Campioni del mondo! ITA 1:1 FRA (5-3)

Philadelphia, PA

No words can describe this day! And though I amuse myself at how caught up I get in these things, it still feels good to surrender to mass hysteria sometimes. After the bitter disappointments in 1998 (against France) and in 2000 (against--who else--France), this is as sweet a victory as any I've tasted, even as a Habs fan.

I made some fast friends at Fadò, a local Irish pub a block away from my place, most of whom were French. But this guy, Andrea, became my new best friend. A true Italian supporter from Milano with whom to share the madness!

The French were a little bitter, and perhaps understandably so, after their side dominated the second half and the overtime, while the Italians seemed content to draw it ot to penalty kicks (for what reason I don't know--their record was 0-3 in World Cups). But they held down the fort, regrouped after the Zidane incident (what the hell was that?) and managed to score on all five of their chances.

Riccardo, Valentina, Frank--wherever you are, FORZA ITALIA!