Germany and their coach Jurgen Klinsmann were left shattered after two Italian goals in extra-time handed the hosts a 2-0 loss in the World Cup semi-final.
Klinsmann’s side bowed to last-gasp goals from Fabio Grosso and substitute Alessandro Del Piero in Dortmund, where Die Mannschaft had not lost since 1935 and he conceded that he felt bitter disappointment.
Gloria Gaynor’s iconic disco classic “I Will Survive” was used by France as their anthem on the march to the 1998 World Cup title – eight years on it’s a phrase rather than a song that’s inspiring Zinedine Zidane and the rest of les Bleus in Germany.
France’s tireless veterans were counting on more inspiration from Zinedine Zidane when they take on well-drilled Portugal for a place in the World Cup final against Italy.
The Italians booked their place in Sunday’s World Cup final in Berlin late Tuesday with a 2-0 extra-time win over hosts Germany that set off celebrations in Rome and mourning in German cities.
Germany has wept bitter tears over the 0-2 loss to Italy by Jurgen Klinsmann’s young national side at the football World Cup but took heart in the host nation’s surprisingly long run.
Billed as a hot new talent ready to make his mark on the world stage, Theo Walcott instead spent the World Cup twiddling his fingers on the England bench and sightseeing in Baden-Baden.
Coach Raymond Domenech has imposed a news blackout ahead of France’s World Cup semi-final against Portugal as he seeks to prevent complacency seeping in after the stunning win over Brazil.
He’s worried reports of all the euphoria back home generated by knocking out the defending champions in Saturday’s 1-0 win will distract his high flying veterans from Wednesday’s last four clash in Munich.
German dreams of reaching the FIFA World Cup Final on home soil died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final as 2-0 semi-final winners on Tuesday, 4 July 2006.
Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, one of the most famous Asian players of his generation, has announced his retirement from professional football, his website said.
“I will never go out onto the pitch again as a professional football player, but I will never give up football,” said the 29-year-old Nakata, whose third World Cup ended in a 4-1 defeat to defending champions Brazil.
