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Will Italy beat France in the regular 90 minutes?
By Anna Italia
Will Italy be able to win the match with France within the regular 90 minutes or extra time?
Fact is that for almost 30 years, Italy has never beaten France within the regular 90 minutes or 120 minutes extra time. The last time it happened was on June 2, 1978 during the first round of the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina won by Italy 2 - France 1.
Curiously, on July 2, 2000 France and Italy met again during the European championship final won by France 2-1 with FC Juventus player David Trezeguet giving the winning goal to France.
Six years later, on Sunday, July 9, it was party time all'italiana at the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Germany. After the 1 - 1 draw with goals from Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane, France and Italy went to penalty kicks. Italy won the shoot-out 5-3 and became the 2006 World Cup Champion against all odds.
One thing is clear, Italy - France matches will never be the same. They will always carry the episode of the 2006 World Cup final, where Zinedine Zidane was expelled with a red card for violent conduct when he headbutted Italy defender Marco Materazzi with only ten minutes of extra-time remaining ending his career in disgrace while Italy celebrated their Fourth World Cup.
This time it was Fabio Grosso who scored the winning penalty after France's David Trezeguet missed the penalty kick. The only thing that France coach Raymond Domenech could do was to observe the Italian celebration on the pitch and see how Materazzi became a key player for the Italian victory. Neither Zidane nor Materazzi will play tomorrow. Yet, the memories are there.
Two months after the 2006 World Cup final, on September 6, France and Italy met again for the EURO 2008 Qualifiers at the Stade de France. Many saw this encounter as the right opportunity for revenge. I disagree because most of the Italian players that won the World cup did not play that night, plus the venue was not the same. Yet, to an extent, it has the ingredients for a semi-revenge. France beat the World Champion 3 -1. Currently, France leads Group B with 18 points, Italy is next with 16 points, Scotland with 15 and Ukraine with 12.
As for the September 8 match for the EURO 2008 Qualifiers, Will FC Juventus player Trezeguet score again the winning goal to France like he did in 2000 and redeem himself after failing the penalty kick in the 2006 World Cup? or Will it be Fabio Grosso scoring the winning goal to Italy like he did in the 2006 World Cup? How about Del Piero, Inzaghi or even Pirlo with a free kick?
It will take guts, determination and grinta from the Italian team to win. Here is where the drive of Gennaro Gattuso is needed: 11 roaring lions! On the other hand, If France wins, the notes of la Marselleise will silence San Siro and all Italy.
Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match
ITALY v. FRANCE 
WHAT: Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match
WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2007
WHO: ITALY-FRANCE
WHERE: San Siro Stadium (Meazza)
20:50 (Italian time)
Who will be the Italian player to give the winning goal to Italy? or
Who will be the French player to give the winning goal to France?
Will Italy be able to win the match with France within the regular 90 minutes or extra time?
Fact is that for almost 30 years, Italy has never beaten France within the regular 90 minutes or 120 minutes extra time. The last time it happened was on June 2, 1978 during the first round of the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina won by Italy 2 - France 1.
Curiously, on July 2, 2000 France and Italy met again during the European championship final won by France 2-1 with FC Juventus player David Trezeguet giving the winning goal to France.
Six years later, on Sunday, July 9, it was party time all'italiana at the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Germany. After the 1 - 1 draw with goals from Marco Materazzi and Zinedine Zidane, France and Italy went to penalty kicks. Italy won the shoot-out 5-3 and became the 2006 World Cup Champion against all odds.
One thing is clear, Italy - France matches will never be the same. They will always carry the episode of the 2006 World Cup final, where Zinedine Zidane was expelled with a red card for violent conduct when he headbutted Italy defender Marco Materazzi with only ten minutes of extra-time remaining ending his career in disgrace while Italy celebrated their Fourth World Cup.
This time it was Fabio Grosso who scored the winning penalty after France's David Trezeguet missed the penalty kick. The only thing that France coach Raymond Domenech could do was to observe the Italian celebration on the pitch and see how Materazzi became a key player for the Italian victory. Neither Zidane nor Materazzi will play tomorrow. Yet, the memories are there.
Two months after the 2006 World Cup final, on September 6, France and Italy met again for the EURO 2008 Qualifiers at the Stade de France. Many saw this encounter as the right opportunity for revenge. I disagree because most of the Italian players that won the World cup did not play that night, plus the venue was not the same. Yet, to an extent, it has the ingredients for a semi-revenge. France beat the World Champion 3 -1. Currently, France leads Group B with 18 points, Italy is next with 16 points, Scotland with 15 and Ukraine with 12.
As for the September 8 match for the EURO 2008 Qualifiers, Will FC Juventus player Trezeguet score again the winning goal to France like he did in 2000 and redeem himself after failing the penalty kick in the 2006 World Cup? or Will it be Fabio Grosso scoring the winning goal to Italy like he did in the 2006 World Cup? How about Del Piero, Inzaghi or even Pirlo with a free kick?
It will take guts, determination and grinta from the Italian team to win. Here is where the drive of Gennaro Gattuso is needed: 11 roaring lions! On the other hand, If France wins, the notes of la Marselleise will silence San Siro and all Italy.
Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match
ITALY v. FRANCE WHAT: Euro 2008 Qualifiers Match
WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2007
WHO: ITALY-FRANCE
WHERE: San Siro Stadium (Meazza)
20:50 (Italian time)
Who will be the Italian player to give the winning goal to Italy? orWho will be the French player to give the winning goal to France?
Why not the French that will give France their second win?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDh93IB_nts Who will be the lion and who will be the tiger??
Reply to this
Hey Milan 99. Absolutely, why not the French player to give France the winning goal. I can see any French player scoring the winning goal, but it would be sad if the winning goal comes from David Trezeguet because he plays for an Italian team. If he does, he will be an IDOL in France, but not in Italy where he plays. Just like Juventus coach Ranieri says, hopefully there will be BUFFON to stop Trezeguet from scoring.
For Italy, I would love a winning goal from either Alessandro Del Piero or Super Pippo Inzaghi or a miraculous from Gennaro Gattuso the roaring lion.
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So you'd take it Italy the Lions and France the Tigers? No probeblem its ALWAYS 50/50 in football
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Hey Milan 99, at least we agree about DAVID TREZEGUET. Gee... I cannot even imagine if he is the one scoring the winning goal.. I rather think as INZAGHI or DEL PIERO scoring the winning goal for Italy.
I suffered so much for Trezeguet when he missed his penalty. I do like him and I think all Italians feel for him too since he plays for JUVE.
Yes, definitely, the LIONS are the Italians... but I respect your choice for France.
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oooh, no way can Trez score against Italy. He will be torn to shreads by the press and fans. Last time a player sscored against Italy in an important game he got kicked out his team. I think it was Ahn, or whatever his name was. Not good.
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Ciao Milanista, I agree with you. That is my concern about TREZEGUET. IF he scored a winning goal against Italy, he will torn to shreads not only by the press BUT THE FANS!!!!
I hope France coach Domenech will not include him.
FORZA ITALIA!
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all yow dont know sheet about italy. italians are fighters on soccer when it comes to the field.
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Mohamed, Italians are fighter but with France they have not show it yet. I want CLEAR victories. How about you?
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