ITALY WINS 4TH WORLD CUP, ZIDANE LEAVES IN SHAME
BERLIN July 10, 2006 (AFP)
LEBANON: D'ALEMA, ITALY BEATS FRANCE
LIKE IN THE CUP
LAPPEENRANTA, Finland September 2, 2006 (AGI)
REMATCH WITH ITALY IS NOT ABOUT REVENGE: FRANCE
PARIS September 5, 2006 (AFP)
Ah, but the Italian Foreign Minister's impolitic remark did not go wanting for a French response -- a response in turn that cannot be answered.
PARIS September 8, 2006 (The Age) - France gained a small measure of revenge for its World Cup final defeat by toppling Italy 3-1 in Paris in the heavyweight clash of the Euro 2008 qualifiers on Wednesday.Lyon forward Sidney Govou got France off to a dream start despite not having played for his club side this season, volleying home a William Gallas cross in the second minute. France was full of swagger and penetration, but luck was on its side as Gallas was clearly offside in the build-up to the goal.
Still, it was only a matter of time before the French doubled their lead and luck again played a part as Arsenal talisman Thierry Henry's shot was deflected off Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro to leave Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon wrong-footed and grasping at thin air instead of the ball. But, only two minutes later, Italy was back in it as AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo sent over a teasing free-kick for club teammate Antonio Gilardino to escape the attentions of five French defenders and head home. Govou sealed the victory with a headed goal from Bayern Munich full-back Willy Sagnol's cross in the second half.
We grant that sport, as in life, has a good measure of chance. But a 3-1 victory is pretty conclusive. Italian play was more inadequate than hapless. And Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema has had a humbling lesson in curbing petty metaphor.
PFFT (What is this?): Diplomatic curse 4 | Rayonnement français 3½
