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We'll see

Forget about "Bild", that paper ist just as stupid as your tabloids in England... :(

BILD's northern German (from Hamburg)sense of humour is close to the English sense of Humour displayed by The Sun and the likes.
Don't ever forget: It is suppossed to be funny, not meaning to truly insult anyone.

Of course, it is a question of taste whether you like it or find it pathetic. (Remember Klinsmann as German Wehrmacht soldier as illustrated by the Sun in 1996?)

The Italians are always crap to begin with but they get better all the time and only give their best when the opposition is tough. They were written off in 1982 but Rossi and co. taught the Brazilians and Germans how to play effective football. Let's say 3-0 for Italy, it will be such a drubbing for the young and inxperienced German team I am afraid that Stalingrad will feel like a victory in comparison.

Schveini,

we've been bad boys: we made FIFA bend rules bend to get Frings excluded from the match! Poor fella, besides being an irreplaceble player like Maradona he did not do anything wrong, and the bad Italians conjured againt him by forging a video footage that went live in various TV channels.
You are right, instead of playing the semifinal against the Australian that would have made easy your way to the world cup - that you have the right to have for having been a decent host to foreign supporters....but isn'it your job, really? - you have to play against Italy......
Poor Germans, everybody is trying to keep your worldcup away from you!

Ralph & Schweini

Are you so scared of the italians tonight you are taking it all out in print!!!! Gentlemen, you talk about the past past past past. Are you aware we are now playing the 2006 WC??
The Italians have gone about this WC despite all the recent adversity, with my & many others utmost respect. They do not talk about winning the tournament (england & germany)they talk about having a great tournament for their countrymen & women. They have been ridiculed in the german press for nothing other than eating pasta. If this is the only problems the italians have then god forgive the germans who tonight will feel the wrath of not only a magnificent football side, but of a whole nation.
Guys, get a life & discuss what is happening now not 20 years ago.
Italy 3-0 Germany

FORZA ITALIA

I am italian, proud of Italy, not happy for how Italy is playing nowadays. I fint stupid many critics I've read on internet recently, in the same way is so stupid the comment by Schweini.
forgotten everything.
a little note:
where I live, in the northern part of Italy, we are used to share the sand of our beaches with germans, and in these places I have always seen a very special friendship between deutchland and italy. germans love italians in the same way italians love germans.
the great feeling there's always been between us makes so particularly special the match of this evening; in whichever direction it will go, not important. it's italy-germany, the best match of the world, ever!

Angelo:

I am not talking about twenty years ago, but right now - the corruption trial is going on right now as we are read this. I do thing the references to Pasta and Spaghetti in rags like Bild do nothing - they are just as bad as the Sun in Britain talking about Hitler, Sunbeds and Sauerkraut.

I do however believe that if Italy win tonight it would be a travesty for the world game. I would even say that if they were not playing Germany.

I have some pasta in the fridge by the way, and hope to be eating it tonight by way of celebration. Washed down with a couple of bottles of Hefe-Weizen, naturally.

Well, personally I find unpleasent the usual boring muscular play of Germany. Yet, if tonight the germans, like cinderella, will be transformed in a spectacular team, then they should deserve to reach the final. All before midnight, of course.

Alessandriod, have you been watching the same competition as the rest of us have, or just some recordings of Korea/Japan 2002?

The German style of play is changed dramatically. They have been without doubt the most positive and dynamic team at this tournament, along perhaps with Argentina and tne very unlucky Elfenbeinkueste.

@ matteo

thank you for your nice words and @ all Italian readers: Please don't take the crap too seriously which the German yellow-press ist making up!

It was Frings' own fault and not the Italien press which made him miss the forthcoming game.

@Spaghetto

If you want to indulge in some Stalingrad feeling you would need to start the game with 88 italian players against 11 german ones and end it with about 300. With such numbers a victory shouldnt be that tough I believe.
But if it stays 11 on 11, well than anything is possible, including an entertaining soccer match with a german winner at the end. ;)

Matteo:

I too want to see a great game amico. I just can't see it with the way the Azzurri have been playing at this tournament.

And I am sure you would also like to see the scandal and corruption forced out of the game in Italy. If I was Italian I would not be too proud if my team won the WC only to later find out that they were complicit - directly or indirectly - of taking bribes to fix Serie A games.

I have nothing against Italians or Italy - it's just their football I don't like! It's the same with Argentina - I love the country and the people, but cannot stand the way they do things on the football pitch. They are all fine when they are winning, but when things go badly, you don't want to be in their way (like Per Mertesacker).

Rule number one: first win the match, then declare victory.

I hope Italy wins...
Oh, and Portugal too, of course

Schweini,

Since you are so righteous, how about sharing some facts about German referee Robert "call me Robby" Hoyzer ? Any special reason why he and his accomplice Dominik Marks are not officiating in the World Cup ?

I'm supporting Germany now that England are out. Germany have played good team work football, whereas Italy have played their usualy style of football mixed with referee subverting.

I'll change my mind if the Italian players manage to stay on their feet for the first 3 mins of the game.

It won't happen though, they'll soon start dropping like flies and rolling about at the slightest brush!

@ Schveini
The match fixing scandal has nothing to do with the worldcup. That is a mess of the Italian FA.
In the ranks of the teams involved you can find Brasilians, French and so on.
You can associate the worngdoings of ac milan, juventus, fiorentina with the participation of the Italian team to the WC only if you look at it using the stereotype goggles: all Italians are mobsters and corrupt and cheaters....

Whatever the score tonight I just hope that the refereeing will be of a higher quality than recent games.
Ungentlemanly conduct used to be a word used in the beautiful game, where did this rule go?

Alf Tupper in the Beano would never of pushed the Ref to give a teammate a red card....

Having witnessed the worst refereeing ever in a Major tournament, having witnessed the cheating of so called super stars, having witnessed good quality teams not progressing because of wrong decisions. Surely it is time for FIFA to appoint the 4th video official, introduce reviews of suspect cheating and ban the players accordingly.
The cheating problem would soon disappear鈥nd teams who deserve to be in major finals will be there.
I鈥檓 English and proud of it, my team didn鈥檛 play well, however was an Argentine the right choice for the man in black for the game?
Referees should control games on the merit of their ability not on FIFA麓s political structure.
The World Cup should be just that 鈥 demonstration to the world of how football can be played at the highest level.
No cheats in Tennis, Cricket, etc, Pro Golfers even call penalties on themselves.

This one's really got "Draw" written all over it. So that means pennos which is where the fun starts.

Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't the Italians got a WC penno record second in awfulness only to our own? So, Germany 4-3 on penalties.

This one's really got "Draw" written all over it. So that means pennos which is where the fun starts.

Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't the Italians got a WC penno record second in awfulness only to our own? So, Germany 4-3 on penalties.

to Schweini 7:

i'm Italian, just to say that i'm proud that the match fixing scandal has exploded to clear - hopefully - the italian football. what i'm proud about is that, in Italy, it is still possible that such scandals are not buried and come to the fore (it was similar with the bribes in the Nineties, Jesus Napoleon Berluska has been close to conviction many times - never too close for me anyway, he's just disgusting - and also think about the CIA abduction case prosecuted by Milano's court of justice - how many courts on Earth have had the guts to ask for conviction for CIA agents?). Sometimes it has happened also elsewhere e.g. Grobbelaar and, outside football, Helmut Kohl). therefore i think that whenever all the crap that free flows underground comes to the fore to make the scandal explode, it's something to be proud of, provided that the scandal is helpful to stop the flow and help justice.

hope a funny and fair match tonight, i don't care who wins.

Couldn't agree more with 'keep in mind'. Italian football corruption is horrible but the way they are dealing with it is remarkable. I don't see this happening anywhere else. Are we really prepared to stick our necks out and say that's because there is no corruption in any other major league?!

I will be supporting Italy as ever, and ever it will be no one's fault but their own if they don't win.

The Bild is not the only one. Der Spiegel (a 'quality' magazine) caused lots offence with , which, amongst other things, lambasts Italians for being 'parrasites'

"Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't the Italians got a WC penno record second in awfulness only to our own? So, Germany 4-3 on penalties."

This is correct, however the players say they are confident, and Buffon is definitely better that the Argentinian substitute... all in all, I would advise Germany against playing with a shootout in view ;)

"Correct me if I'm wrong but haven't the Italians got a WC penno record second in awfulness only to our own? So, Germany 4-3 on penalties."

This is correct, however the players say they are confident, and Buffon is definitely better that the Argentinian substitute... all in all, I would advise Germany against playing with a shootout in view ;)

I hate if i am right...just as I guessed, Italy wins.

However, congrats to Italy, well done and I think deserved in the end.

I've got to give it to them. Well played Italy. To do it in the last minute was painful, but hey.

Allez le Bleus in the finale!

The article in "Der Spiegel", one of Germanys most respected magazines, was meant as an ironical comment.

Meanwhile the "Spiegel" has apologiesed for some verbalisations, which were easy to be misunderstood.

BTW, congrats to Italy and good luck in the final! :)

I'm not sure whether describing a country's people as 'lazy parasites' can be deemed to be an example of irony? The Bild Zeitung has been just as bad, especially in their despicable treatment of Beckham and his family..it just shows that the Germans can dish it out with the best of them and ought not to be so touchy when commenting on what others may write about them

So, now my country Germany is out, and of course I am very down.
I don't think Italy has deserved to come this far after their victory against Australia, but well....
that happening directly after the Frings/media scandal is a double hit against us, and so that explains the whistleing and will explain more reactions from the german side I am afraid. It might let ruin your view on Germany again, but that's just bad luck then... cos this is not usual for us, I can promise.

I am sure we would have been better losers to any other country, after the italian scandals in this world championship. My opinion.
Anyway, there are still 3 games to come, may the fairest and best team of them win the cup!
Allez les bleus!

What now to all the fools who continually use the same unfounded mantra against Italy. They have been without doubt as impressive as any other team throughout the tournament and are getting better with each game. They were superb tonight against Germany, their skill levels were a joy to behold. Maybe people are just lealous that they have won the the world cup 3 times and have now reached 6 finals along with many semi finals. THEY HAVE SCORED 11 GOALS IN THE TOURNAMNET, hardly evidence of a boring side.In fact the quarter finals produced just 6 goals in total...Italy scored 3 of them!!!!
Why is it people keep having a go at the Italian players appearance? What is wrong with caring about ones appearance and wanting to look good. Its clearly jealousy again cause yet again the Italians are the best turned out players, with the best kit and most impressive visually group of players. PERIOD. Is there anything wrong with wanting and having some style? Or would you prefer to look like the English players for example who are hardly pleasing on the eye and even less appealing on the pitch.
The facts speak for themselves so give the Italians credit for their success. No team achieves what the Italians have done in world cups over the years by being lucky and "dirty" yet this is always thrown at them by the jealous ones. So what about England and Rooney's action, hardly nice to look at but was not his behavour dirty? Oh I forgot it seems the Italian success denyers would look at Rooney as a nice good looking well behved boy instead of the thug he is.
There is nothing wrong witrh caring about your appearance, being good at football and being attractive. After all they couldnt help being born good looking.
Case proven

I said earlier that the Italians won fair and square tonight, and like every other German fan I must swallow the bitter pill of this last-minute defeat with grace. But like Felix there is still a sour taste in the mouth, and I completely agree that if it had been any other country it would not feel so bad.

Might Frings being in the side have made a difference? Who knows - Kehl played well enough but Ballack looked a little lost without the midfield partner with whom he had worked so well in this tournament.

I am proud of the Mannschaft and the way they have played in this tournament. They have made the country proud and have in turn made it acceptable for people to stand up and be proud of their country without fear of recrimination. Let's just hope that the spirit continues through to the end of the tournament and beyond - to see people wearing Germany shirts in out of tournament time, like people wear England shirts here, would be something special.

Sorry Italy, but I don't want you to win the final on Saturday and take a fourth star. I will be cheering on either Portugal or France - hopefully France as my girlfriend is from there. I was hoping for a great France v Germany final, but the best we can do now is go out on a high in the 3rd/4th place match on Saturday. Miro Klose taking the golden boot will also be nice.

aint that sad, Germany is out! and what a cruel double blow at the death, inspirational stuff from the italians, they really jammed it the the Germans proper!

I read that Italy's win has left a sour taste in some German supporters mouths, No Sh..T, I wonder why, is it because the better team, Italy, beat them in their lucky stadium, where Germany have never lost, and the German crowd whistling like crazed canaries whenever Italy had the ball did not put the Italians off, well, they sure showed the germans a thing or "2" didnt they, 2 magnificent goals to sink the German WC Love Boat to the bottom!, you'd think from hearing from some German supporters that the german players are all angels, and have never played dirty or dived for a penalty! thats gotta be a joke! it never ceases to amaze me how brainwashed people can be!, German players are the same as players from every other nation, they certainly are not saints!, they deserved to loose, Italy looked unchallenged throughout the entire game, and wewre the better team, just like when they beat them 4-1 a few weeks ago!

aint that sad, Germany is out! and what a cruel double blow at the death, inspirational stuff from the italians, they really jammed it the the Germans proper!

I read that Italy's win has left a sour taste in some German supporters mouths, No Sh..T, I wonder why, is it because the better team, Italy, beat them in their lucky stadium, where Germany have never lost, and the German crowd whistling like crazed canaries whenever Italy had the ball did not put the Italians off, well, they sure showed the germans a thing or "2" didnt they, 2 magnificent goals to sink the German WC Love Boat to the bottom!, you'd think from hearing from some German supporters that the german players are all angels, and have never played dirty or dived for a penalty! thats gotta be a joke! it never ceases to amaze me how brainwashed people can be!, German players are the same as players from every other nation, they certainly are not saints!, they deserved to loose, Italy looked unchallenged throughout the entire game, and wewre the better team, just like when they beat them 4-1 a few weeks ago!

Ted, did you watch Materazzi tonight? almost as many dives as Greg Louganis in 3 Olympics. Then Totti clutching his face in agony, feigning a kick to the head, when he clashed knees in a tackle, these are the amateur dramatics that make watching Italy so frustrating and unpopular, yet when Italy were all out determined to clinch the game they would ride tackles and carry on through regardless - it more of the Italian team played like Cannavaro or Gattuso I think they would gain more respect, yet on the other hand the play leading to Italy's two goals were sublime and a joy to watch.
Italy - after a very unimpressive group stage campaign, and basically decieving a win against Australia have lifted their game impressively since.

"Ted did you watch Materazzi Tonight?" almost as many dives as Greg Louganis"

Simon did you watch Gerrard blatantly dive in the England friendly against Hungary before the world cup finals"
Simon did you watch Owen dive in the quarter finals of the world cup 8 years aga against Argentina to win a penalty?
Simon do you watch the Premiership where on a weekly basis we see players, English included, feign injury and dive"
Simon these are just a few examples
If you bothered to look at the game and watched the reply you would have clearly seen, as noted by all the presenters, that Totti took an accidental knee to the head from the German player. So if I was to come to you and unexpectedly knee you in the head the first thing you would do, apart from have a go back, is rub you head and hold it, which is what Totti did. He did not over react . Materrazi diving? Well I dont know what game you were watching because one of the things that all the tv presenters said about the game tonight was that it was played in a great spirit of fairness with no play acting. Materrazi diving? you clearly are on another planet.I wonder if you would accuse Ro and any other Engerland player of the same thing whenevr they went down dubiously.
Simon have you selective eyesight?
Be brave admit it

Ted did you watch Materazzi Tonight?" almost as many dives as Greg Louganis"

Simon did you watch Gerrard blatantly dive in the England friendly against Hungary before the world cup finals"
Simon did you watch Owen dive in the quarter finals of the world cup 8 years aga against Argentina to win a penalty?
Simon do you watch the Premiership where on a weekly basis we see players, English included, feign injury and dive"
Simon these are just a few examples
If you bothered to look at the game and watched the reply you would have clearly seen, as noted by all the presenters, that Totti took an accidental knee to the head from the German player. So if I was to come to you and unexpectedly knee you in the head the first thing you would do, apart from have a go back, is rub you head and hold it, which is what Totti did. He did not over react . Materrazi diving? Well I dont know what game you were watching because one of the things that all the tv presenters said about the game tonight was that it was played in a great spirit of fairness with no play acting. Materrazi diving? you clearly are on another planet.I wonder if you would accuse Ro and any other Engerland player of the same thing whenevr they went down dubiously.
Simon have you selective eyesight?
Be brave admit it

TED

I'm not sure why you say it. Is it prejudice?Is it an unbiased view of the match you read on The Sun? or Bild? The match I saw was played at a furious pace and some tackles were probably hurting. In no occasion I saw diving or fegining injuries to gain a free kick or a booking.
Any match in the WC or in the national leagues or in the champtions league is the ballet, then.
Of course, if you watch the match thinking that the bad-cheaters-Italian are gonna dive and feign, then you'll see it. If we all loot at the matches with these stereptype-googles than I can rightfully say that: English are thugs on the field and they always try to compensate their lack of skills with outright violence, Argentinians are hot tempered and not to be trusted, Germans tackle hard and they don't even try to get the ball, knees are enough........

Nothing to do with german people but their game last night was not so perfect as I expected. Complaints for their sarcasm ? YES....let them try a Tears Pizza instead.....

2-0
no words needed

Well, Italians did it better. That is, playing football.
Germany play was uninspiring once again. On the contrary, whenever Italy has played with 11 players, it played well, like against Ghana, Ukraine, and now Germany. Against Australia in 10 players Italy managed to concede 0 shots on goal, so please watch the matches before commenting on them, mates !

Schweini 7,

Don't worry about it I didn't want Germany to win for the same reason! But I think Germany will get their 4th star, maybe in 2010. Italy should be in the lead though having first won in the 30's.

maybe i'm blind but I saw not one but two portugese playeers hacking at Rooney, 'from behind', and then Rooney got his foot stuck in between one of the players legs. I mean he put them around Rooney feet first, closed them and then cries the innocent. All this again behind Rooney. Unless Rooney has eyes in the back of his head how could he be diliberately crunching portugese nuts????? Rooney should have been given the free kick.

Zinedine Zidane, the French team is a muslim of Algerian decent. It is not surprising for the media to not mention his heritage. However, when a person with muslim sounding name commits an act of terrorism or some some other bad act, media always starts the story headline with muslim terrorist or miltant. Is this Western media hypocracy or not?

Zinedine Zidane, the French team is a muslim of Algerian decent. It is not surprising for the media to not mention his heritage. However, when a person with muslim sounding name commits an act of terrorism or some some other bad act, media always starts the story headline with muslim terrorist or miltant. Is this Western media hypocracy or not?