By Anna Italia
Covering the 2010 World Cup South Africa from an Italian Perspective


              51% Ball Possession Slovakia and 49% Ball Possession Italy
                  Slovakia 3 -2 Italy   
                                     25'  Robert Vittek          80' Antonio Di Natale
                                     73'  Robert Vittek          92' Fabio Quagliarella
                                     89' Kamil Kopunek 

 Italy eliminated!!!!!

  Click to Watch live streaming online Slovakia - Italy Thursday June 24 2010 World Cup

                    

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Italy was supposed to defend the  2006 World Cup champions standing and delivering a convincing victory, instead, Italy humiliated and eliminated by novice Slovakia commanded by our own Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik.    Imagine that Hamsik for superstition brought from Italy his hair stylist to shape  his "spiky hair" because he felt the need to have his lucky charm.....

A leadership of the experienced Italy captain with Fabio Cannavaro and young 22 years old Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik.


 
First half bad for Italy.  We see a better Italy in the second half when we had on the pitch the once famous "Udinese tridente" with Fabio Quagliarella, Antonio Di Natale, and Vincenzo Iaquinta.  Clearly, their understanding and making combination resulting in 2 goals and 2 other ruled out.

The fairy tale of the 1982 finding a Paolo Rossi is over.   It was too late.. but at least we got to see Quagliarella battling until the end and scoring.   We could not seen Giampaolo Pazzini not having a chance to play.    In this game I can applaud Quagliarella... the QUA QUA QUA QUA QUA QUAGLIARELLLAAAAAAAAAAaa and oh yes... why not.. I will even go further and applaud our fellow Serie A player Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik for battling with his team. 

It's the 80th match of Italy in a World Cup, and one to forget.

There is only 1 Italy Serie A player in Slovakia: 

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik also Captain of Slovakia team playing all 90 minutes.


Here is the official starting lineup from SLOVAKIA by coach  Vladimir Weiss:

SLOVAKIA: 1-Jan Mucha; 2-Peter Pekarik, 3-Martin Skrtel, 16-Jan Durica, 5-Radoslav Zabavnik, 6-Zdeno Strba, 15-Miroslav Stoch, 17-Marek Hamsik, 11-Robert Vittek, 19-Juraj Kucka, 18-Erik Jendrisek.


Here is official starting lineup from ITALY by coach  Marcello Lippi:

ITALY: 12-Federico Marchetti; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 5-Fabio Cannavaro, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Domenico Criscito, 22-Riccardo Montolivo, 6-Daniele De Rossi, 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 9-Vincenzo Iaquinta,7-Simone Pepe, 10-Antonio Di Natale.


This is the FINAL 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F Teams Standing  Italy ending in the bottom last place... OUCH.
 

2010 FIFA World Cup group F Standing June 24, 2010	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	PointsPts
Paraguay	3	1	2	0	3	1	5
Slovakia	3	1	1	1	4	5	4
New Zealand	3	0	3	0	2	2	3
Italy	3	0	2	1	4	5	2

                         




Photo  AP

Here is Slovakia official starting lineup.  PeterPekarik, Radoslav Zabavnik, JanDurica, Erik Jendrisek and Marek Hamsik, front row from left, and Juraj Kucka, Jan Durica, Robert Vittek, goalkeeper Jan Mucha, Zdeno Strba and Martin Skrtel, back row from left.


Photo Getty Images
Here is the official group photo Italy National team lineup against Slovakia in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F game on Thursday, June 24, 2010.  (Top row, L to R) defender Gianluca Zambrotta,  striker VincenzoIaquinta, Italy's defender DomenicoCriscito, midfielder SimonePepe,   defender GiorgioChiellini and  goalkeeper Federico Marchetti (bottom row, L to R) striker Antonio Di Natale,  midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, defender FabioCannavaro,  midfielder DanieleDe Rossi and  midfielder GennaroGattuso 

Referee Howard Webb whistles the beginning of the match.....

Italy starting the match  well ... pressing.... 

In the 6th minute Slovakia  with a clear chance to score after Robert Vittek  to Marek Hamsik inside the penalty area to score and his shot goes wide.....  ooops, talking about the defense, helloooo
 
Oh what a luck.... goooalllllll ooopps, stop,  guys, in the 10th minute Italy  close to score when Antonio Di Natale sends a cross to Vincenzo iaquinta and bammmmmm though the goal is not valid just before that  he committed a foul  for tugging a jersey of a Slovakian player...... well, nothing to do, Iaquinta not protesting...
 
Italy having some empty spaces and allowing Slovakia goal opportunities.   In the 14th minute there you see Marek Hamsik with his spiky hair  coming from the left side to make the cross to Vittek so close, almost in front of the goal and luckily Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti anticipates and stop the whole action....

 First yellow card of the match in the 15th minute.  Referee Webb books Strba for a bad foul on Gennaro Gattuso bringing him down. It means he will miss the next match.
 
In the 17th minute,  Daniele De Rossi trying a long range shot and is blocked by Erik Jendrisek.
 
Oh no, come on..... guys,  in the 20th minute, good try by Iaquinta but defender Jan Durica tackle him before finishing the run towards goal.  You can tell italy is coming forward and pressing...

No way joseeeee,,, I can't believe it. Chiellini running to clear  but failing to arrive on time to see Juraj Kucka making the pass to Robert Vittek making a right footed shot  in the bottom left corner despite the stretch from goalkeeper Marchetti.  Wow... this result  is eliminating Italy.  now.. it is an uphill battle.
Slovakia 1 - 0 Italy
 

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Photo Getty Images

Slovakia striker Robert Vittek  celebrates with teammates after scoring  against Italy...  he is flying .... while Simone Pepe observes frustrated.  Wake up Italy.

 Second yellow card in the 30th minute and this time for Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro for a foul on Kucka.
 
Slovakia gaining confidence after the goal and in the 30th minute Strba a long range shot from about 30 yards   ..... Marchettiii ready... and there is no way Italy can concede another goal in this first half.  Point is to wake up and smell the coffee going forward...



Photo Getty Images
Captain Cannavaro talking to Simone Pepe, Antonio Di Natale and Gennaro Gattuso...

Time to move on and see how we get out of this mess.... forza ragazzi.

In the 39th minute  chance for Italy with midfielder Riccardo Montolivo making a shot from 25 yards and it goes wide....
 
  Third yellow card of the match  in the 40th minute. Slovakia forward Vittek commits a foul  on Fabio Cannavaro tackling on his foot.

Oops, oh oh spaghetti oh... match delay  in the 44th minute.. a clash between Gattuso catching Strba and a bad gash on his knee with blood.... seems he won't be able to continue...   Strba leaving the pitch on a stretcher.... It will be a forced substitution...

Say what?  oh unbelievable guys.. just when Slovakia coach ordered the substitution you see Strba making a sign saying not to do it .... he is practically stopping  the substitution and returning to the pitch... oh well, his knee with a band... but he is in guys.... you can tell he does not want to miss this game.   Wonder what his coach will do...


Photo Getty Images

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattusso and Slovakia striker Robert Vittek


What's going on with Italy.. it is supposed to be their waking call but it is Slovakia smelling the coffee... hello.. just a last attempt in the 45th minute Kucka from about 35 yards challenging goalkeeper Marchetti.... the worst thing for Italy would  be to concede another goal now... 

First half is over with 55% ball possession Slovakia and 45% ball possession Italy.
 
 Lippi must give an urgent pep talk during the half time and adjust the squad.  Wondering whether we might see midfielder Andrea Pirlo in the second half. It is now or never for italy.  So, I will say, yes,  bring Pirloooooo

Second half starts with Italy making a double substitution.
Gennaro Gattuso out,  Fabio Quagliarella in
Domenico Criscito out,  Cristian Maggio in

We now have  3 Napoli players in the pitch with Quagliarella and Maggio for Italy and Marek Hamsik for Slovakia.

It seems Lippi not  considering Pirlo ready yet....

Oh gosh,  Slovakia keeps pressing and in the 49th minute a long range shot by Durica and Vittek is offside....



Photo Getty Images

Is it the time time to wake up Italy?  Opposite leaders, the experienced Captain Fabio Cannavaro and rookie Captain Marek Hamsik. 


Wake up Italy.. come onnnnnn

In the 50th minute a yellow card for  Slovakia Peter Petarik for a foul on Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella...

In the 50th minute an assist by Simone Pepe  finding Vincenzo Iaquinta  to head the ball from the center of the area and missing the target to the left... oh gosh.. come on Italyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy



Photo Getty Images

Oh wow,  guys,  in the 56th minute, Lippi making his last substitution and it is Andrea Pirlo  substituting Riccardo Montolivo..... let's see what Pirlo can do.. come on Pirloooooo
 

In the 61st minute Marek Hamsik commits a foul on Andrea Pirlo.....

In the  62nd minute there you go an assist by Fabio Quagliarella to Antonio Di Natale making  a long right footed shot from outside the area   forcing Slovakia goalkeeper to a super stretch to save with both hands .... a strong shot  and saving in two times...

UN BELIEVVABBLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE  in the 66th minute Fabio Quagliarelllaaaaaaaaaaaa with a shot  when there was no goalkeeper and  it seems the ball pass the net when clearing.. but replay  not clear on whether it was in or not..... Quagliarella cannnot believe it....

In the 67th minute, yellow card for Giorgio Chiellini....

Ok, now the replay again with the doubtful goal and looks it was.....

Mamma miaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa   this is  a nightmareeee now... in the 73rd minute, with Slovakia   scoring a second goal and this is practically being out.....   Out of the corner kick and the whole pizza pie splashing in the face of Italy with this goal... Vittek unmarked delivering a right footed shot from the right side  all the way to the bottom right corner after the assist by Marek Hamsik...
Slovakia 2 - 0 Italy


Photo AP
How painful to watch Slovakia forward Robert Vittek celebrates this second goal...... its like a celebration of liberation knowing his goal is eliminating the defending World Cup champion.   

  In the 75th minute, Referee Webb giving a yellow card to Italy midifielder Simone Pepe for a foul on Stoch.  .

Hey guyssss there is hopeeee in the 80th minute the "Udinese combo"  well, the once Udinese connection with Vincenzo Iaquinta making an assist   and Antonio Di Natale blasting Slovakia goalkeeper.. there was no goalkeeper and there you gooooo ogoal  Italy....  It's Di Natale's 10th goal with the National team.
Slovakia 2 -1 Italy



Photo Reuters

Forza Di Natale........ how I miss the "Udinese tridente!!!!




Photo Getty Images

Just crazy guys, in the 81st minute,  imagine after the goal from Di  Natale and a little tough love between Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha  and Fabio Wuagliarella... Referee Webb giving a yellow card to each one.
 



Photo Getty Images

In the 85th minute Italy goalkeeper Fabio Quagliarella scoring and it is ruled out for offside....  You bet Slovakia goalkeeper almost had a headache....  lucky and it is ruled out.  Wake up Italy...

In the 86th minute Slovakia making a substitution
Strba out, Kamil Kopunek in


Oh nooooo in the 89th minute, Slovakia making a third goal with the new substitute  Kamil Kopunek passing Cannavaro and there you go.... blasting Italy goalkeeper Marchetti  with a right footed shot. this is crazyyyyyyyyy 
Just crazy.... with only three minutes in the pitch and Kopunekscoring...
Slovakia 3 - 1 Italy




A drammmmmaaaaaaaa
Guys in agonizing minutes and you see Italy scoring in the 91st minute  scoring..... Fabio Quagliarella with a right footed shot from outside the area after an assist by Daniele De Rossi.
 Slovakia 3 - 2 Italy 


Photo Getty Images

Fabio Quagliarella celebrating his goal giving some hope to the Italian National team.


Unbelievable...  Italy is eliminated ... Referee Webb whistles the end of the gameeeeeeeee and the inconsolable cry from Fabio Quagliarella,  just so painful to lose in this way... but what else was expected than a miracle......   Match ends with 51% ball possession Slovakia and 49% ball possession Italy.

I am totally disappointed....  just upset,,,, sad, frustrated... this is not the way to see the Italian National team in a World Cup and not passing the first round....    a whole period of struggling...  and the era of Lippi is over.... a new era start with new head coach Cesare Prandelli... making it even worse..... Italy ending in the last place of Group F.  Pass the Tylenol and a chamomile tea.......  too much to handle... I will need a whole pitcher of water to swallow this defeat.......  


Photo Ap

It's over.... sad defeat and the expression from our Azzurri says it all.... Antonio Di Natale, Andrea Pirlo and Vincenzo Iaquinta...
 

Photo Getty Images

Hey guys... the sad faces from Italy and the super victory jump from Slovakia and Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik jumping of joy after his Slovakia defeated the defending 2006 World Cup champions..... ooopss... no more champions...



Photo Getty Images;

Inter forward Fabio Quagliarella crying out of frustration after being eliminated and sad face from Italy Captain Fabio Cannavaro who might have played his last game with the Italian National team as he announced retiring after the World Cup.


   

Click the video to watch the highlights of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group F match Slovakia vs Italy on Thursday, June 24, 2010



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FIFA 2010 World Cup Group F Third  Round
Match  41

Slovakia - Italy
Johannesburg, South Africa
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ellis Park, Time: 16:00
 
Referee: Howard WEBB (ENG)
Assistant Referee 1: Darren CANN (ENG)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael MULLARKEY (ENG)
Fourth official: Stephane LANNOY (FRA)
FOF: Eric DANSAULT (FRA)

Attendance:  53,412

Scorers:

OFFICIAL FORMATIONS


SLOVAKIA: 1-Jan Mucha; 2-Peter Pekarik, 3-Martin Skrtel, 16-JanDurica, 5-Radoslav Zabavnik, 6-Zdeno Strba, 15-Miroslav Stoch, 17-MarekHamsik, 11-Robert Vittek, 19-Juraj Kucka, 18-Erik Jendrisek.

ITALY: 12-Federico Marchetti; 19-Gianluca Zambrotta, 5-FabioCannavaro, 4-Giorgio Chiellini, 3-Domenico Criscito, 22-RiccardoMontolivo, 6-Daniele De Rossi, 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 9-Vincenzo Iaquinta,7-Simone Pepe, 10-Antonio Di Natale.

Italy 2010-12 Rossi home soccer jersey Puma	Italy 2010-12 Quagliarella home soccer jersey Puma	Italy 2010-12 Pirlo  home soccer jersey Puma	Italy 2010-12 Gattuso home soccer jersey Puma

FIFA 2010 World Cup Group F Third  Round Match  41 Slovakia - Italy Johannesburg, South Africa Thursday, June 24, 2010 Ellis Park, Time: 16:00    Referee Howard Webb
Slovakia (SVK)	Match Statistics	Italy (ITA)
10	Shots	16
4	Shots on goal	6
3	Goals Scored	2
20	Fouls Committed	17
16	Fouls Suffered	20
6	Corner kicks	3
13	Free kicks Shots (scored)	25
0 / 0	Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots)	0 / 0
1	Offsides	3
0	Own goals	0
4	Yellow cards	4
0	Second yellow card and red card	0
0	Red Cards	0
29	Actual playing time	29
51%	Possession (%)	49%

2010 FIFA  World Cup Tickets Group F: Italy, Paraguay,New Zealand,and Slovakia

Match	Date	Venue			Results			FIFA World Cup 2010 Tickets
11	14 June	Cape Town		Italy	1 - 1	Paraguay		Goals  39' Antolin Alcaraz and 63' Daniele De Rossi
12	15 June	Rustenburg		New Zealand	1 - 1	Slovakia		Goals 50' Robert Vittek and 93' Winston Reid
27	20 June	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		Slovakia	0 - 2	Paraguay		Slovakia - Paraguay Tickets, June 20, 2010
28	20 June	Nelspruit		Italy	1 - 1	New Zealand		Goals  7' Smeltz,  29' Vincenzo Iaquinta (pen)
41	24 June	Johannesburg		Slovakia	3 - 2	Italy		Goals
42	24 June	Polokwane		Paraguay	0 - 0	New Zealand		Goals

Whatdo you think of the results?  Which players  surprised you or disappointed you and why?





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