2006 WORLD CUP -- Semifinals start -- Germany v. Italy

MLSnet.com ^ | 7-3-06 | MLSnet.com

[soccer_maniac]

The Germans and Italians meet in Dortmund on Tuesday (2:55 p.m. ET, ESPN) to play for the right to go to the World Cup Final on Sunday. The loser will play in the third-place game Saturday against the losing team of the other semifinal to be held Wednesday.

[UKRaddell]

Well done to the Mets. Always had a soft spot for them as they always seemed to be underdogs.
A bit like Manchester City.

[wolf78]

Two extra-time matches did them in. Ballack knows he got caught ball-watching on the first Italian goal, as did much of the otherwise stellar German defense. They played for penalties and got nichts. Shame.

I don't think they were playing for penalties, well at least not in the way England was playing for penalties. But the German team had a much harder match against Argentina, whereas Ukraine was easy prey.

Well, it's over for the German team. But all those Germany-bashers out there have to admit one thing: This was a fantastic game, both sides played top notch football.

The English team frequently said they deserved to win the World Cup because of their famous players. But where England play completely uninspiringly during the whole tournament, Germany really would have deserved to win. That's not saying Italy doesn't deserve it, too. It pains me to say, but they also played great.

So while I'm a bit sad, I think the "Nationalelf" can be proud of themselves, they're still young and players like Lahm, Podolski etc. will probably peak for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Great game of football tonight.

[Marcaurelio]

Two masterful gols, especially Grosso's diagonal.

Thanks for the support.

[romanesq]

Party on dude!

[FostersExport]

You thought England were playing for penalties?! I know Carragher came on but apart from that I didn’t have that impression. I don’t think they’re mad enough to play for penalties given our record.

You’re right that Germany played better than England though.

[UKRaddell]

Agree totally. Germany have been much better than England all World Cup.
Italy deserved it tonight, but Germany have done great this tournament.

[Marcaurelio]

"I think that’s unfair on Germany. They kept counterattacking. Not with the same gusto as Italy but that’s hardly surprising given their respective penalty records. Germany could have been far more negative if they’d wanted to be."

Germany played same football as with other matches - long shots from outside the penalty box. You can't do that with a tall goalie as Buffon, but they had no alternative with a strong Italian defense.

Ref was impeccable.

[jveritas]

Congratulations Italy!!! In today game the Italians played the best game in the tournament, better than any other team in any other match. They were almost perfect on defense, midfield and offense.

[UKRaddell]

"I don’t think they’re mad enough to play for penalties given our record"

I don't think we were specifically playing for penalties. But we were taking the attitude that that if we scored it was a bonus.
Teams with 10 men usually play more cautiously and we were no exception.

[romanesq]

Let the flag fly high and let the toast begin. A fine, fine victory done in spectacular fashion.

[wolf78]

[Marcaurelio]

"That first goal was something worth seeing."

Indeed, the first goal was truly spectacular. The second goal the German defense open up hoping for a last minute counter attack, although also well executed with finesse.

Thank God Lippi replaced Toni and let in Gilardino and Del Piero. Toni, unlike Gilardino, lacks finesse and touch and was constntly offside.

Great Pirlo - a true-and-tried regista.

[romanesq]

Italy showed their class. The discipline of execution on defense was a marvel.
Simply beautiful.

[Marcaurelio]

"THE JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tears are still running down my cheecks and sides of my nose.

Best match played by Italy. Lippi is changing the old style of playing catenaccio.

Forza Azzurri. Yes, we can 'til the end.

I wonder what Pele' has to say. Is he going to demean and belittle our Azzurri as he did in 1982 after the final and later at Giant stadium. I still have the sign that reads: Pele, to be world champions means to be the best.

[jveritas]

If Italy plays like this against either France or Portugal, it will win the World Cup.

[Eurotwit]

Kudos to Germany for playing some great football this cup, and for being wonderful hosts.

I hope you win the bronze.

Cheers.

[romanesq]

To enjoy this victory is enough for today. :)

[wolf78]

Italy showed their class. The discipline of execution on defense was a marvel.
Simply beautiful.

Yeah and if they stopped diving all the time, one could almost cheer for them. (You have to admit, the Italian team is the Greg Louganis of soccer). ;-)

In that sense: Go France! (Have I really just said that? Well, anyway, they deserve it, they only won the World Cup once, Italy thrice already.)

P.S.: I hope you get the irony, but too much gloating always makes me sarcastic.

[kabar]

Ref was impeccable

Just talked to my wife and daughter in Berlin. They said that the German commentators said that the refs did a lousy job and cost the Germans the game. I guess it depends on your perspective.

[Eurotwit]

Ballack seems to have picked up a nasty habit of diving as well.

He will fit straight into Chelsea FC.