Day 24 - We are the World Champions!!!

As the sun slowly rises out of the East, on the final day of this great month full of entertaining games and amazing goals, the Italians prepare to put their domestic problems aside and concentrate on the most important game in this world cup - with 90 minutes potentially the time between glory and agony. With the gold World cup gleaming in the sun it was up for grabs but the Italians had only thing separating them and the coveted trophy - the formidable French army. The Italians started the better and had better chances as the game started at a rather slow pace. But hardly had the game started but the referee's whistle blew for fowl on a Malouda - a rather dubious decision - and Zidane scored a cheeky penalty which ricocheted off the crossbar, crossed the goal line and then rolled back on the field. With France leading through that penalty which was not a penalty, the Italians had to keep on attacking and they did it in style. 10 minutes later, Materazzi rose high over the French defence to head in the much needed equaliser from a Pirlo corner. With Italy going all out for the win, the French were caught napping at the back and Luca Toni scored another one only to be adjudged offside. With the scores remaining level, and the French trying to put one past the Italian defence the game seemed to be heading for 20 more minutes. Toni hit the crossbar and Buffon denied Zidane with a fantastic save and proved why he was the most expensive keeper in the world. Extra time proved to be a similar affair but with 10 minutes remaining, there was drama as Materazzi went down, the linesman had a word with the Referee and out came the red card for Zizou to end his career on a bitter note. Replay's showed that Zidane headbutted Materazzi leaving the Ref with no choice but to send him off. What a disastrous end to an illustrious career. Zidane walks back to the lockers passing the World cup on his way out. The end of Zizou and as many thought, the hopes of the French. With a man down and 10 minutes left, the French would have been more happy to hang on for the Penalty shootout which would give them an even chance and a psychological disadvantage for the Italians - having lost 3 of their last 4 world cups on penalties. After 120 minutes of good football, there was nothing else to do rather than hope for the best. The Italians scored all of their spotkicks and Trezeguet hit his on the bar to give the azzurri the advatage. And when Grosso scored the decisive kick past Barthez, it was all over for France and ecstasy for the Italians and me! Italy were the World Champions! Their dream had become a reality and they conceded only 2 goals - one an own goal and the other a penalty - en route to the Cup of Glory. It was all shades of green-white-red on and off the field and even for me it took some time for the thought that we were world champions to sink in. But in the end, the Italians deserved the world cup and it will give them a great boost after their recent scandals back home.

Amid scenes of rapturous joy and happiness all over the field, there were the beaten French scattered and wondering what went wrong for them? Was it Zidane's sending off or was Trezeguet's miss the only turning point?They collected their medals with sad faces and looked a beaten side, all weary and tired. Them the time came for the heroes of the night to come forward and one by one, the jubilant Italians collected their winner's medals and piled on to the dais. As Cannavaro collected his medal, there was a huge roar of applause and rightfully so too for he put in a mammoth performance in this World Cup and was a worthy winner in the end - along with the other Italians. As Cannavaro received the Golden trophy, the fireworks started, the music blared out of the speakers, the streamers were all over the place, the Italians were happily celebrating and the he lifted the trophy high into the German sky - just as I dreamed a month back! For the Italians back home and for the fans like me, this was a defining moment and one to savour for the rest of our lives. Italy - World Champions...at least for the next four years...how sweet it sounds.
Italy 2-1 France PS(5-3)
7-Zidane pen(FRA), 19-Materazzi(ITA)
Pirlo(ITA)-Scored, Wiltord(FRA)-Scored, Materazzi(ITA)-Scored, Trezeguet(FRA)-Missed, De Rossi(ITA)-Scored, Abidal(FRA)-Scored, Del Piero(ITA)-Scored,Sagnol(FRA)-Scored, Grosso(ITA)-Scores to win the World Cup!