Slovakia vs. Italy

24/6/10 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Slovakia 3-2 Italy

Goal Scorers: Robert VITTEK (25', 73'),Kamil KOPUNEK (89') and Antonio DI NATALE, (81) Fabio Quagliarella (92)

The Champions of the world... are going home. They have been shoved out of the tournament by Slovakia. Of all people, the Slovakians beat them, and they did it well. 'Forza Azzurri' did not exist today, no, it was a tired Italian team, happy at having won the '06 world cup, they simply did not have the strength to pull the entire thing off again. They were actually playing some sort of walking soccer. The altitude does seem to get to the players a bit, and so does the cold. Well done to the Slovaks, but it just makes it worse for the South Africans, all these minions got through, and they are just lying dead on the side.

I was not quite as sad as having the French go home, but I think it is rather depressing to have the Italians out. I'm going to miss Fabio Cannavaro, he has to be one of most favourite players. Oh, I kept jumping up and down in hope, but they just could not play.

Those last goals came at minutes when the Italian fans held their palms together, almost knowing that their beloved team would not let them down. That very day the fans had been walking around Sandton Square, happy and relaxed, but now the tears ran pretty. Alas, Quagliarella's exquisite curl into corner of net, voted goal of the day by FIFA came way too late.


It might take a few world cups to get over this loss, after all, Italy have won four world cups. They are celebrated soccer champions. I wish it was a heroic defeat, but this was just sad. And that is a sorry way to end matters. 

“I assume complete responsibility for this failure.  When a team goes into a match as important as this with fear in their stomachs and heavy legs, it’s because the coach hasn’t prepared them well enough mentally, physically and tactically, but above all mentally. I offer my apologies to Italian sport, everyone.”  said the Italian coach.


Marcello Lippi and Raymond Domenech are going to be shipping of to Antarctica.

Arrivederci Italia...

Italy vs Paraguay

14/06/10 Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Paraguay 1-1 Italy

Goal Scorers: Antolin Alcaraz [P] & De Rossi [I]

Cape Town welcomed the World Cup winners with dreadful icy rain and chilly winds. I was shivering from just watching the screen as the cold bit into the players. I don't know why they did not make Cape Town a covered stadium knowing that it is has an awfully wet winter.

The strategy of the Paraguayan players had one very important element; their kit. What were those socks about? They looked like court jesters. Of course, this troubled the highly fashion conscious Italians, who were blinded by the stripes and the colour coordination. Then the South Americans played better soccer.

I was rather looking forward to Cannavaro because he is one of my favourite players, and I think that song they play in the Nike ad when he saves the goal is hilarious. I'm rather sorry about it, but if its one thing that the Italian team was yesterday, it was old. They looked tired, and the rain did not help. The lanky goalkeeper looked especially tired, and when he apparently injured his back, had to be substituted by somebody more sprightly.

Paraguay played better in the first half, scoring a good goal and the Italians in the second half, after been stared down by Marcello Lippi. However, it was not good enough. Paraguay would have won if it were not for the clumsy half save by the goalkeeper resulting in a final Italian goal and Gattuso doing the customary head hold with one of his teammates. The goalkeepers are getting a bit worrying rather.

A good match for the Paraguayans, keeping the Azzurri Champions at a draw. Though the Italians need get a bit more upbeat, and start going for goal

Pepe's attempt at a bicycle kick, should be followed by many. I really want to see somebody do one, after all, it's on the logo.