At Last - A Proper Football Match!

Germany 0 - 2 Italy


Make no mistake about it this was a great match. The players were great. The goalkeepers were great. The referee was great. The fans were great.


The result was in doubt until the last two minutes of extra time, when Fabio Grosso beat the impeccable Jens Lehmann. Even at this late stage the game was not over. Germany pushed forward seeking an equaliser, but it was Italy through Del Piero, who scored again.


It was hard to separate these two teams on the night. Suffice to say that this was a football feast, and it could have gone either way. Italy were, perhaps, slightly more skilful, but Germany were possibly stronger. That is not to say that Italy were not strong, or that Germany were not skilful. Both these sides deserve the highest praise for demonstrating what the game of football should be about. It was a clean fought, competitive game with both teams contributing to the spectacle.


It was unfortunate that there had to be a loser, and in a sense there wasn't, because the game of football benefited immeasurably. Perhaps it was as well that it didn't go to a penalty shoot out, which would have been a cruel way to eliminate either side.


Well done Italy. Well done Germany, and thank you for providing a night to remember. It is difficult to imagine, that the remaining semi final or the final, can better this which must rank as one of the best games ever, and surely the best of the tournament so far.


Tags:
soccer and football
soccer and football