AJC.com > Sports > Soccer blog > Archives > 2006 > July > 04
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Fabio fabioso
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After his fortuitous dive against Australia in the dying moments of the second round, Fabio Grosso might have saved Italy from a short run in the World Cup.
Then again, given the Italians’ resilience through 118 minutes of regulation and extra time play Tuesday, they probably were due to be rewarded fair and square as they sent the German hosts packing in a rugged 2-0 thriller in Dortmund.
Grosso was left unmarked in the penalty area with just two minutes left before penalty kicks would have been needed, and slammed home a curling left-footed shot that sends Italy to the finals for the first time since 1994.
And on the very last play of the game, Alessandro del Piero doubled Italy’s pleasure on a beautiful counterattack, with Germany pushed up the other way.
The Azzurri remain unbeaten against Germany in World Cup play. But the hosts, a surprise entry in the semifinals, electrified a nation with their flair and attacking style.
The Boss Man just asked Off the Ball who’s going to win Wednesday between France and Portugal. As much as Italy has been using adversity in his favor in this World Cup, France might be the so-called team of destiny. But Portugal is going to get Deco and Costinha back. What a treat to see ex-Real Madrid teammates Zidane and Figo meet in the World Cup, at the twilight of their careers.
Predicting a winner here is hard, but enjoying the thrills of players such as these is the biggest treat of all.
Taking no prisoners
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Perhaps to show that it’s willing to take hard-line action even against the host nation, FIFA handed down a very late suspension for Germany’s Torsten Frings, ruling him out of today’s semifinal against Italy.
That it took several days for the verdict to be rendered, and certainly after Germany had devised its tactics with Frings in mind, is just another take-no-prisoners decision at this World Cup. Footage of the fracas between Frings and Argentina’s Julio Cruz was amply beamed back home by an Italian television station, which has made the German camp rather agitated, to say the least.
With or without Herr Handball, this one of the game’s best rivalries that hasn’t played out at the World Cup since Italy won the thing in ‘82.
This Italian team is showing much of the resilience of that title squad, given all the adversity behind the scenes with match-fixing, a suicide attempt, etc. Here’s another twist to the saga with the sudden resignation of coach Fabio Capello from the sinking ship that is Juventus. Is Real Madrid in his future?
Will be back after Italy vs. Germany. Any predix? I say Italy wins 2-1, maybe in extra time.
