July 4, 2006
THE LATE SHOW
11th-hour goals lift Italy over Germany, 2-0

By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor

Dortmund, Germany -- Like an assassin knowing the exact time to strike, the Italians pulled out their knife and plunged it into the heart of Germany, not once, but twice Tuesday night.

That’s not just the National Team we‘re talking about, but the entire country.

The Italians scored two sudden, late and dramatic goals to surprise the favored Germans en route a 2-0 semifinal victory and a spot in Sunday’s World Cup final in Berlin. It was the first time the Italians had reached the championship game in 12 years since they lost to Brazil in the finals at USA ‘94.

The killer strikes were made by defender Fabio Grosso and extra-time sub Alessandro Del Piero, who both hadn't scored in the competition, produced the killer strikes in the 119th minute and 12 seconds into stoppage time, respectively.

The three-time world champions, who last won a world title in 1982 -- 3-1 victors over Germany -- will play the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal encounter in Munich between France and Portugal.

"This is the realization of a dream that has lasted a long time," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "If there was a team that was going to win this game, it was going to be us.”

What made the game even sweeter was that the Germans lost at Westfalenstadion, their impenetrable fortress, for the first time in 71 years. They had never lost there in 14 games (13-0-1) prior to Tuesday.

"To win in their own backyard -- there aren't any words that describe what I'm feeling right now," Del Piero said.

Added Lippi: "We played against 50,000 people."

The Italians have continued to win despite having a match-fixing scandal hanging over their heads, one that could demote Juventus, A.C. Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina to Serie B. Thirteen Italian World Cup players are on those teams, so it would be easy to get distracted from the task at hand. As it turns out, a sports tribunal is expected to rule on Monday, a day after the final.

"We went out there on the pitch with many things going on around us and now we can celebrate," said Grosso, who became a rather unlikely hero on Tuesday night.

Grosso, who scored only once internationally prior to Tuesday, broke a scoreless tie in a game that looked like it was heading toward dreaded penalty kicks. Midfielder Andrea Pirlo found Grosso on the right side of the penalty area and the Roma defender curled a perfect 12-yard shot to the far left corner and past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

Players on the Italian bench were so elated they spilled onto the field to celebrate. Time was running out for one of those patented German comebacks, but it was the Italians who swiftly struck again to leave no doubt.

This time Italian produced a quick counterattack that went from captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro to second-half sub Alberto Gilardino to Del Piero.

"I've had some criticism recently, but today I demonstrated that my desire is as great as anyone else's," Del Piero said.

The devastated Germans slumped to the ground in disbelief. They will play in Saturday's third-place game in Stuttgart, not exactly what they had in mind.

"It is an enormous disappointment and the mood is very low," Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "It is a bitter pill to concede two goals so near the end."

"They all had a big dream. They all had big goals. The dream didn't come true."

Despite playing at a loud and noisy stadium that clearly favored the hosts, the Italians were deserved winners. They hit the woodwork twice in extratime and placed 10 shots on goal to Germany's two, forcing Lehmann to continually work, making 10 saves and catching crosses.

Until the waning minutes, the match looked as though it was headed into extra-time, despite Italy's best opportunities.

"It would have been a great shame if we had not won this match on the pitch," Lippi said.

Italy's defense has proved a tough nut to crack. Every time the Germans tried to move the ball up, even in their half of the field, the Italians were with their men, step for step. The Italians have surrendered only one goal in six games -- a own goal in the 1-1 tie with the U.S. on June 17.
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