The 2006 World Cup in Germany
A booksmusicfilmstv.com surreal take on the footie fest in Germany
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Germany's World Cup hopes died in this gripping semi final at the Westfalenstadion. Italy, though, deservedly won a place in Sunday's World Cup final, but they left it late.

The Italians showed their attacking intent very early on, when Francesco Totti unleashed an incredible free kick from 35 yards, though 'keeper Jens Lehmann comfortably saved. Both teams, however, were positive from the start, and this was to be a game of high technical quality, if having few real chances. Italy had the first real chance, after a quarter of an hour, when Simone Perrotta was played in by Totti, but Lehmann was quickly off his line to save. A good block from German defender Christoph Metzelder then stopped Luca Toni's close range shot. Bernd Schneider then shot over from a good position, after a fine German move. This was followed by a Mauro Camoranesi header, from a Andrea Pirlo free kick, which just went over for Italy. The Italians shaded the first half, and their goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon didn't have a save to make.

The second half saw Germany having the best chances to score. A great run by Miroslav Klose was thwarted by Buffon's brave save at the German striker's feet. Then a good turn by Lukas Podolski saw him get in a shot from close range, with Buffon reacting quickly to parry, but only to Arne Friedrich, who blasted over. The game seemed destined for extra time, and so it proved.

Italy, who have a dreadful record in penalty shootouts, seemed well aware of that fact as they stormed forward in the first few minutes of exta time. Substitute Alberto Gilardino burst into the German penalty area in the first minute of extra time, cut inside Michael Ballack, but then scuffed his close range shot and it came back off the post. In another Italian attack shortly after, Gianluca Zambrotta thumped a shot against the German crossbar. Germany's Podolski then headed a great chance wide from sub David Odonkor's cross. Another Italian sub, Alessandro Del Piero, then had a great chance to score, but hesitated in the German penalty area, allowing Lehmann to save. Seconds later, Podolski's stinging drive brought out a fine save from Buffon, as the game began to get stretched. Del Piero then flashed another good chance wide. Lehmann was called into action again, making a fine save from a long range Pirlo shot. But from the resulting corner came the dramatic finale. Del Piero's corner ended up at Pirlo's feet, and his astute pass found Fabio Grosso, who curled in a wonderful left foot strike. Grosso then ran away in a manic imitation of Marco Tardelli's famous goal celebration from the 1982 World Cup final - against the then West Germany. Then Italy put the seal on their fine performance with the last kick off the game. Del Piero received Gilardino's clever reverse pass, and then calmly curled his shot into the top left hand corner.

Michael Ballack, Germany's talisman, didn't have a great game, but Fabio Cannavaro, equally important for Italy, did, and looked the best defender in the world. Also, the late suspension of Torsten Frings, for pushing Argentinian substitute Julio Cruz, probably affected Germany and Ballack. Germany, then, still can't beat Italy at a major finals, but it should be remembered that the Italians came into this tournament with a long unbeaten record, and with one of the all-time great coaches in Marcello Lippi. Even with the loss of key defender Alessandro Nesta for much of these finals, Italy were always going to be formidable opponents. Germany have had a good World Cup. Their football under Jurgen Klinsmann is the most exciting its been since the Gunter Netzer/Franz Beckenbauer European Championship winning side of 1972.

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.