A work colleague and Italy fan was watching this video nearby, and besides the fact it an incredible moment with Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero scoring in the last two minutes of extra time (game wiki here), I was struck by how things have changed since 2006, particularly for Germany.
Jens Lehmann in goal. Michael Ballack in midfield. There are some major continuities between now and then—leftback Phillip Lahm, Klose and Podolski up front. Interesting, Germany were in a 4-4-2. Arne Friedrich, now with the Chicago Fire, was in right back. Tim Borowski, now and then of Werder Bremen, played left midfield. Sebastien Kehl, still an impressive player and Dortmund captain, playing defensive midfield.
Compare these players however with the current roster: Mario Goetze, Mesut Oezil, Marco Reus, Mats Hummels, Holger Badstuber. This is like comparing your 2004 Dell to a Mac Book pro, to use the nerdiest analogy in Footy Blog history.
As for the Italy, perhaps it’s the glaze of history that’s rested on the 2006 World Cup winners, but for a few exceptions (Luca Toni, Fabio Grosso) the difference in career trajectories from their German counterparts is significant. Andrea Pirlo looks exactly the same, although in a more forward role, which is understandable.
’2004 dell to a macbook pro’ HAHA
Man this brings back so many memories, I remember watching this game with my family, back then we were, just one year old in Canada (Calgary). My brother and my dad were rooting for the germans, and I and my mom were for the Italians.
Just watching this now and watching the intensity of the commentators, the perfect pass from Pirlo, the perfect shot from Grosso, the sublime defending from Cannavaro, to the complete counter attack from Italy and the final nail in the coffin from DelPiero. What memories.
On Sunday me and my mom were watching the English, Italia game. After Pirlo scored that audacious penalty, she screamed goal. As soon as Italy won (I was downstairs), she turned to my sister and said “He must be supporting England, since I havent heard anything down there from him”. Oh I wanted to punch someone in the face.
This is one of the videos that i watch and gives me chills beyond chills. Every time i watch this video i watch it as a neutral, England runs red in my blood but i can only imagine what it would be like for an Italian fan and on the other hand a German Fan. this link here is a special angle of that goal from the 2006 fifa world cup movie. Great Post http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWujLMH1N8w&feature=related
Damn you, damn you all to hell.
Possibly the worst day of my life. Still getting sad when I watch this video.
But I believe we can win this time.
I think only Pirlo and Buffon remain for Italy. How’s that for a change? No Totti, Del Piero, Toni, Canna etc…etc…etc.
oh De Rossi…and Barz…I new I was forgetting