Azzurri Hit, Swiss Miss
PK's Decide Mondays Action
Italy and Ukraine Advance

Italian District Sydney, Australia (n)- Italian head coach Marcello Lippi inserted prolific yet unproven (internationally speaking) striker Francesco Totti for the purpose of penalty kicks, in the 75th minute of an elimination game in the round of 16 against the upstart Socceroos of Australia. Playing a man down for almost half the game, Lippi realized the Azzurris best chance to win would come on penalty kicks, little did he know that the penalty kick would occur in the 95th minute and Totti was the only one shooting.

That is all Italy would need, as the Roman God lit up the back of the net despite the Australian keeper winning the guessing game against Totti. The regulation goal officially ended the game, for the first time in FIFA World Cup history. And with that, the celebration began from the evenly split Italian district in Sydney, to Meadow Road, to the streets of Italy and a mass impromptu rally went off at the Coloseum.

npocs first hand commentary
A wicked concoction of salsa and onions had me battling the clock just as the Italians were. Could I make it to the 90th minute and beyond to see overtime and have time for my much needed bathroom break or would I be sitting on the can for one of the biggest goals in my soccer viewing history.
I displayed incredble bravery, continuing to chance farts while I had to shit and waifing them in my brothers direction. But we have reached the 80th minute and I could wait no longer. The downstairs bathroom was being mopped and was out of commission so I made the dart upstairs, cranked the volume on my TV and settled in for what amounted to be a +10 minute crap.
The sound of the toilet flushing and subsequent turning on of the fan was quickly drowned out by yells from downstairs (FYI: The sounds unfortunately could not drown out the smell.) and Marcelo Balboa on my television set. It was not a goal, but what could it be.
I heard Dave O'brien say penatly kick and I nearly shit myself again, I sprinted down the steps and clutched arms with Nick, Jesse, Danny and Paul as Tottttttiiiii lined up for a goal kick after Fabio Grosso took one of the greatest dives of all time.
Totti plunged it into the back of the net just about the same time the upstairs bathroom could have used a plunger or two. And following respective bathroom breaks from Paul and Danny, the victory lap around the Italian embassy and block had begun.

It reminded me of Santa Rocco in a few ways. It consisted of Italians going around a block with music and flags while Americans sat on the porches wondering what the fuck is going on. I could have sworn I saw Galardi selling Italian Ice on his front yard. The party continued in the front yard of the Italian embassy with a dogpile and then the ceremonial re-enactment of the final seconds.
The mandatory Peroni was drank, and we were all left to bask in the Italian greatness as Italy is headed to the 3rd round, and one of the final 8 World Cup teams.

Next friday provides a barely more difficult challenge in Svechenko and Ukraine and probably more colon corrupting salsa. Ukraine went the distance with Switzerland and won on penatly kicks, stopping all four Swiss attempts. Friday is looking like the biggest day of the entire tournament thus far, with the legendary matchup of No. 2 and No. 3 with Argentina and host Germany followed by No. 5 Italy and No. 12 Ukraine.

With the final two second round games commencing tomorrow, we will have the updated final eight rankings Tuesday evening.

No. 1 Brazil (-1000) biggest favorite thus far
No. 14 Ghana (+550)

No. 6 Spain (-163)
No. 8 France (+120)

npoc says
Brazil 4-0
Spain 1-0

Lets take a look at that bracket

Collection of Headlines

A Day of PK's

Australian Coach Hiddink Blasts Italy After Loss

Swiss Missed

UKant Believe It

Ukraine Keeper Wins Battle of Nerves vs. Swiss

Italy Wins on Final Play

Ten-man Italy Stun Aussies

Australia 0-1 Italy; Last-gasp Totti

Keepers Save the Day as Totti Makes Amends

"Quotes"

'When in the 92nd minute, our defender headed into the area and was taken down for a nailed-on penalty, I think it was something fantastic,' Lippi said.
'And Totti converted it with real skill.'
Pressed about the penalty decision, Lippi said: 'There were two fouls on him. He didn't go down under the first and he carried on dribbling and then sustained another clear foul.

'In the second half, down to 10 men against 11 we suffered -- but still gave very little away.
'There was a real desire to succeed and real determination -- plus a bit of organisation because it is not easy to defend in 10.
'It's an indescribable joy,' he said of the victory. 'I'm really delighted. These lads showed great heart, great character and also great quality.'

Budweiser Man of the Match

Gianluigi Buffon

I thought I played well even though I had less to do than in the previous match against the Czech. I never thought the Australians would score, but in the second half I didn't think we would either. The events of Korea/Japan 2002 flashed before my eyes. I didn't have the courage to watch Totti's penalty. We think we can go all the way to the Final in Berlin, thats our dream.

Francesco Totti

I had no intention of trying a chip shot with the penatly. Lippi came to see me at two this afternoon and explained why he was leaving me out. I have no problem with him, he showed faith in me and picked me for the squad.

Gennaro Gattuso

I'd rather meet Ukraine than Switzerland beacuse the Swiss are better.

Timeline of Events from the PK heard round ItaliaTotttiiii

Goooaaal

Oh by the way, the Pirates have lost 11 in a row, the most since 1955, and they are only 1.5 games away from being the worst team in Major League Baseball officially. I would discuss these important occurrences on the road to 100 losses, but I hate to dampen the excitement of the Azzurri.

-n