What dreams are made of
It aint often that I'm moved to tears by soccer.Hell the last time I teared was when England scored against Brazil four years ago.However, on this special day,I have once again been amazed by the beauty of soccer.
After 64 matches and so many great moments, it's a befitting end to the 2006 World Cup to have Italy triumph.They were my favourite 2nd team.Somehow after they dumped the Czechs out I just realised they were in with a shout.
But they had no right to win.A scandal of "sporting fraud" has been overshadowing their every move.Four of their biggest clubs are involved.So many reperesentatives of these clubs were at the Finals,like Del Piero and Cannavaro.Surely they would have had their future on their minds all throughout the tournament.But I give them my respect for the mental strength and fortitude they had in blocking everything out and seemingly drawing strength from it.It takes character to win such a tournament.And damn did they show it.
Class and panache.That defined the Italians during the tournament.Yes,it was through penalties,but it is a fitting way to win it,through the mental strength that has helped them so.It's their first win on penalties,need anything else be said?In this tournament many fresh faces emerged.I wanna brag about Fabio Grosso.Yes,let it be known that I played him in my FM game and he rocked so I didn't really expect him to be too bad,let alone score the WINNING penalty.
So many unknowns came to Germany and left as a new hero.Luca Toni,Vicenzo Iaquinta,Fabio Grosso,Aaron Lennon,Phillip Lahm,Bastian Schweinsteiger.I believe we shall hear about these players more often in the future.And the exits of a few greats took place,like Oliver Kahn,Lillian Thuram,Claude Makelele,Zinedine Zidane,Roberto Carlos,Fabien Barthez.In my next post I shall post more thoughts on the tournament.
