A Different World Cup 2006

Well.. It has been often said that Underdogs are best at the last moment and it has been proved..ITALY won the World Cup 2006 defeating their European Rival,FRANCE to clinch their fourth WC title.. The Grand tournament took place at GERMANY and No one expected ITALIAN team to win the title.. Everyone's eyes were on the European Big guns like ENGLAND,FRANCE,GERMANY ,and some teams like PORTUGAL,SPAIN,HOLLAND and teams from South America like ARGENTINA,BRAZIL.. But,everything got upside down in the World Cup.. All the above mentioned teams cleared their Group Stages with ease and no difficulty except for France where they need a 2 goal heroism from their players to make to the last 16... First match of the last 16 was between the Young,talented Germany and Sweden,where the host crushed the YELLOW guys from northern Europe by 2-0.. Then,after that match,everyone witnessed the first match to go for Extra time between the two American teams,Argentina and Mexico.. The Argentines narrowly escaped their exit from WC by 2-1.. Moreover,that match was the 50th in the tournament.. 

• The time came for a hero from England who scored an astonishing free kick goal against Ecuador to clinch their Quarterfinal berth in the WC.. 
• The hero is none other than DAVID BECKHAM... 
• Then,we had the first match to go for penalties where the Ukraine team beat Swiss team where they met Italy in the quarter finals.. 
• Then,it was up to the last 8 where the Expected teams lined up.. 
• First,Germany sent the S.American giants,Argentina,back home winning them in penalties and Italy had a nice warm up game like against Ukraine..
• Then,came the clash of the Titans where France met Brazil,a repeat of WC 98 finals.. France came out as the emerging team beating Brazil by 1-0 thanks to Henry's goal..
• Repeat of Euro 2004 quarter finals happened here..It was ENGLAND against PORTUGAL.. 
• The Portuguese again won them in the penalties.. 
• Semi final matches nearly turned everything.. 
• The Host lost to the Italy in the Extra time and France defeated Portugal thanks to the goal from ZIDANE.. 
• And all set for the finals between FRANCE and ITALY where the first team has never beaten the latter in their WC history..
• A Forgettable incident about the finals was the head Butt from Zidane to the Italian player Materazzi and was sent out..
• Then,the Italians came up with the triumph winning the final and showed the world that they are a strong team!!! Then,it was the time for giving the awards...

The Winners and the awards are:

• ZINEDINE ZIDANE,France(adidas Golden Ball)
  
• MIROSLAV KLOSE,Germany(adidas Golden shoe)
  
• SPAIN(FIFA fair play team)
  
• PORTUGAL(FIFA Most entertaining team)
  
• GIANLUIGIBUFFON,Italy(Best Goalkeeper)
  
• LUKAS PODOLSKI,Germany(Best Young player)
  

The Final team Standings were:

• ITALY(Winners)
  
• FRANCE(Runners up)
  
• GERMANY(3rd place)
  
• PORTUGAL(4th place)