±«Óătv

hahaha, Italy is a mystery - but they are also able to change gears as they wish. So better watch out ;)

I'd like to tell you about the 2006 World Cup Fanposter also

The Fanposter will hang at the Fan Fest in Berlin on the day of the final game.
Fans can still upload their pictures online (it's entirely free service) and cheer for their country and post a greeting message.

Deadline is July 5th - it's really a cool initiative and especially worthy for fans that are not able to go to the world cup for themselves (like me :(

cheers, Mike

hahaha, Italy is a mystery - but they are also able to change gears as they wish. So better watch out ;)

I'd like to tell you about the 2006 World Cup Fanposter also

The Fanposter will hang at the Fan Fest in Berlin on the day of the final game.
Fans can still upload their pictures online (it's entirely free service) and cheer for their country and post a greeting message.

Deadline is July 5th - it's really a cool initiative and especially worthy for fans that are not able to go to the world cup for themselves (like me :(

cheers, Mike

I was living in Rome in 1982 when Italy won the World Cup that year and believe me, whatever the celebrations in Baden-Baden last night, if they get to the final book a cheap ticket and fly to Italy because if they win the country will go wild and you'll almost certainly get a free meal and drinks in the bars and restaurants that will fill after the game. Actually, its best to get inside as last time plates, pans, etc, were thrown into the streets as part of the celebration!

Every Englang win is celebrated with the same gusto in Cheshunt, Herts. Riot police, mounted police and at least 70 officers present for each game. They not only celebrate but have a good fight in the process. which would you rather?

It is a bit odd to see how you comment about the Italian player and about the "irratiting" comment about the fans celebrating. Some of that British attitude coming through, eh? Will have a good laugh at your boys later this week. :-)

ps. The Italians celebrate having fun, the British start riots and hurt people. Hmm.

Dear Phil,
you complain like a middle aged man that hasn't been invited to a neighbour's party. Their exhuberance may be because they realise that this may be the last celebration Italy have - Australia will run Italy ragged.
Whilst we cannot condone Marco Materazzi's awful tattoos and habit of playing like a south american defender from the 1970s it would be fairer journalism to comment on what was a rather good headed goal.
Is n't the cruel thin line between success and failure true for all teams, especially high achievers? Resorting to these cliches suggests that you are running out of original things to write.

Well done Daryne - you win the prize for the least informed, rascist and pathetic comment of the blog so far. Have you contemplated taking your own advice?

Italians do follow football with passion, they do know that there is a very fine line between going wild and rioting thats the italian spirit.

The supporters know quite well that the team has to improve if they do want to win the world cup... the team has got the potential, let enjoy a fine world cup with supporters enjoying themselfs and hopefully the police will go heavy on those few from whatever nation that try to spoil for everyone.

St George' Flag has been reclaimed from the far right, lets reclaim the beautiful game from the few drunken idiots and lets value the true supporters.

Man, let me say that your article is nothing nice. I am no enthusiastic about Italy's skills, I am not optimistic at all, a bit too Milanese-groundy sad grumpo, but a sound and useful critic to our way of playing is different from the spite flowing out of your words. Also, Materazzi might have had a bad time in England but he played great in Inter - although a bit too hard. He's something between a killer and a great defender. Good luck for your team, if there's any luck left in the storeroom (you used a lot of it with Paraguay, Trinidad and Sweden)

English fans racist?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Italian fans renowned for making monkey noises at black players?

Blimey!

Phil McNulty or Victor Meldrew? Talk about a party pooper.

So what if the Italians drive around keeping the good folk of Baden Baden awake until the early hours? If the Brazillians do the same, the sycophantic ±«Óătv reporters drone on endlessley about samba as though it were genetic.

i have to say that after watching italy play for the third time that if they win the world cup then goodnight!
this competition should be won by a team that plays to entertain which every neutral football fan wants to see and not by boring functional,tactical displays.
and i don`t think that england are that much better although i`d love to see them play with alot more flair!
the only sides i`ve seen that have impressed me so far have been argentina,spain and brazil yesterday,they are a joy to watch!

A little bit envious, aren't you Phil?
Italian are critical on thier team as much anyone but know when to rejoice in an important win. If they win the world cup they will tear the place down, but with music and laughter, not riots and violence that would happen in other "northern" countries.
Their is passion in their love for the "Azzurri", it brings pain and it brings joy; I know english cannot proove this feelings but don't make fun of a cultural aspect of another country hust because it's different than yours

We Italians know how to celebrate and also know how to criticise, unlike your lot, that all you can do is to drink yourselves stupid and run riots wheather you win or loose.
(most of the time you can't remember either as long as you fight) And as far as you are saying that we were celebrating as if we have already won the CUP, well that's a bit strong coming from you, since you have been doing this well before a ball was kicked (flags, flags, FLAGS...) !!! And How can anyone forget your 1966 win!! Impossible! its in the tele very month... You are so SAD

I write from Italy but - being an anglophile - my heart beats for the three lions. England are the best. I have been many times abroad and when I see husbands and wives, old and young people, all together supporting Beckham & Co. I can not imagine of hooliganism.
Be proud of yourself, English people.
I'm looking forward to see the cup in your hands. And on July 9th IT WILL HAPPEN!

Dear, Oh dear,

the english are whining again and this time is not "The Sun" that is pushing them but a ±«Óătv "journalist". You will probably just stop once people will aknowledge you being one of the top football countries in the world, and that means waiting at least for another two world cups (not world wars like you adore to moch the germans with, how noble of you).
If you want to knock yourself senseless with alcohol to party, do it, we will not complain. But do not criticise other people decent ways of partying and showing up their feelings and euphoria (so unkwown probably to cold dwellers like yourself).
Isn't it strange that the three teams that English hate so much are Argentina, Germany and Italy? Apart from Brasil they are considered around the world as the powerhouses of football...mmm, maybe a little bit jealous, or not?

The posts on here appear to indicate that it's the Italians and not the English who are rascist.
I interpreted the comments in the blog to be an indication that the Italians know how to enjoy themselves and make the best of the situation, unlike us English who just seem to see the negative side of any performance. The Italian team hardly looks likely to win the cup based on current performance (similar to England) but the fans celebrate each victory as it arises rather than worrying about where it will all end.

Given that the majority of Italy's media is owned by their now ex prime-minister Berlusconi, it is hardly suprising that liberal opinions are a somewhat unusual concept to this site's Italian contingent! I'm sure the English fans have received equally derogitary comments from the Italian media, but heh I'm not complaining!

Well, when it comes to football it doesn't matter who owns TVs in Italy. All the channels support our team. And if you want to blame us for having a bad opinion of english supporters I tell you that the image of hooligans keeping a man still on the ground and kicking his head as if it was a penalty is still fresh in my mind (AC Milan vs Leeds, the eve before). Thank God our cops came and clubbed those stupid heads open

SO here is a question for y'all - actually 2 questions:
who would you rather party with and who is the better team? Have a vote here - I'll post the results.

Hey come, lighten up everyone.

I was merely surprised at the gusto with which Italy's victory was celebrated in this German town.

It certainly wasn't a complaint and I don't doubt England's wins are celebrated in a similar fashion.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if Italy went a long way - and there would certainly be a celebration then!

It was just a shock to the system in this quiet, sedate place.

As for Materazzi, ask one or two Villarreal players how they feel about him after his elbow in the Champions League tie?

I don't think people are overreacting at all. As a Scottish Italian I am very disappointed with the Linekeresque smugness and sarcasm prevalent throught this article.

Materazzi made no fouls of any significane during the game and yet his past actions were raised and suggestion that this was 'Typical' of the Italian style of play.

Let's face up to facts that people are individuals and shouldn't be sterotyped by their nationality. I.e. Maldini was an incredibly fair and honest as a player as is Gattuso. Materazzi may be less so but this is not because he's Italian.

Strange that a ±«Óătv writer should suggest so when two of their pundits have done much worse than Materazzi. (Shearer who during his captaincy of England stamped on Neil Lennon's face and Leonardo who used his 'Samba style' to smash Tab Ramos'? face in during the World Cup 1994.

Perhaps you didn't mean to come across as you have but consider that as a Scots Italian who always talks of the Scots culture in a positive light when in Italy it would be nice if a Scot were to talk of Italy in the same way rather than always produce the same old tired stereotypes.

Anyways, Forza Italia! Noone likes us but who cares.

Dear Phil,

I appreciate your last message which probablyu will end this polemic. But please let me tell you that I think it was your mistake if this thing has escalated. If you juest had expressed the same things as in your latest post people would have understood you more easily; at a first read I too was surprised at your apparently vicious comments.
Regarding Materazzi...you are 90% right...he is a dangerous player but sometimes he can play great games as well

This article deserves Three yellow cards.

It's great that people over react - it's because we're all passionate about our football and our country! I think that the whole thread is due to a misunderstanding of the message that the blog is trying to give, but it's really wound people up! Very entertaining on a Friday.
I reckon that most English people probably moan about the type of people that give us a bad name - and most Italians probably do the same about the stereotypical Italians - BUT if anybody from another country says anything... As I say VERY entertaining!

I cant belive what a crowler paolo is, why he dosen't emigrate.
and john, 1966 was a set up,how can brazil the world champions lose in the first round and Italy lose to corea 6_0
and of course germany was ceated in the final, 1966 a sad year for football.

Fans are always keen to celebrate the victory of their team and here the question is in what way and how much they celebrate. In some extent it depends on the culture and custom of a nation. However, each nation has some distinct way to celebrate that reflects their culture. Italy has way that Angola or Ivory Coast does not. I hope to see the Italian fans in the next game in the same way.

Finally someone has written about how the only way England are going to win the cup is by hosting it and fixing it....Italy did the same thing in 1934 but went on to show the world that they were the best by winning it again in 1938.
I cant understand why everyone loves having a pop at Italy - I am British born but both parents are Italian - I have lived through the constant critism verging on racism from teachers to work colleagues and this is a view shared by my family and anglo-italian friends.
Yet if you go to Italy, they do not critise nations or people in this way. The attitude of some people in this great coutry, of which is mirrored in this article by Phil, is the same attitude shared by those that use St George to rally right wingers.

Let the football do the talking.

Thanks for the "crowler", mim, I am not planning to emigrate because I think you would prefer to see me far from your country.

Anyway, the over reacting was due to the bitter and snobbish tone used by Phil in his article; and since he's not the only one but indeed his style is very similar to many ±«Óătv articles on Italian politics, culture, football, etc..., I kinda lost my temper.

But at the end of the day, who cares. Let's just enjoy nice and "clean" football - a rare thing to see for us italians - and ciao a tutti!

Whoops,

I feel a bit sorry for Phil McNulty...tries to make an innocent comment about Italian (over)exuberance...and is now lynched by a rather humourless (not to say bigoted) collection of Italian fans.

Calma Tutti (or whatever you should say in Italian).

I love Italy...the people..the cities...the climate...the food ... but for goodness sake lighten up a bit.

I enjoyed watching first 10 days of World Cup in Italy...but please understand British sense of humour in
commentating on events in Germany.

We can take criticism of ourselves probably as well as any other country ... so are always a bit surprised when other countries respond so sensitively to the mildest
of teasing or provoking.

I am a big football fan and am completely aware of history of English hooligans (including Heysel disaster) but I think that our Italian friends are reacting to stereotypes maybe 10-15 years out of date.(3300 arrests at world cup so far...with "only" 130 from England)

p.s. Paolo from Milan is so worked up that he is responding to a comment aimed at the other "Paolo" who contributed.

Paolo... the anglophile from Italy - from your post, you seem like one of those bitter Italians who aren't ambitious enough to make a go of it, so you blame your circumstances - race, colour, religion etc - the grass isn't greener. If you lived in England for a few years you might realise that.

Oh, yeah, you're right. I've confused mim's comment, thinking it was aimed at me - my apologises mim. However, Mr blue eyes, I don't think our reaction is without reason. As I said before, that of Phil McNulty is a pretty common attitude. That's why when another article like that comes out we start up. I don't think it's bigotry to complain about being pictured like senseless noisy irritating people. Sense of humour? I prefer J. Kaplaka Jerome's books hehe...

boring boring italians

English fans can "take [the]critisism" of being hooligans, who chuck cafe furniture, disrespect their hosts, goad the authorities...etc??... ok, fair enough... well done.

But, i imagine it's a bit of a surprise to be critisised for partying a bit too much... I think someone has to lighten up, and it's not the Italians.

Well done to Phil McNulty for eating some humble pie about Owen Hargreaves in this article on the ±«Óătv Sport site:

To Al Weston. Are you sure you were watching football and NOT cricket when England was playing? May be you got confused, never mind there is another one in 4 years time. Keep in touch and I will keep you informed when England plays (provided England will qualify that is)

Australia has just been robbed of a well-deserved place in the quarter finals! The last second penalty was NOT a penalty; full marks to Lucas Neill for a brilliant tackle and then to Fabio Grosso for falling over Neill. Italy were an embarrassingly poor excuse for a football team but a fine acting troupe!

forza italiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Mike Ellis, are you completely blind?
Australia are a joke of a football team and were never going to score, especially not against the best defence in the world without question. Italy had already had every decision in the game, and the cup, go against them - the penalty decision was the first one to actually go their way! Did you see the sending off which completely ruined the game?
Italy are the only team not to have been scored against......the only goal they conceeded was an own goal....are you sure you know anything about football?
As for diving.....well any England fan can remeber the only way england beat germany in 1986 was with Liniker diving twice to win 2 penatlies! Who is teaching who?
Why do some fools like having a pop at Italy? Is it jealousy?

papagone. switzerland didnt concede a goal all world cup either. and an own goal is a goal, so your argument there is out the window and makes us question your knowledge of the game... it wasnt a penalty. there was nothing lucas neill could have done, and australia havent had many decisions go there way either. japan - the ref even said he was wrong when schwarzer was impeded as nakamura scored. how can you say australia are a joke to then win that game in the final minutes against the asian champions. brazil - the foul count was ridiculously in favour of brazil, thanks to the japanese tactics of making us out to be dirty players. croatia - 3 yellow cards to one player and a blatant penalty turned down. I think you were going a bit over the top with your comment. and much respect to italy, they defended greatly especially for a team with 10 men but it wasnt a penalty. the game should have gone to extra time when the fresh legs and extra man would have allowed australia to score. we also must remember cannavaro hand balled a few minutes prior to tottis goal.

menyarky , sorry pal, but you clearly dont know what YOU are on about - Switzerland HAVE conceeded a goal which was scored by the other team now, whereas Italy has not - quite simple really.
Are you sure! Australia would never have scored, it should never have been a red card in which case Italy would have sown it up in the secod half - no one has beated Italy since 2004, wake up! It takes more than 1 decision to go against you to lose a cup - Italy are the ones that have concistently had decisions go against them over the years and all they get is grief.
Coglione

Your idiotism is very large,you are a pantomime villain central casting and you are desperate to get an oscar,because you never had one and if you had it was just by luck as everybody know.But the dirty par of yourself is coming out in what you are saying and this come from the streets as you.
You are a verbal hoolligan and this is why you do not like to say something about the english hoolligans,but just speak about Materazzi.
Are you a grey idiot?
You did not disgust yourself yet?

Your sincerely Teretzka

Are you a desperate?
Normally the deperates speak like you.
But what about your por sarcasm and that england look like who desn't have a head and require a swedish head?
Have you same poor sarcasm about?
Your sincerely

Are you a desperate?
Normally the deperates speak like you.
But what about your por sarcasm and that england look like who desn't have a head and require a swedish head?
Have you same poor sarcasm about?
Your sincerely

Are you a desperate?
What about that england,look like who
does't have a head and require a swedish head?
Have same poor sarcasm about it?
Your sincerely Teretzka

Can you have sarcasm about it?
The English referee has paid the price for his yellow card blunder in the Australia versus Croatia game when he booked Josip Simunic three times.
He isn't a pantomime villain central casting?
Your sincerely Teretzka

Papagone, you are so blind. If you look at the playback, it is obvious that Lucas Neil did not foul the Italian player. The Italian player ought to get a medal for playacting. The Aussies played a clean game. Italy did not deserve the penalty decision. I hope Ukraine beat Italy. If not, surely they will be beaten in the next round.

Papagone, you are so blind. If you look at the playback, it is obvious that Lucas Neil did not foul the Italian player. The Italian player ought to get a medal for playacting. The Aussies played a clean game. Italy did not deserve the penalty decision. I hope Ukraine beat Italy. If not, surely they will be beaten in the next round.

Papagone, you are so blind. If you look at the playback, it is obvious that Lucas Neil did not foul the Italian player. The Italian player ought to get a medal for playacting. The Aussies played a clean game. Italy did not deserve the penalty decision. I hope Ukraine beat Italy. If not, surely they will be beaten in the next round.

Ai lin you call other people blind, but cant you see, you sent the same message 3 times.
ciao bella

Gees Guys, I can see why you Europeans have had so many wars, take it easy, its only a game of football for crying out loud, settle down....
from an Australian point of view, the game against Italy was ruined by the bad refereeing decisions, thats just my humble opinion, it was still a good game to watch, even though we lost, at the bitter end, but hey, its only a game, and we couldn't beat the italians when they had a man sent off, a yellow would of been more appropriate and then maybe the game would of been more entertaining, the final penalty was very unfortunate fpr our boys, but our defender actually fell to the ground first, infront of the attacking italian, he may as well have given him a written invitation to try for a penalty, if it was a dive, it was a damn good one which earnt his side the win, it's not like the brazilians or Pommy's wouldn't do the same, I bet me lefty that they would.
Now the Rugby Union world Cup & the ashes, we let you guys have them back so you can clean polish them up for us, we will be taking them back very soon.

Ted, you are finally somebody with sense & reason. Anyone can show you hours of previous video footage of world cups where people have dived, fouled and not been booked, had goals disallowed for no reason, red cards, wrong offsides etc. The pommys actually are one of the best at it!
It's a funny old game - decisions alwaysa going the wrong way - look at long term consistency to see who REALLY are the best teams in the world - and they are Brazil, Argentina, Italy & Germany. Any australian still crying about the penalty should watch the game again and see Cahill try to get a Penalty by diving in the Italy box. It works both ways guys!
Aussies will be back and will be better, i'm sure of it. Until then, FORZA AZZURI!

Good on you Ted, you are a breath of fresh air.

Hi everyone!

As a Canadian chick, it's very entertaining to read you all exchange insults and barbs. Such passion!

The games have been exciting and fun to watch... may I say, SOCCER is my next favorite game besides HOCKEY of course!

Enjoy, have a beer together & may the best team win!

Love from Canada!

From this blog I understood that Italians like party to party a lot, English have no idea what partying means (it isn't riots or kicking someone's head or getting drunk) (they also fixed the 1966 Cup), Ted from down-under is the only one making sense in this blog (Australia will get the Cup before England gets it again), and Canadian chicks get excited watching football (you may never ever call it soccer, Mia). I guess I will have to find an Italo-Canadian chick…Mia, are you half Italian?
PS: Italy WON yesterday!!! FORZA AZZURRI

From this blog I understood that Italians like party to party a lot, English have no idea what partying means (it isn't riots or kicking someone's head or getting drunk) (they also fixed the 1966 Cup), Ted from down-under is the only one making sense in this blog (Australia will get the Cup before England gets it again), and Canadian chicks get excited watching football (you may never ever call it soccer, Mia). I guess I will have to find an Italo-Canadian chick…Mia, are you half Italian?
PS: Italy WON their 4th World Cup yesterday!!! FORZA AZZURRI

Sorry! FOOTBALL... we call it soccer here in Canada?!

Mother: German
Father: British

My name - a mystery?! I think my mother liked the Hollywood actress Mia Farrow at the time I was born...

Congrats Italy! :)

When i started to watch the game i thought it was a reply of the ghana Italy game, but some one said, no no its the final, ok
Mia comes from the frase, bella mia,
bella{beauty),mia(my)
Italian daddys use to call they doughthers.