Finally, Italy

In a World Cup semifinal that doesn't get frenzied until overtime, the Italians hit two posts before Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero rip late goals to beat Germany 2-0. Italy will play France or Portugal for the Cup.

Italians Strike Late, Beat Germans 2-0 to Reach Finals

Azzurri! Italians take to the streets in Cup celebration

ROME -- Exulting fans in Italy tore through the streets on foot, on their bicycles, mopeds and cars late Tuesday, shouting, honking their horns and setting off fireworks after the Azzurri made it to the World Cup final.
"Forza Azzurri!" they rejoiced as they hit the cobblestoned streets of central Rome.
In the northern port city of Genoa, people lit fireworks and set off sirens. Fans in Venice converged on the city's historic St. Mark's square, waving flags and setting off fireworks before groups of dejected German tourists.

Italy Break German Hearts



Italian Stallions

Pirlo said: 'It was a fantastic match, full of emotions and a dream I have had since childhood has come true - I am to play in a World Cup final.

Blue Them Away



In a match no team deserved to lose, Italy booked its place in the World Cup final by breaking Germany's heart and winning 2-0 in extra time at Dortmund's Westfalen stadium.

Italy Attacks To Avoid The Shutout


Germany Groans as Italian Goals End Dream

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) - Italy has lost so many big games on penalties it knew it couldn't risk going out that way again.
Coach Marcello Lippi had four forwards on the field in the final minutes of the Tuesday's 2-0 extra-time win over Germany in the World Cup semifinals.

The right team won. Italy was the epitome of beautiful soccer and deserved to win the game for flair, tactics and ball movement alone. The two goals really helped, natch.

Germany Falls to Azzurri Again

Italy Tops Host To Reach Cup Final

With scandal tearing apart the national sport back home, Italy kept plowing through soccer’s premier event Tuesday with a last-minute win just when it seemed a penalty shootout was inevitable.

Stingy Italy Advances to Cup Final

Italy Strike Late to Break Hosts Heart

Italy maintained their 12-year cycle of FIFA World Cup™ Final appearances - 1970, 1982, 1994 and now 2006 - by scoring two late goals at the end of extra time to extinguish the hopes of a home nation who, in a tense semi-final, suffered defeat in Dortmund for the first time.

Fans celebrate after watching a giant screen televising the World Cup 2006 semi-final match between Italy and Germany, at Duomo square in Milan July 4, 2006. Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero grabbed two goals in the final two minutes of extra-time to puncture the German World Cup party and send Italy into the final 2-0.

Soccer for Italians is not just about sport — it is an expression of cultural identity. Only in Italy could the entire country become outraged when it was discovered that team member Mauro Camoranesi, a naturalized Argentinian, did not know the words to the national anthem. On other teams, the players barely look up during the anthem. In Italy, they're expected to belt it out.

Italy Punches Ticket To Berlin

Italy's 2-0 semifinal win over Germany was historic and definitely one to remember.

All the Azzurri did tonight was hand Germany its first loss ever in the lion's den of Dortmund, the first blemish in a 15-game run that stretched back to 1935. Talk about historic.

Italy's Late Late Show

Jurgen Klinsmann's World Cup dream was destroyed by two Italy goals at the end of extra-time as Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero struck to secure a place in the final. Klinsmann's Germany team seemed to be an unstoppable force, heading for Sunday's showpiece in Berlin.

But, with the semi-final less than two minutes away from a penalty shoot-out, Grosso fired Italy into the lead in the 119th minute.
Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann, outstanding all tournament, could do nothing to keep out the curler from the left-back.

A minute later and substitute Del Piero made it two, sending delirious Italy into their first World Cup final since 1994.
Marcello Lippi's team celebrated on the pitch as the whole of Germany sank to their knees.

Lippi Pins Italy's Win On Mindfield Dominance

Italy Rewarded For Amibtion As late Double Strike Devastates Brave Hosts

Germany's Loss To Italy In World Cup Semifinal Deflates an Entire Nation

Italy Victory Celebrations On In Melbourne, and Around the World


Italy's Totti Nears New Career Highlight With Possible World Cup Title



Italy Survives Extra Time Torture



Italy to Berlin, Wins Dramatic Semi-Final





First Person Account
npoc, Nick, Jesse, Paolo, Nick, Danny, Uncle Tony, Paul and Joe, and other family gathered on this forth of July to celebrate our nationalism and patriotism. Unlike others on the block, ours involved Soccer, Italy, Wine, Cheese, Suprasatta and The World Cup Semi Final.

In all my years watching sports, only the Stillers SuperBowl compares to how nervous I felt. My Gilardino jersey was drenched, I was unable to eat or even look at beer or food.

The day in text messages

July 4
Devin
2:25 p.m.
Germany!

Devin
2:51 p.m.
I want Germany to advance, I got 50 on it. Happy 4th my man. And we got our jobs back!

Ryan
4:30 p.m.
That dude that just got hurt (Gattuso) looks just fucking like you

Palma
5:35 p.m.
Vincimi

Larkin
5:45 p.m.
Pack your bags, we're going to Toronto

Ritter
5:47 p.m.
OMG, what a goal, is your house still standing

Vincy
6:02 p.m.
Andiamo Toronto, Forza Azzurri

Auge
6:42 p.m.
UqGW5fdE2

Paolo
10:34 p.m.
I dreamed I was a muffler last night
I woke up all exhausted

Palma
10:52
Cuz I'm all in for Toronto, Azzurri

Grosso's shot stretched the back of the net and an instant celebration went off like I have never witnessed before. Jumping, hugging, falling, piling on, tears, yelling, cheers, victory lap, yelling, Azzurri, Azzurri, and before we could catch our breath....

GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLl
Del Piero
More jumping, hugging, falling, collapsing, piling, singing, dancing, more tears.


-n