WC final Mon, 10 Jul 2006
Last night was amazing getting to experience the final at the fan fest in Berlin. I have had no chance to update the site since I left Mannheim and have a lot to post about but for today I wanted something current up and what is more current than the final of the world's largest sporting event. I got to be in the thick of it amongst both French and Italien fans underneath Brandenburg gate and just metres from the Reichstag. The mood was incredibly intense as both team's fans and thousands from around the world were gathered. I was impressed by the play of both teams though in the late second half and overtime periods both teams made foolish decisions. Italy's was to play very casually and it seemed as if they didn't care if they scored or not. France as a team cannot be blamed however Zinedine Zidane committed one of the worst fouls I have seen using his head as a ram against one of the Italian players. A player with his experience and playing in perhaps his last game should never have done such a thing. Even his coach cheered the decision to have him sent off and rightly so. A powerful bit of footage was of Zidane walking past the World Cup trophy on his way out after getting the red card. As much as I hate penalties and feel it was no way to end the match, both teams could have avoided it but didn't and in the end Italy came out on top which hopefully all who read this probably know. The following videos are from moments during the game at fan fest with plenty of crowd footage. I will add further posts in a few days and finally get some new pictures up.
France's goal
Italy's goal
Italy wins it
More of crowd