minute mark which though not enough to give Germany's goalkeeper, Lehman much in the way of trouble; was a good effort. It letting the German's know that they needed to worry about shots from outside their own penalty box. As for my friends and myself, it allowed us to see for ourselves that Totti was feeling up to the game. This in spite of not having fully recovered from an earlier operation which had left two metal plates in his ankle that still needed to be removed.

 

Of course, none of us were thinking this shot would score yet it did give us something to applaud as well as a chance to relax from the pressures fans like us go through every time their team takes the field in a world cup game in which the looser is left without a chance to go on to the final. It being clear that once a team is in the semifinal, they can no longer be eliminated. As even if they loose, they go on to play for third place yet it is by far preferable or at least in my opinion; to loose in the final than to win the match for third place. This shot even helped create a stadium like atmosphere in San Lorenzo and this despite the fact that most of us were seated and eating from plates but cheers and screams of "Italia" were as loud as if we had been in Milan's "San Siro" or Rome's "Olympic Stadium.

 

Germany, for its part like Italy also had players who were more than capable such as Klose, Podolski, Ballack and others and this Italy's defense knew all too well that they needed to be on their toes during the whole match. As even the slightest slip up could lead to a German goal which in a tight affair could signify the difference between winning and loosing. The game was in fact, one in which there was not much freedom being given by either side as this after all; was a semifinal which my friends and I could definitely feel in our anxieties as the minutes of the first half went by.

 

A chance however came when Pirlo sent a through ball to Perrota which beat the off-sides trap yet Lehman managed to avoid complications by coming off his line just at the right moment. Italy also had its scare when Ballack's header fell on Pirlo's shoulder in the penalty box yet since the ball was coming down; it was not given as a handball which would have been a definite penalty had it been considered as such. The game however continued with some yelling at the screen while others chanted and others like myself; simply suffered and breathed according to every play which took place on the field of play.

 

I had seen Italy play in the semifinal before yet there is something even more interesting about playing such matches against another member of the great four of world football as I have come to call them. These "great four" being Argentina, Germany, Brazil and Italy. As these teams are the ones which basically dominate world football by either getting to most of the world cup finals or having most of the great players. Naturally, other countries play well but these were the top and their having won 15 out of 18 world cups proved it. This being the reason why many of the most memorable matches or moments in football had involved one of these teams. This not to say that a semifinal against Spain or France would not have been something to watch but the tradition was there in a way which was undeniable.

 

Italy in all, I must say was having a great game and by the middle of the first half had already taken control of the midfield. Germany was always a threat with their forwards yet Italy's midfield was having its way and clearly dominating play which meant that most of the action took place in Germany's half of the field. German defense however was solid and anticipated well which made clear scoring chances not come so often but Italy was looking good; almost as if they were the ones who were playing in front of their own crowd.

 

Italy had more ball possession but this did not mean that Germany could not attack which they made clear they could do when Klose passed to Schneider (33 minutes in to the game); who blasted his shot over the post yet it was close. Naturally with this being a semifinal, our sense of drama had been augmented as we watched Buffon reach for that hard shot, to see it go safely out but we knew this could have just as easily been very bad news for Italy. The half ended at 0-0 and though it was far from being boring, there had not been many opportunities at either end with arguably the best scoring chance going Germany's way when Schneider perhaps should have done better with his shot yet fortunately for us, the viewers at San Lorenzo; he did not. Italy however had in my opinion, despite this factor, slightly out played Germany. As their midfield had imposed its game on Germany though not to the point that it was total. Germany having even exerted more control at the end of the half.

 

The half however was over and as some of us took our turns going to the toilet along with getting a cigarette, talk centered around the game and what we could expect from the second half. Italy however we knew was strong and had perhaps one of the best teams we had ever fielded, to go along with such great teams of the past like the ones we had had back in 70, 82, 90 and 94. Italy's team having players of physical power such as Materazzi and Toni along with creators like Totti and Pirlo while hard defensive minded midfielders like Gattuso fought for every ball yet did so in a way that was not so prone to committing fouls. This in contrast to Benetti who had played for Italy back in the 74 and 78 world cups.

 

The half time break ended with all of us enthusiastically going back to our places and drinks as by then most of us had finished eating. I for my part, however was experiencing a new kind of football fan which seemed to be almost as showy as the game. They being of the sort which shouted out when ever something happened and even wore the shirt of the Italian football team which was something I had done 4 years earlier but refrained from doing it after the 2002 world cup. This with the perhaps halfhearted believe that my Italian shirt had brought bad luck.

 

The second half was basically Germany taking slight control of the midfield though not really being able to do much with it in the way of creating scoring opportunities. The second half being slower than the first though our tension increased as the game got closer to the final whistle. This being most apparent in the way screams were directed at the screen as if  we were right there in Dortmund; were the action was taking place instead of in an Italian restaurant in Warsaw called "San Lorenzo". This while some of the words which were shouted by my friends not always being of the kind which I should place in this article yet were indicative of how much we wanted Italy to win.

 

A perfect example of Italian passion came when Germany's goalkeeper crashed in to Perrota in a way that automatically made me think of the time Schumacher had taken out Battiston in Spain 82. The impact had not been of such devastation yet it did send some fear amongst us that Perrota might need to be substituted which fortunately for Italy; did not prove to be the case.

 

The game ended and overtime would be required to settle the matter. This being when ours became torture to know what ours would be for this world cup and in the history of our football. My friend, Enrrico even commentating on how one was required to suffer just to see one's team win a world cup but most agreeing with me that it would be well worth the effort if Italy won. I, for my part as I tend to do when watching football matches, mentioned past encounters such as the Italy Vs Germany of 70 which had also finished tied after the regular 90 and likewise had required 30 minutes of overtime to settle the issue.

 

Of course, there was also the history which we all had in the back of our minds though none of us mentioned perhaps not wanting to be negative. This being how Italy had lost all 3 of their world cup matches which had ended up going in to penalties while Germany had won all 4 of theirs. Germany being so outstanding that out of all the penalties they had taken in those four penalty shootouts; only one had been missed. This while Italy had missed 7 out of 16 penalties which practically made it a must win situation for Italy during the upcoming period of overtime. It being as if Italy were playing a game which they had to win because a draw would pretty much mean certain defeat.

 

Overtime got underway and as it did, Girardino hit the post just 40 seconds after the referee had blown his whistle for the game to continue. This after a delightful maneuver to beat both Ballack and Lehman yet just managed to miss the target in an effort which perhaps deserved better but this was irrelevant to the fact that he did not score. Fate, if there be such a thing in football at that point seemed to be against us! As just at the two minute mark of overtime, Perrota violently crashed a shot in to the crossbar which left Germany goalkeeper Lehman; as a mere spectator. Italy had come ever so close on two occasions yet like they say in America "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades" and football was neither one yet I felt Italy would win. This not even being the wishful thinking of most fans but a certain emotion that told me that this was our world cup and though some might get the impression that I feel this way during all of Italy's matches; the truth is another. I, for instance not being overly sure of victory before Italy played France in 98 or Brazil in 94 yet I sensed its full force on that particular night.

 

Germany, of course had as much will to win as Italy. Specially since loosing at home is not something any teams wishes to do in a world cup. It even being a vicious German shot which caught Materazzi in the head yet did not cause much in the way of damage but just a slight pain which did not require any outside attention. The first half of overtime was over and still the score of 0-0 remained with all our hopes and joys riding on almost every touch of the ball.

 

A huge roar was heard when Del Piero came in for Perrota. It being Del Piero who perhaps had not had such a good world cup in 98 and had missed golden chances against France in the European championship of 2000 yet that was the past. Del Piero was being given a chance to make amends which to a certain extent, he already had when he scored Italy's equalizer against Mexico four years earlier in the 2002 world cup. Del Piero also being a favorite of all those around me who are fans of Juventus.

 

A scoring chance came Germany's way 25 minutes in to overtime when Podolski got at the end of a fine cross yet missed timed his arrival which sent the ball wide but this could have been Germany's break. Podolski finding himself unmarked in the penalty box yet perhaps in being over anxious to get the job done sent it wide.

 

A nice opportunity also came to Italy with ten minutes remaining yet in all fairness Germany's defense did its job well to prevent Del Piero from getting a good shot on goal. Our reaction being one of near joy though some did make less than flattering comments for what they saw as another missed opportunity. We had a chance yet just a minute later, Podolski managed to get a great shot off which I do believe would have definitely scored if he had placed it more to the side or if perhaps; Buffon had not reacted with the speed with which he did. The score was still 0-0 but we had received a huge scare yet just two minutes went by till Del Piero shot wide but in all fairness with Germany's defense playing the way it was; there was no real blame on him.

 

Time was running out and it really seemed that we would see penalties yet I felt that certain something which I had felt when Italy was loosing to Nigeria by 1-0 in 94 that somehow we would get a goal before the end of the game. Of course, I knew there was a chance of penalties yet I felt that would not be necessary. As for those around me, they seemed to be shouting "goal" just about on every shot which they did in fact when Pirlo took a really nice shot from just outside the penalty box with one minute left in the game. Lehman however managed to send it for a corner kick and though Pirlo did not score; his efforts were rewarded with applause from the San Lorenzo faithful.

 

The corner was taken by Del Piero and this is what it all came down to. Del Piero's ball hung up and was headed down to Pirlo, who sent a nice soft pass to Grosso, who had freed himself of Ballack and just before this player could cover hi; managed to get off a curling shot.  A powerful shot it was that just went past the long out stretched arm of Lehman in to the back of the net. It had been a goal and bedlam was released as the shouts went all about of "goal" while drinks were tossed in to the air and hugging along with jumping up and down commenced. A table even being sent crashing down due to all the sheer delight yet it was thus that Italy had scored and nothing else mattered. Grosso, Grosso had done it and all of us felt that step closer to the final yet there was still time for an equalizer and though it was not likely that the Germans would get it; we did not want to assume that they could not.

 

Germany at this point had nothing to loose and went forward with everything they had while Italy defended with all the experience which had made their defense one of the best in the world. A Ballack shot went wide and we breathed a sigh of relief yet the game still had some time to be played which meant that we could not celebrate just yet.

 

Germany attacked and it was the ever solid Carnavaro, who they encountered at a time when all of us (this I can only imagine) were wishing the ball to be sent as far away from our penalty box as possible. Carnavaro in fact coming out with the ball after having won it and sending it forward which assured us that Germany was not going to score or at least not on that particular drive. The ball however was advanced and before we knew it, Italy went from defending to attacking as Giaquinta pulled two defenders toward him and simply back heeled it to Del Piero. This pass leaving Del Piero, one on a one with Leham, whom he simply gave no chance. As on this occasion Del Piero made no mistake in sending the ball in to the top part of the German goal and Italy in to the final.

 

It was funny how this lovely elegant restaurant had become a madhouse with celebrations of not only the goal but of victory which was now assured as what else could one call it? After all, Italy was wining by 2-0 with less than a minute remaining in overtime yet as all those about me shouted, hugged each other, jumped up and down, sent drinks in the air and simply were having the time of their lives; I looked at the TV screen where I saw a German girl. This young lady's face and tears capturing the moment perfectly. Her despair being captured on camera and going all over the world. It seeming like the perfect image to contrast the joy that Italian players were feeling as the game was over. Germany would not even be taking out the ball for what perhaps at most would have been 30 seconds.

 

The words "andiamo a Berlino, andiamo a Berlino" (were going to Berlin) echoing in my ears till today and every time I think of those two goals while everybody seemed to chase Del Piero. We had not won the world cup yet but we were in the final and with San Lorenzo being a place of class champagne was passed out on the house. After the match some of us getting in to cars and going to other places in Warsaw just to celebrate and demonstrate to others that we had simply won.

About the Author

My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.

 

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