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Italy is Champion of the World!
Italy won the 2006 World Cup on penalty kicks and they are now World Champions. Unlike the World Series in the US or the Super Bowl for American football the World Cup is actually watched by and played by the whole world.
Now, I am not even going to pretend that I know anything at all about soccer. This was the first World Cup that I have actually paid attention to and I have to say I have come away a fan. It took a while to get over the shock that two teams could actually play a sport for 90 minutes plus overtime and still end up in a 0-0 tie. Then after not scoring but running all over a huge field it all comes down to individual players trying to out guess the goalie. It is a situation that makes heroes of some and well, I think the term goat comes to mind for others.
I also had a difficult time finding the tackle the first time it was pointed out to me. Being a Steelers and Ohio State fan I consider a tackle to be a full body take down.
But I know what I like and I like the fact that players from all over the world play the game. I also like the fact that the players shed their shirts at the end of a game and exchange them. I like it when all the fans sing at the top of their lungs - it does not matter that no one can understand them. I like that there is a lot of wandering around on the field after the game with players shaking hands, clapping for each other cheering on their fans and generally enjoying the moment.
I also now know that there is no head butting in soccer. Zinedine Zidane was red carded in overtime for an obvious hit to the chest of an Italian player with his head.
Watching the match caused great suffering and tension followed by an explosion of joy by Italians and Italian wanna-be's everywhere. My guess is few people will be working in Italy or Little Italy neighborhoods all over the world tomorrow.
So Italy has won the World Cup for the fourth time by beating France 5 - 3 on penalty kicks. There was much celebrating on the field by the Italian players and in the stands by the fans. The trophy was kissed and touched, caressed and lifted high in the air by the new World Champions.
Posted by Jackie on July 9, 2006
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