Viva Italia!!!!

Being the lone supporter of Italy amongst our group here in Tuscaloosa, I felt a bit sad initially that the world's best defensive side doesnt have a second supporter, which is quite opposite to of what I was experiencing in Mumbai, wherein almost all my friends were Azzurri's supporters...Add to that the missing out of Vieri, and then Nesta for most of the WC + their dismal performance against USA and Australia made it easy for my friends here to predict Brazil as the clear emerging winner..Then came the vital setback, during our trip to atlanta of Brazil being knocked out of the tournament by France and once again Zidane's magic had outdone Brazil. Then Italy marched in style into the finals by beating Ukraine 3-0 and Germany 2-0..Then all my friends started feeling Italy are capable of winning the most coveted soccer tournament..I still cannot comprehend why most of the people prefer attacking soccer and cannot appreciate a great defensive step or a great defensive game..Guess, after holding France 1-1, Italy did a great job once again in defense and that too in the absence of their star defender, Alessandro Nesta. Buffon and the captain certainly rose to the occasion and Buffon' save of Zidane's header was really salutable..De Grosso's penalty made me rise out of my couch and scream for Italy had first time beaten France in many years and that too in their jinxed penalty shootout...I realize this blog is too late, but this is my appreciation to my favorite soccer team since '90 WC..stil cannot forget the way schillaci played..hats off to azzurris...Photo courtesy: NDTV..