The Brain of view

Italy are the world champions for the fourth time after beating ten-man France with penalty kick 5-3 after 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. France did a mistake by sending David trezeguet for the penalty kick and he miss it. That opened the door for Fabio grosso to fire the spinning spot kick past Fabien barthez and spark the celebrations all the way for Italy.

Here are the drama before and after the world most spectating sports on earth.
German midfielder David Odonkor (L) and forward Lukas Podolski celebrate with the fans at the so-called Fan Mile at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, July 9, 2006. Germany took a third rank in the World Cup, beating Portugal 3-1 in Stuttgart on Saturday.

French supporters wave national flags over cars on the Champs Elysees in Paris, Sunday, July 9, 2006 a few hours before the soccer World Cup final between France and Italy to be played in Berlin, Germany.
France's Zinedine Zidane (10) scores from the penalty spot against Italy during their World Cup 2006 final soccer match in Berlin July 9, 2006.
Italy's Marco Materazzi (gesturing) celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal against France during their World Cup 2006 final soccer match in Berlin July 9, 2006.

Referee Horacio Elizondo shows the red card to France's Zineidine Zidane during the final of the soccer World Cup between Italy and France in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Sunday, July 9, 2006.

Italy's Fabio Grosso (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring the winning penalty during the penalty shootout in the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006.


Italy's Fabio Cannavaro (C) lifts the World Cup Trophy as he celebrates with team mates after the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006.

Italy's, from left, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Fabio Cannavaro, Filippo Inzaghi and Fabio Grosso celebrate with the World Cup trophy after the final of the soccer World Cup between Italy and France in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Sunday, July 9, 2006. Italy won 5-3 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw after extra time.
France's David Trezeguet reacts to his miss during the penalty shootout in the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006.
Italy's coach Marcello Lippi smiles as he looks at the World Cup trophy during a news conference in Duisburg July 10, 2006. Italy defeated France 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out to win the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday.

Italy are deserved world champions after this narrowest of triumphs over France. In doing so, they buried the ghosts of USA 94 and climbed above Germany as the most successful European team in FIFA World Cup history with four wins. For France and Zidane there was no fairy-tale ending and instead they are left to reflect on a bitter ending to an unexpectedly long adventure.

Posted by julie on Thursday, July 13, 2006 at 4:41 PM | Permalink