Sport | Football

Scandal-ridden Italians scale Dizzy Heights

Facing relegation and ignominy at home, Italy's magnificent footballers Sunday night scaled Olympian heights here at the Olympic Stadium.

  • By Henry Winter
  • Published: 00:00 July 10, 2006
  • Gulf News

Berlin: Facing relegation and ignominy at home, Italy's magnificent footballers Sunday night scaled Olympian heights here at the Olympic Stadium.

As France imploded, losing Zinedine Zidane to a head-butt and then losing their way at penalties, Italy celebrated as they had never before.

Judgment day on the Serie A refereeing scandal awaits, but their footballing judgment day proved a joyous one for Italy's players. The key moment in the shoot-out came when David Trezeguet, a past tormentor of Italy, missed France's second kick, the ball crashing down off the bar, on to the line and out.

Italy's composure held. With successful kicks from Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi already in the bank, Italy were seen home by confident finishes from Daniele de Rossi, Alessandro del Piero, who atoned for past misses, and finally, thrillingly, ecstatically Fabio Grosso.

As Italy's jubilant players celebrated their scalping of France by cutting off Mauro Camorenesi's locks, the vanquished were left to reflect ruefully on how they could have done with the dead-ball prowess of Zidane in their hour of need.

Sadly, the occasion was scarred by the shameful end to Zidane's glittering career.

Related Links

Horacio Elizondo, the Argentine who dismissed Wayne Rooney, initially appeared not to have noticed the offence, but Gianluigi Buffon had and screamed for sanction.

As the bonfire of the profanities raged, the fourth official pointed out to Elizondo the nature of the misdemeanour by Zidane, who had started so magnificently.

The final had been treated to an extraordinary opening, with Henry requiring smelling salts after running into Fabio Cannavaro, Vieira sent flying by Gianluca Zambrotta and then that sumptuous penalty from Zidane, following Florent Malouda's dive under the faintest of contacts from Materazzi.

If the goal's origins appeared shamefully stained with simulation, nothing could detract from the beauty of Zidane's spot-kick. Here was the French legend at his most inventive, at his most technically refined.

Calmly placing the ball down on the spot, never looking at Buffon, never betraying a trace of nerves, Zidane was the master of the moment. Zidane's gentle gem was the first time in this tournament that Buffon had been beaten by an opponent.

Italy's keeper turned to the tifosi behind him, urging them to lift the volume and the team's spirits.

Italy's fans responded lustily, exhorting the Azzurri onward, and the team responded in emphatic fashion.

Again a set-piece set the scene. Andrea Pirlo's dead-ball expertise was beginning to become a feature of the final, and the AC Milan man's 19th-minute flag-kick was immense, perfectly delivered towards the towering figure of Materazzi.

The former Everton centre-half rose magnificently above Vieira to head home, the ball speeding past Fabien Barthez and Frank Ribery on the line.

The drama never stopped, flowing from end to end. The force was then with France, yet, the Italians enjoyed moments of hope.
French hearts were in their mouths when Zidane fell under Cannavaro's challenge, clutching his shoulder.

He signalled to come off, but remained following lengthy treatment. A World Cup final that Arsene Wenger described as "Zidane's testimonial" then melted into extra time and controversy.

? The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2006

More from Football

  1. Al Ahli trash Al Wasl 6-2 in season ender

  2. Torres excited by future after Chelsea talks

  3. Former Italy striker Di Vaio joins Montreal

  4. Al Ain poised to lift trophy

All articles in Football

More from Sport

Gulf News
Popular in Football
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice