World Cup 09/07/06

Forza Azzurri!

I joined my sister and one of my nephews to watch the 2006 World Cup final on Corso Italia in Little Italy, just a few blocks from where I live. They are both Italia supporters, so it was the place to be on Sunday. It was fairly calm on the street before the match, as everyone hurried to find a spare inch of space to watch. Which was not easy given how many people had come downtown.

The experts had all hoped that there would be an early goal to get, and keep, the game going strong. We got two early goals, one for France on penalty kick, and a lovely header by Materazzi to even up the score.

I was sure Italy was going to score another one in regular time, but when we went to extra time, France seemed to be dominating. Until Zidane lost his cool and viciously head-butted Materazzi in the chest at the beginning of the second extra time period. He was sent off the field in disgrace, and had to walk past the World Cup trophy as he exited. I can imagine how he must have felt. After that, Italy picked up the steam again, but it ended up going to penalty shootout to decide the winner.

The Italians showed confidence when they stepped up to the spot. In my sister’s nightmare they would have to go to sudden-death penalty kicks, but Trezequet sent his off the underside of the cross bar, and Grosso executed his spot-kick with perfection giving Italy the win. The pub I was in exploded in a wall of noise when that ball hit the back of the net.

We never got to see the medal ceremony because the celebrations outside began immediately, but I watched most of the match again last night when I got home. As World Cup finals go it was a good one. My sister and I have been watching matches together for a long time, but it was special to share that experience with my thirteen year old nephew.