Sport | Football
Lippi: This is the most satisfying moment of my life
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said winning the World Cup was the most satisfying moment of his life after his team beat France 5-3 in a shootout on Sunday.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 July 10, 2006
Berlin: Italy coach Marcello Lippi said winning the World Cup was the most satisfying moment of his life after his team beat France 5-3 in a shootout on Sunday.
"I have to say thanks to the players," said Lippi. "This is the most satisfying moment of my life. We are very happy."
A delighted Lippi added: "The greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can feel.
"How many coaches have won a world title at club level (The Intercontinental Cup) and also with a national team? I don't know. I've won the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles but I've never felt anything like this, it is a completely different feeling."
Lippi said that he was "convinced" that Italy would win the shootout because of the attitude his players took to penalties.
"It takes a lot of determination and a lot of conviction in penalty shootouts - it's not by chance. Our boys really wanted it and that's why they were able to put away all five," he said.
"In the second half we faded physically but there was always a chance that it could be won from a set-piece, or from one moment, there were great players out there capable of doing that. Then we took the penalties very well, there was great lucidity in the penalties," he said.
"The decisive moment for us, when we got the feeling we could go forward was when, with the results we got, we were able to finish top of the group and come up against teams in the second round and quarterfinal who seemed less difficult than other teams. In that situation, your conviction grows naturally.
"Then we beat Germany, in front of 60,000 of their fans. I always said that if you get to the semifinals then anything can happen," he said.
However, the Italy coach's future is far from clear, given his contract ends later this month and he refused to discuss the matter.
"Ask me another question, let's enjoy this great moment," he said.
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