Yes, the German dream of reaching the FIFA World Cup Final on home soil died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final as 2-0 semi-final winners. Although there was no goals at all until the last few minutes of the extra time, it was a night of high drama and I was left impressed by the blue army. The Germans weren't too bad either but I'm not a German fan so it naturally made me an Italy supporter this morning. Once again, Marcello Lippi’s side defended magnificently and the superb Buffon has still to concede a goal at Germany 2006 to an opposition player. The Azzurri can now march on to the Final.

When the extra time was coming to an end, I thought that all hope was lost for the Italian team. A penalty shoot-out wouldn't be to their advantage as the Germans are well-trained for the penalties. It had appeared that a German win was in the waiting. But all the German hope evaporated instantly at the 119th minute as Fabio Grosso broke the deadlock. He curled a left-footed shot past the despairing dive of the German keeper, Jens Lehmann, from the right side of the penalty box. This superb first-time left-foot shot curled just inside the far post. Germany 0 - Italy 1. And I must say, didn't Grosso look damn high! I know, national hero now, but still, no need to get sooo high!! He was continuously shaking his head so wildly after the goal that my sis and I concluded in unison that he must be taking drugs haha. And did you see when his team mates pinned him onto the ground and all you could see on the tv was his legs and they were still flailing in the air??!! We imagined that his team mates pinned him onto the ground to stop him from giving away the fact that he took drugs hahaha. It was hilarious.

And a goal behind and just a few minutes before the end of the game, how could the hosts not push desperately for an equaliser? But a German victory began instant MI4 at one minute into the additional time when substitute Alessandro Del Piero put a 2nd goal into the German net. Germany 0 - Italy 2. Italy were through. Italy now advance to their first FIFA World Cup Final since 1994 and their sixth overall. They will face the winners of Wednesday's Portugal-France semi-final in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday, 24 hours after Germany have contested third place with the losers of that match in Stuttgart.

I am so freaking glad that Germany is outta the Final, even further from their goal than it was 4 years ago in Korea. Man, sulky Oliver Kahn is definitely sulky-no-more and on cloud nine now since he has led the team further in the tournament at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Anyway putting the match behind, I remember that people always say that Italy has the most handsome men around. I look carefully at the Italian team and beg to differ. Ok, of course, the "prince of Italian football" (urgh, what a cheesy name!), Francesco Totti, is excluded. At 30, this man can never look better. Glad that he ditched his long hair this WC. But urgh, look at the rest of the team! Even England looks better. So does Spain. What a disappointment. =( But at least the Italians have style. I like all their tatoos. :-)

Fabio Cannavaro, born September 13, 1973. So cute. Exactly 10 years minus a day before me!

These days, I like my man capable, cute and smaller. A frame of over 180cm can be too overwhelming sometimes, especially when I'm short myself. But although he's not tall for a central defender (176 cm), Cannavaro is considered one of the best defenders of the 1990s and early 2000s. Cannavaro, alongside Alessandro Nesta, forms for Italian defence one of the best defences in the world. Cannavaro is especially noted for his reading of the game, an ability that often sees him make countless interceptions during games. He is also widely tipped as the best pure defender in the world. It is this attribute that has compensated for his lack of height, making him one of the finest centre-backs to have come out of Italy.

Italy had won 3 FIFA World Cup titles since 1934. Will the trophy go to the Italians this year? But who cares. As long as the trophy's NOT going to the Germans. =P

¶ 2:16 PM