Italy In USA 94 (part two)

World Cup USA 94, (Italy vs. Nigeria)



An article about Italy's match vs. Nigeria in the world cup USA 94 and how close we came to being eliminated, only to bounce back and win it in overtime.



Italy was in the round of 16 in USA 94, after having barely qualified by the skins of their teeth. Third in their group, in a world cup that allowed such teams to move on to the next round. Of course, this would not have been possible in the following world cup however for Italian supporters this hardly mattered. Italy was through to the knock out stage of the competition and this was all that held any meaning for their "tifossi"; apart from the fact that they would have to beat Nigeria to get through to the quarterfinal. After which if they managed to beat Nigeria, it would be Spain waiting. This a team which had already defeated Switzerland by the score of 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.



I for my part decided to watch this most important match in the "Bar Napoli" on Mulberry Street in "Little Italy", after all it was crunch time, do or die and what better place for an Italian to be than among his own. Specially since there would be no tomorrow if Italy lost and if they did manage to beat Nigeria, they at least in my opinion would be in the world cup. For to me, the real tournament starts in the quarterfinals, as those are the teams that when all was said and done; came even close to the final. Italy however would have to go through Nigeria, the team that in the first round had beaten Bulgaria by 3-0 and had qualified in first place in their group despite loosing by 2-1 to Argentina.



Italy, I was sure could and should win but this was not a done deal by any means, so with this in mind I sat down at Bar Napoli to watch the match with those whom I was familiar with but specially John and Gabriella; who were even expecting me to turn up. This due to the fact that though both of them were behind Italy all the way, neither of them really knew much about the players or at least not as much as I did.



My Italian "azurri" shirt is what I wore that afternoon; as this was a day to stand behind "La Nazionale" (who wore their white shirts instead of their traditional blue) regardless of weather one supported Milan, Juventuz or who ever one backed during the regular season. The atmosphere was tense but in reality it was not as much as it would have been had Italy been facing the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, or even Spain. This given that Nigeria was entering new grounds and though it was possible for them to beat us; it was unlikely that they would or at least not in this part of the world cup.



Game time had arrived and all of us who had been following Italy were ready in our seats or at least the ones we had had since the start of tournament, almost as if we had reserved them during the first three games. This the case though I had only been there for one of Italy's first three matches in which I had become a sort of go between those Italian American fans who did not speak Italian and the Italian ones who did not speak English so well. I however despite being known to all preferred to seat next to John and Gabriela though in a way it was like we were all sitting next to each other, regardless of where we sat; for we all supported the same cause, an Italian victory.



As for Bar Napoli, it had also gone through transformations which included more Italian flags and the waiters, none of which were Italian in any sense of the word but wore the shirt of the Italian national team or at least were made to do so by their boss. It was as if this place had become a stadium and we were the part of it that stood behind Italy, even if there were those among us who had no blood ties what so ever with Italy but had been swept by the fever of wanting to support Italy. This had been the case with not only Gabriela but many tourists who found themselves in America and whose countries had not qualified to the World Cup and for some reason or another had taken up sympathies with our cause which in many ways had become theirs.



The game stared and Italy went off attacking and close they would come but the tone of the game was not really set till the 25th minute when Nigeria took a corner kick. The center came with a curve on it, swirling in to the box where Maldini tried to clear it but instead of doing so passed it back to Amunike, who taped the ball past Marchegiani; playing for the still suspended Pagliuca. It was a goal which had clearly been Maldini's fault but this was not as important as the fact that Italy again started a game down by 1-0 but this time a loss would mean elimination.



Nigeria seemed to grow in confidence after that goal and why shouldn't they? They were wining 1-0 and with more than realistic chances of beating us and going through to the next round. Nigeria even seemed to be more threatening, true Italy also went forward more but that only made Nigeria more dangerous on the counterattack; always taking advantage of positions left vacant by defenders moving forward. The second half however ended with Nigeria still leading by 1-0.



We were down but not out however we knew something was needed to get us back on level terms and that would be Roberto Baggio, who had not really done anything of any real merit in that world cup up and till that point or at least nothing that came even near justifying his accolades as the world's great player at the time. He had had a difficult world cup; it was true, being heavily marked in every game and had even been taken off the field early against Norway but now was his chance. He would have to start producing those plays which had been expected of him for Italy to be the team we all hoped and knew they could be and the time was then for there would be no more world cup for Italy if he did not.



This was something all of us at Bar Napoli agreed upon during our half time rally as we talked over the situation, after which we made up our minds to put all our cheers and emphasis on the game and Italy winning it. This; almost as if we who were so far from the game could influence it in any real way but we would cheer on till the end and if we lost so be it but we would be heard or at least in that bar. I even remember how Gabriela suffered during that half time saying she would go home and cry if Italy lost and it was then that I saw perhaps for the first time how football is a game that really makes fans endure, very strong emotions even when their team did manage to come out on top.



The second half stared and we took our places, rejuvenated and hopeful that it would be us who would be going through to the next round, almost as if we were the one's who were playing. Naturally, we all had ordered drinks during halftime which in a way strengthened our will to see Italy win, with most ordering beer for the occasion while I another iced coffee.



The second half started with Nigeria backed up to their own half as Italy went forward, at first not with total abandon but they were definitely playing in an attack mode. Nigeria was apparently content to let Italy attack while they sat back and looked to counter attack, which was a good strategy given their solid defense and fast forwards who were always a danger, specially should they get a ball in the clear, with Italy's defenders behind them.



Time was passing and still the score remained against us but the less minutes were left in the second half, the more it came to be that Italy was not only playing against Nigeria but the clock, which had gone past the 75 minute mark. It was at this point that the game started to be played, almost exclusively in Nigeria's part, not even half but quarter of the field, with the occasional exception being the ball that they could clear past their own midfield.



Italy was controlling the game clearly and the pressure was enormous but what of it? If we were still losing, though getting closer and closer. There were even calls for penalties by some Italian players and us the fans which the referee seemed to pay no mind to. The situation however would take on more drama as if that were possible.



Gianfranco Zola, was clearly fouled in the penalty box but rather than give Italy a penalty the Mexican referee simply waved for play to go on, which Zola did by going over to the player who thanks to a foul had taken the ball away from him and doing likewise to him, only without a foul. Zola took away the ball cleanly but in spite of this was shown the red card; as the player he who took the ball from fell or perhaps did so intentionally, given that he was not even touched by Zola. This can be clearly seen by those who view this action, now available on Youtube.



Italy was down to ten men, loosing by 1-0 to Nigeria, with the clock running out and facing early elimination from the world cup but I had not lost hope for we could do it at any second the question was would it be in time? Many around me at that moment were saying that Roberto Baggio had let everybody down and that all had been hype about him, while others just watched to see the end believing it was all over and there were those who put the blame squarely on Maldini. Insults were being hurled at the TV by many of the "tifossi" at almost everybody on the field, though most of it was aimed at the referee while I for my part felt that our goal would come and that all the pressure had to yield something.



It was something I will never forget, time was almost down to nothing when Italy got in the Nigerian penalty box; one more time as they had done on numerous occasions that day but this would probably be our last chance. The box was full of players specially in front of the goal and as Mussi went by a player, he passed off to Baggio and just at that moment with the game about to end, everybody around me stood up. I however was slow to get up, given that there was not even much room to do so with this place being so jammed pack; all of which creating a situation that I could see nothing when suddenly; I heard one of the loudest screams I had ever heard in my life. "Goal" was the word and I was aware it had been Italy's but who had scored I knew not though this did not mater! Italy was equal and with knowledge of this I too started shouting our goal. I would eventually see that our goal had been scored by Baggio, who had struck a ball which some how had managed to squeeze its way through a void created by a Nigerian defender and an Italian player in to the corner of the net.



Relief was everywhere, for we were seeing our dreams coming to end but now we could hope to reach the final once more. The game ended soon after and it was with optimism that we faced the overtime, which we knew would follow but somehow we were sure it would be us who were bound to go through to the next round.



Italy was tired and in spite of which we went forward; as did Nigeria who were no longer winning and just as the first half was drawing to a close and with two minutes left; Dino Baggio lobbed a ball in to the box for Benarrivo. This being dangerously close to the goal; left a Nigerian defender little option but to have to pull Benarrivo down in the box as the referee final called a penalty for us. A penalty it was and who should take it but Roberto Baggio.



We all held our breaths at that moment, almost as if all our lives depended and were hanging on weather he converted that penalty or not. If he did we would be winning and with great chances to go through to the quarterfinals. So, with all of us knowing this; Baggio took our hopes and passions with him as he struck that ball which came ever so close to hitting the post and bouncing out but did manage to sneak in; where the Nigerian goalkeeper had absolutely no chance of reaching. Another shout of "goal" was heard by all present that though not as loud as the first did make our voices a bite hoarse afterward but this did not matter, for we were ahead and such the match would stay till the end.



Italy was in the next round! It had not been easy but no one ever said it would be and as we rejoiced I heard John tell me that he would be going to church everyday after that game or at least till the next match which would be against Spain. Gabriela also celebrated as we had pulled it off and all of us in Bar Napoli could not have been happier about it. As for me, in a personal observation of all that I had seen; did find it comic how in a span of 20 minutes Roberto Baggio went from being the man who had been worthless on the field to being the one who had saved Italy from disgrace or at least in the eyes of those fans in Bar Napoli. Some of whom had even been booing Baggio but after the game turned to say how they knew he would do it.



As for the other matches Brazil had gone through after a match in which they won 1-0 against the USA, who had given a much better showing than many would have ever anticipated against such a strong team. In fact Brazil had even had one of their strongest attackers sent off for a most brutal foul against Tab Ramos, of the US. This player being left with a broken head which required him to be hospitalized, while Brazil's Leonardo was suspended for the rest of the tournament. Brazil however despite having more problems than anticipated was in the quarterfinals; even if this was nothing new for them as they had been there many times before though not in the previous world cup.



In other matches Argentina, much to my delight lost 2-3, eliminated by Romania; who at that moment become one of the tournament's favorites to go all the way, after having beaten an Argentine team that had not played badly in spite of being without Maradona and Caniggia. Germany also got by; though they really had things go their way when the referee clearly failed to call a penalty for Belgium which would have made a big difference given that Germany ended up winning by 3-2. As a footnote I will add that the referee who missed this penalty, later admitted that his had been in fact an error which had obviously cost Belgium dearly. Naturally other teams had qualified to the quarterfinals but for Italy, all that they really cared about was that so had they.



After the game I went to my favorite pizzeria in Green Point Brooklyn, which was owned by Mike, a young man who happened to be a fellow Italian American though he could not speak the language of his ancestors, unlike Lorenzo. This man being an Italian born immigrant whose job it was to make pizza in this place which I had grown so found of in the time I had been among its customers. Mike, was glad Italy had won but doubted we could beat Spain, which led to us laying down a small wager of five dollars, with me taking Italy and him taking Spain and by virtue of which going against his heart's desire that Italy should win.





World Cup USA 94, Quarterfinal (Italy vs. Spain)



An article about Italy's match vs. Spain in the world cup USA 94 and how thanks to Germany's defeat; I managed to get a ticket to the semifinal.



There is not much I can say regarding Italy's match against Spain; other than I saw it in "Bar Napoli" in the company of those who had been there for Italy's previous match and the already known fact that we won 2-1. Naturally as with any quarterfinal match, this one was not without its great moments which saw cheers from us; Italy's ever faithful "tifossi". The first of which coming at the 25 minute mark when a long range effort from Dino Baggio found the back of the Spanish net and put us ahead 1-0, which was also the score that ended the opening half.



The second half started as one can expect with Spain, the team that was loosing going forward and eventually getting an equalizer from Caminero; 58 minutes in to the match, when his shoot bounced off Costcurta and past Pagliuca (back after a two game suspension) and in to the net. Italy however was not going to be denied or at least not on that day as with two minutes remaining Signori (Lazio) managed to flick the ball over to Roberto Baggio, who found himself in a one on one situation with Spanish goalkeeper, Zubizarreta. We all held our breath's at that moment for we knew Baggio could score but just the same we needed to see him do it. Baggio took the ball with his right foot and went by Zubizarreta but perhaps opened himself too wide of the goal and just as it seemed he had no angle to shoot from; what should happen, as we the fans in Bar Napoli watched in total anxiety? Baggio while falling down manages to get a shot off that barely filtered past Spanish defender Abelardo (sliding in to prevent a goal) and in to the back of the net; sending Italian fans everywhere in to a wild celebration along with ear bursting screams of "goal".



We were winning by 2-1 and that is how it would end though before the end of the match; AC Milan's Tassoti would get himself an eight match suspension for breaking the nose of Spanish forward Luis Enrrique. Italy had had its problems but what mattered to us; its fans was that we had won and would be going to the semifinal. All of which meaning that if worse came to worse; Italy would end up being among the top four teams in the world for the 5th time in the last seven world cups, though we were hoping for best coming to best which would have meant becoming champs for the 2nd time in the last four world cups.



Italy was in the semifinal, so the question was who would join them and I must say I expected it to be Germany, which would have set up another semifinal between Italy and Germany as had been the case in Mexico 70. Naturally with such a big match as would have been Italy vs. Germany in the semifinal; my chances of getting a ticket seemed limited to say the least, specially given my lack of funds at the time.



Italy vs. Germany would be a great match and though the German's were the defending champions, it was clear to see that four years had passed by and those same players who had won the title in Italia 90 were only the same in name but by no means in form. Germany had gotten through to the quarterfinals more on their name and the fear it brought on other teams, not to mention a penalty which should have been called for Belgium but was not. This being the case for Germany while for Bulgaria; it was one of them having won their first match in a world cup after having played in five previous editions.



Bulgaria in that world cup; after a bad start in which they lost their first match 3-0 against Nigeria went on to win their first ever match in a world cup by beating Greece 4-0. It was this first victory that saw the Bulgarians and above all Stoickov; go from strength to strength. As they would go on to beat Argentina 2-0 and then Mexico; in penalties in the round of 16 to get to where they were in a position to play Germany for the right to be in the semifinal.



Germany on that day started well, going up 1-0 in the scoreboard when after 47 minutes, their captain; Mattaus put them a head, with a well taken penalty. Bulgaria, however had not come so far just to give up after one goal and it only took them 18 minutes to level the score at one a piece, when a brilliantly struck free kick by Stoickov found the back of the German net. Germany was in for a battle and it would get worse as three minutes later Bulgaria's always solid defender Leckov put away a header in the back of the German net to make the score 2-1 in Bulgaria's favor. Germany were now loosing and though they had made many come backs in the past, this would not be one of them; as perhaps lack of motivation or age did not allow them to be the German team of old but regardless of anything Bulgaria was through to the semifinals. They were the ones who would be playing against "La squadra Azurri" and not Germany, as many so called experts had predicated.



As for the other semifinal match; it would be Sweden against Brazil, with these two teams meeting both for the second time in USA 94 (first game ending 1-1) and the sixth time in the world cup. This second figure still being in fact the record for the most times two teams have faced each other in the world cup. I for my part could imagine that Brazil; after a hard fought match would beat Sweden but then again it might be the Swedes to pull of an upset and reach the final but before that could happen they would have to beat Brazil for the first time in a world cup.



By then I had become a regular, not only in Bar Napoli but in "Little Italy" where I was known in every bar and restaurant, as I had just about seen a match in every one of them, however I will never forget the opportunity that was presented to me two days before Italy's semifinal encounter against Bulgaria. It happened while I was sitting outside one of these very places, waiting for my beer that a lady I knew approached me asking if I wanted to buy a ticket for Italy's semifinal match. The answer was clear that I wanted the ticket she claimed to have but was almost sure that her asking price would be beyond my means so I asked more from curiosity than with intensions of buying how much she wanted for the ticket? She though this I do not recall the exact amount mentioned a price which almost shocked me, as it was well within what I could afford and even had on me at the time. I naturally said "yes" with a huge smile on my face and just as I was about to reach for my wallet; this lady informed me that she did not have the ticket on her but could go and get it in less than ten minutes.



I must confess to have been very enthusiastic at that point and just as she was about to go I asked her what kind of seats they were and if they were not too high up; as I might have problems with blood coming out of my nose if they were. Perhaps, it was this bit of American humor which this lady from Naples did not really understand that made her in a slightly annoyed fashion tell me that such could only be the case if the height in question were above several thousand meters. This joke obviously not translating well in to Italian.



As I waited on this hot day, I started pondering the reason that she was selling tickets to the semifinals so cheaply and even came up with some ideas that perhaps what she was offering was not "the real McCoy" so to speak. This was after all a world cup semifinal and though I had heard of a case back in Chile 62, where as few as 8,000 fans attended the semifinal between Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, it struck me as odd that she would be offering this ticket for so little and that one was available at such a late stage. I, however did not have long to consider the matter because just as I was waiting; a man came by from the Belgium football federation who offered me not only a better ticket but one that was even cheaper at 90 USD. I, being one not to waste such chances took out my money as fast as my hand could get to my wallet and paid the man 90 bucks; who handed me the ticket which I kept for many a year or at least till I gave it to the owner of San Lorenzo in Warsaw. This the Italian restaurant where this ticket currently finds itself decorating the wall of.



I was overjoyed to have this ticket which had all the signs of being the genuine article, like the ones I had bought before but still I wondered how come this man was selling a ticket that on it had a face value of 200 USD for 90, this not even being half; so I asked. The answer I got was one which I recommend all those who are fans of football to never forget; as it will be useful to them in the future to get cheap tickets to big games and it was as follows. This man told me that many Germans bought tickets when they found out that Germany would be playing the semifinal in Giant's Stadium but when it turned out that their team lost; a lot of them, thousands to be precise decided it would be preferable to sell their tickets. This I imagined because they had probably purchased their tickets with the sole intension of seeing Germany in the semifinal, for the game in and of itself they could watch on TV.



Second of all; I also figured that the German's who had made the trip over to America just to watch the world cup were probably staying in hotels, which they would no longer have to pay for if they simply sold their tickets at what ever price they could get, even if at a loss and just hopped the plane back home. I, however do not think the situation would have been so desperate; for instance when both Italy and Germany failed to qualify to the finals in the world cups played in their countries as those fans were probably not looking to get back home but I can see it as being similar. The moral however one can deduce from this is that when two great teams are expected to meet in a match and one of those teams is eliminated before; it usually leaves a lot of desperate fans seeking to sell tickets, which for the most part should make the price go down, as there would be no sense in anybody buying those tickets after the game, unless they wanted a souvenir. Furthermore regarding this matter, I could add that this is probably what would have happened in 2002 if Brazil had lost to Turkey in their semifinal match, which would have meant a final between Germany and Turkey.



As expected however the lady who had first offered me a ticket came back and was disappointed to see that I had bought another one from someone else but did understand that the opportunity had presented itself and she, of course could always sell her ticket to another fan. I, however for my part was thrilled I would be seeing "La Squadra Azurri" playing in the semifinal of the world cup and all I could think of was, first buying a large Italian flag, (bigger than the one I already had) and then showing my ticket to all those at my favorite pizzeria in Brooklyn. I even made up my mind to give them the Italian flag I already had as a present since I was planning on getting a bigger one.



Life, I must say was beautiful at that moment (like the name of that film with Roberto Bennini) and as I sat in Little Italy, now sipping my beer, I heard to gentlemen at a table next to me speaking Spanish. This prompting me to ask them in Spanish, where they were from and telling them that though I was Italian American, I did speak Spanish because my mother was from South America. As it turned out that these two gentlemen were from Ecuador, and it was with great enthusiasm that I told them I was going to be watching Italy vs. Bulgaria live, while they told me they had seen Germany vs. Bulgaria live. We went on to talk about other things though for the most part given that we met during a world cup limited ourselves to football, touching upon such topics as the recent killing of Escobar, which all of us without hesitation condemned as well as the cartels in Colombia. One of these men telling me that one of the cartels had bet in favor of Colombia while the other against. All creating a tense situation and as we also agreed upon, a team needs to have a 100% concentration in a world cup and be playing at its best to have any chance of winning, with me adding that even when a team was doing that; things would still be difficult.



In this most pleasant conversation, I also remember telling these two gents that during my 1984 visit to Ecuador I had met the famous "Vito Munoz", with whom I had a very interesting conversation, naturally about football as he was and still is a very well known local sports commentator. I, for my part got to ask one question, which I had been waiting for a long time to ask somebody from Ecuador, which was why Ecuador had never managed to qualify to a world cup? After all I had been in their country, where I had seen many Ecuadorians playing football; both on a professional level and even on the streets and they definitely were not bad at the sport but quit the contrary. I even remarked how Barcelona (a team from Guayaquil, not to be confused with the one from Spain going by the same name) had made it to the final of the "Copa Libertadores" in 1990; eliminating Brazilian and Argentine teams on their way.



Additionally to my question, I added the comment that if, for instance Venezuela did not qualify to the world cup; the answer was simply that they stunk at the game, and this I say not to offend anybody from this country but because it is true. I mean lets face, baseball is their sport, not football. My question and comments actually made both men laugh as it was one that not only had been raised by many foreigners but several Ecuadorians themselves however this they could not answer and it was with good wishes that we parted company as I headed to my favorite pizzeria in Brooklyn.





World Cup USA 94, Semifinal (Italy vs. Bulgaria)



An article about the time I attended that match in which Italy defeated Bulgaria and by virtue of doing so qualified to the final of USA 94.



It was the summer of 1994 and I found myself in the United States, where all the action was happening concerning the world of football and once again like in the previous world cup held in 1990, Italy had qualified to the semifinal. This however was four years later and how we had suffered to get back to the place we had been in the world cup held on our own soil? This was something only known to us; Italy's fans and naturally their players who had been forced to survive 5 grueling matches, one of which included over time.



We had also lost a game and drawn one, given up four goals, had our goalkeeper and Zola sent off, our captain had been operated on and Tasotti had been suspended for throwing an elbow which led to his suspension for the rest of the tournament. All of which was in stark contrast to Italia 90, where we had sailed in to the semifinal; winning every single game in the process and without as mush as conceding a single goal or needing overtime or having anybody get in to trouble regarding red or even yellow cards. There were no doubts that getting to the semifinal in Italy 90 had been much easier than in this world cup 94 but regardless of which we had made it through the difficult road.



I my opinion, all those difficult moments had even been better for the team and the its players. As it made them tougher; not only mentally but as a unit, who learnt to stick together when things got thorny. Perhaps it was that lack of having had any really difficult games that left Italy mentally unprepared when the going got tough against Argentina, specially after the equalizer and eventual overtime. This however was another world cup, in which Italy had been tested and Bulgaria would be the last hurdle before the final but we knew we could win though we had learnt against Ireland that there was no such thing as a sure victory. Making it certain that we were not going underestimate Bulgaria, particularly with players like Kostadinov, Balakov, Leckov and Stoickow. The last of these players having scored five goals in the competition up and till that point, apart from being the one who clearly motivated the rest.



On the day of the match I put on my trusty Italian shirt, the one of the Nazionale Di Calcio (National Football Team) and took my Italian flag; all to make it clear that I was a supporter of "La Scuadra Azurra", who all my hopes and dreams would be backing against Bulgaria to win and advance through to the final. Italians were everywhere at Port Authority, seemingly out numbering Bulgarian supporters by at least 4 to 1 or perhaps even more.



In all truth the atmosphere was one I will never forget, and not just because of the memories but of the sensations I was experiencing. Flags and banners of all kinds decorated this which was normally a bus station in what without much room for doubt in my mind was a grand display of Italian pride and almost fanaticism toward that which was not only our national sport but that of most countries.



The trip to Giant's Stadium in the meadowlands was one I had gotten used to by then, after having already made it twice but on this occasion we would be playing for the right to be in the grand final; held only once every four years. All of which making it easy to see why this, for me would be a day which would stay with me forever, specially given another factor. In the history of the world cup, despite all the nations that play football as a main sport which number over 100, only ten nations had ever made it to a final, with one of these countries, in the form of Czechoslovakia, not even being around anymore.



Getting to a final was not easy, this anybody who knew anything about football could attest to and yet Italy were on the verge of doing it but then again so was Bulgaria, and all they would need is one exceptional game from arguably their greatest player ever by the name of Stoickov and it would be Sofia which would be celebrating until the final. Naturally at the expense of Italy and probably our greatest player of all time; Roberto Baggio, who though not as gifted as his majesty "Diego Maradona", was what I would say 80% percent of the same which made him great just for having so much of this legend who was beyond any in what could be called natural ability. Yes, Italy had the team to be there but would we win for this was but one game and anything could happen.



It was more than a feeling as I entered the Stadium and took my seat, which was literary, in the last row but this being Giant's Stadium, which did not have an athletic track; made it possible for me to see things not so badly and what I missed I could always watch later. This due to the fact that I would be recording the game on my VCR, as DVD players had not been invented yet, let alone those that could record. I felt in a way that I was a part of Italian football history, something I would be able to tell my children should I ever have any that I was there when Italy played Bulgaria in the "World Cup USA 94".



Once seated I looked around and it seemed like a sea of flags, and all of them were red, white and green though not all Italian as the flag of those who would be our worthy opponents for the day were also of the same colors. This being the case even if the strips of the Bulgarian flag were horizontal as opposed to ours which were vertical. Banners of all kinds were also available, from those fans; who came from Italy itself to those like myself who represented different aspects of Italy's huge community which had spread through out the world.



The anthems sounded and though I did not mark which came first, my mind will never rid itself of the image of practically the whole stadium standing up for the Italian National Anthem; "Fratelli D' Italia" or "Brothers Of Italy". This being what we were as not all of us who supported Italy were born in the old country yet this mattered not for our roots were there which was what did and like the words claim "Brothers of Italy, Italy has awaken", which was precisely what happened. Voices, thousands upon thousands of them cried out Mameli's words which were put to music in honor of Italian patriotism, even claiming "Siam pronti a la morte" (we are ready to die), which of course would not be the case that day, regardless of weather Italy won or not but the feeling was the same for this ever crucial match.



After the emotional display of singing our anthem, the game began and as it did I noticed that those around me, despite having on Italian shirts were, neither Italian nor descendents of which but this also held little importance for they too supported the same cause or so they claimed. In fact they were American of the White Anglo Saxon variety, who through out the tournament had taken up the Italian flag.



As for the game, Italy started strongly dominating Bulgaria, of course there was a danger in this and not just from the threat of counter attacks which Stoickov's speed and talent were more than capable of making us pay for but Italy would use up a lot of energy, apart from not being able to maintain this tempo through out the whole match. Italy would eventually get tired, specially given the tremendous heat of that day and then it would be Bulgaria's turn to dominate. Italy however was playing sensationally but what if no goals came as a result of it and they wore themselves out in their efforts. Baggio and company came close on several occasions but Mihailov (Bulgaria's goalkeeper) held strongly as did the rest of Bulgaria or at least till Baggio pulled of one the greatest plays I have ever seen in a game I witnessed live in which he takes a ball past two defenders and from an angle, with a swerving curling shot beats Bulgaria's solid goalkeeper to put us in the lead 1-0. A great goal by a player of equal quality which can be seen by those who have not yet on youtube; as can other highlights from this semifinal.



The screams of goal were incredibly loud and why should it have been other, since Italy was a head; 20 minutes in to the match? We were wining but cocky was not something we could afford to be; for we had also been in front against Argentina and the Netherlands, in previous world cup matches that would have taken us to the final and yet we on both occasions faltered. Italy continued its attack, a ball hit the Bulgarian post as we again came so close but it did not take long when five minutes after our first goal, a second came to make the score 2-0. Roberto Baggio again found the mark, in a play were he beat both the Bulgarian offside trap as well as their goalkeeper; one more time to put us, in a most commanding position. It was ecstasy all around for Italy's supporters who had taken a large step on what would be their road to the final and how we could feel it, as we screamed out our second goal, perhaps with even more gusto than the first one.



The game however continued and the more it did the more Italy lost their domination on the field, both due to fatigue, the heat and above all Bulgaria, who had not come this far in this world cup to simply give up. They had not only won their first ever world cup match but had beaten two previous world cup winners, therefore it was expected that they would not simply roll over after only two goals, which is precisely what they did not do. Kostadinov, Leckov and above all Stoickov started becoming more and more dangerous, as our defense was forced to buckle down for what would be a furry of Bulgarian attacks. This after all was a game which one could only win or loose, draws did not matter nor by how much one lost, as loosing by two goals was the same as doing so by a hundred, all of which leading to Bulgaria throwing caution to the wind, in desperate all out attack to get back in it.



Bulgaria sent just about everybody forward, their game growing daring, as they imposed their presence on our half of the field. So much pressure had to bring about something which was what came, when Pagliuca was forced to tackle Sirakov, who had gone past three Italian defenders and was about to score when he was fouled by our goalkeeper in the box. A penalty it was and who but Stoickov should take it and score. Bulgaria was still trailing but now by only 2-1 and with ever mounting confidence why would it be inconceivable that a second and an equalizer would come their way? Italy was not going through a good moment but such was fortune that the half ended two minutes after Bulgaria's first goal, just as they were controlling play and might have produced one to tie up matters.



The break saw Italy's tifossi celebrate but not overly as Bulgaria was more than capable of scoring in the 45 minutes still to come and not just one to even the game up but two which would send them on their way to the final and Italy once again to the disappointing and almost pointless match that was held for third place.



The second half got under way, but the break seemed to take something out of the Bulgarian attack, as if there moment had passed and the game became more evened out. Italy and Bulgaria basically played out the second half; both tired though this favored the Azurri who were leading. The second half however was not free of controversy when the ball hit Costacurta's hand in the box, in an action that would have meant a second penalty for Bulgaria, had it not been for the referee who ruled it accidental. This being that the ball hit the hand of the player in question when it was next to his body, as opposed to when it does so with the players arms being up from his sides; which is always given as a free kick or penalty, depending on where the infraction takes place regardless of weather their was intension or not.



Italy however dogged a bullet and was still a head and we the "Fratelli D' Italia" felt more and more in the final. I eventually moved down to another level to see things closer and managed to be extra close to the action for the last ten minutes. Italy however was not going to get out of this game so easily and problems started as the game was winding down. First one came when Costcurta got his second yellow card of the tournament, which meant he would not be playing in the final but this was not so bad, for if anything Italy had defenders and good ones at that to spare.



Loosing Costacurta for the final was an acceptable loss as Mussi or Apolloni could easily take his place but Roberto Baggio was a different story, it had been basically he; our star player who had won the last three games for us scoring five goals in the process. This man would be a tremendous absence and what should happen as we waited for the final whistle but Baggio getting injured. Baggio limped of the field and not even under his own power but assisted by trainers, in what had to have been a serious contusion. Worried we were though not so much for this game but the final however for the moment we waited for the end of the game which came with Italy a head 2-1.



It felt like glory extraordinaire at that moment, for us; Italy's fans. We would be playing the final, true Baggio was injured, and two of our key defenders would not be eligible due to yellow cards but still we had made it. How we started celebrating at that moment with hugs and kisses; as if all of us had won the lottery which in a way we had, while men and women alike went about shouting Italia, Italia.



I for my part will never forget taking a photograph of two Bulgarian supporters; who were brother and sister and in fact Bulgarian American, as they still waved their flag proudly after the loss. For what shame could their be in losing in a competitive match; in a semifinal specially for a team that had never even won a world cup match before USA 94. I naturally congratulated them on their country's not only fine performance in that game but world cup, as they had really given a good account of themselves, despite the expectations of many that they would not even get past the first round.



Italy however had won and as we filled out we could not get over how we would be in the final. Italy had done it but there was still an additional hurdle which more than likely would be Brazil but that would be later, for we; Italy's fans were delighted in spite of having to see our best player carried of the field. This almost at the end of the game but this we figured would not be such a huge problem; as Baggio would be in the final, no matter what we had to inject him with, for it is a fact that football is not a matter of life and death but even more important.



It was on the bus home that I made a comment that caught the attention of many and perhaps could have caused a small riot, if less civil people had been present. My words being "Loro sono proximo" (they are next) when I saw two gentlemen wearing the yellow jersey of Brazil, who in fact were Brazilians claiming they wished no animosity toward us. As I also explained for my own that my statement had not been made in malice but with intension of pointing out that Brazil, who were already playing against Sweden would more than likely be our next and final opponent in USA 94.



Friendly was our conversation, meaning mine along with several other Italians with these two Brazilian fans, who could also see that an Italy-Brazil final would be another classic. Naturally, we inclined toward a result as had been in Spain 82 or France 38 while they surely toward one more similar to what occurred in Mexico 70 or Argentina 78, however in all this discussion nobody lost sight that enemies we were not but rivals, in a contest that would only decide a trophy and not which nation was better, for none would be worse.





World Cup USA 94, Final (Italy Vs. Brazil)





An article about how, we the brothers of Italy were able to find comfort in a dramatic loss in the first final ever to go in to penalties.



The date was July 17, 1994 and in many ways it was another Sunday in the summer that had been that year with the exception that on that day Italy would be playing Brazil for the right to be crowned World Cup champion, in a tournament that unlike many was only held once every four years. This making it all the more important to win, at any cost and how those of us who supported either Italy or Brazil knew this to be true.



It being a final, that with Italy playing saw my enthusiasm along with optimism for an Italian victory raise to peak levels as I put on the jersey of the azzuri, which I would wear along with a white cap; also of the Italian national football team, as I waved the red, green and white of the national flag from where my father did come from. Victory I must say was all that was on my mind that afternoon as I got ready to go watch the game, for all I could think about was how great it was going to be to celebrate seeing Italy win its fourth world title; music would be played in honor of the occasion and there was sure to be great big party, which all those who were fans of Italy would partake in.



There is one thing that is both great and tragic about being Italy, Brazil, Germany or Argentina in football and this being that nothing but total victory will bring on celebrations, for second, third and fourth are simply not what it is about, for we are the best and as such must achieve results of the same. Sweden and Bulgaria had come in third and fourth respectively and to them this had been cause for celebration in their countries however for Italy second would have been perhaps not a tragedy but surely not a cause for joy as the quality of our game demanded we win.



It was not that I did not consider defeat to be a possibility, specially given the fact that we were playing against Brazil, a team which if anything was going to the final with less injuries than we were. After all two of our greatest players Baresi and R. Baggio would be playing, almost injured. This being the case though it had come to be my believe (which I still hold till this day) that in sports as in many things, defeat is not something we should ever plan for till it arrives, though our minds should always hold place for it incase it should arrive, as it is wisest in my counsel to always know victory can by all means be but by none has to be.



As for Brazil and Italy, they had already met on one occasion in the final, to be exact 24 years prior; with Brazil coming out on top by an overwhelming score of 4-1 to claim their third title along with the right to hang on to the Julies Rimet trophy. This given that Brazil by virtue of having beat Italy on that day so many years ago become the first country to have won the title three times. Italy in 82 however would go on to claim her third title, to put her on level terms with Brazil and Germany who in 90 would go on to claim its third title as well.



There was a strange feeling upon my arrival in Bar Napoli, as I had been there before for important games in this tournament but in a way this one was more so, as it would decide all, one game to proclaim a winner, while for the defeated team there would be four years to ponder where they had gone wrong. As in the previous occasions John and Gabriella had made their way to the place where we had suffered so much, all in hope and desire to see Italy win, as we had till that point and as we spoke before the game, I sensed a tension amongst ourselves, as if we were standing at the gateway of something great. For we were so close yet it was by a no means a certainty that ours would be to enter this sacred place of being world champions.



It was also on this day that many who had not been following the world cup or at least not in Bar Napoli, came as this final was attracting people from all around; even some Americans who in fact knew almost nothing about our brand of football and even less of what this game really meant to us. I for my part must even say that it was grand to see how this sport which had never really been mainstream in America was attracting those who before would have shown little if any interest. I, on this day recall holding a conversation with a young lady from Atlanta, who seemed astonished by how much it meant to us that Italy win to the point where, it seemed like a matter of life and death; only to be told that it was even more important than that, as Bill Shankly had once said.



At the start of the game the atmosphere was tense as it had been back in 1982, the last time Italy reached a final, for we knew this would be an incredibly difficult match for both teams; where the margin of victory would be either a mistake by one of the two sides or a spark of brilliance. It being what we were counting Roberto Baggio to provide for us with while Brazil was doing likewise from Romario. The first few minutes of the game as one can expect started with Brazil going on offense, with Italy going back in to defensive positions; always waiting to take advantage of those badly made passes, in order to go on the counter. All in a system of marking commonly referred to as "pressing".



This was a final and like with any other pressure was high, which made every moment count but the reality was that few good chances came about for either side in this first half, with perhaps Italy having the best one. This being the case when Daniele Massaro after a long ball got past Mauro Silva, only to loss his nerve when faced with the presence of Brazil's goalkeeper Tafarel, who managed to save his weak shot, from a position which by all accounts should have been a goal. As for myself, it was as if my eyes as well as those around me were glued to the action; as if the rest of the world not only did not matter but did not even exist, for it was when I saw Massaro with a clear shot on goal from inside the box that I got ready to scream out a goal at the top of my lungs for all to hear yet it was not to be.



The game that day in all honesty was perhaps to intensely fought to see many clear chances for either team. This due to how marking was tight all over the field; to say that least however Romario and Bebeto would create two good chances for Brazil, while the clearest one coming on what was a huge mistake by our goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca. This occurring when a poorly taken shot slipped through his hands and bounced in front of him and on to the post, which he would kiss in gratitude, as it did save us from disaster. Roberto Baggio, who was being followed everywhere however did have a moment in which he got of a hard shot; wide of the mark which perhaps under healthier conditions he would have at least had on target.



The game ended 0-0, as it began, so overtime was the case, which in reality would be required for the fifth time to solve which team would win the tournament. Italy was tired but then again so was Brazil, yet if truth be told the game had been what could be hailed as mediocre but be that as it may it was a final which no one could afford to loose. The 30 minutes of overtime brought about few chances but some very clear ones, specially for Italy when Roberto Baggio got the ball in the clear but perhaps at too much of an angle; not only from the goal but his body as the shot he got off gave little if any real trouble to Brazilian goalkeeper Tafarel. I, of course to this day feel that history would have been another had Baggio been up to form that day but can one really blame a man, who had had to be carried off in the previous game? A man who also more than likely was playing on strong pain killers? Baggio's after all was not a lack of effort but health which would make itself all too clear, in almost everything he did that day however in all reality Brazil, also did not allow him much if any freedom, in the way Maradona was not allowed any in the 86 final by Germany.



For better or worse this was a game, that would end with the same score it began, all of which indicating that it would be penalties to decide which team would be the first one to win four world cups. It would come down to these kicks to decide it all, which team had the penalty takers with the strongest nerves, would it be us or them? We all held our breaths as if the fate of Italy and its penalty takers, known in Italian as "rigoriste" meant our very lives.



Italy would be kicking first as they had four years ago against Argentina, and like then it would be Franco Baresi to go first. He had scored his penalty then, so we felt he should do it again but unlike then Baresi's shot sailed over the bar which meant Brazil would be kicking to go up 1-0. It was then that our hopes turned in to seeing Brazil miss one or perhaps our goalkeeper coming up with a great save and it was precisely this that occurred when Pagliuca kept Santos's penalty from going in to the net, to maintain the 0-0 score. A great roar was heard as Brazil's first kicker missed, for we the tiffosi of Italy knew we were back on level terms, still with a chance to go up 1-0 and become world champions. Albertini approached the spot and what relieve it was as his shot went past Tafarel, giving us a slight 1-0 lead. Romario however came next for Brazil and how he flirted with a miss; as his shot hit the inside of the post, barely going in the net, making the score 1-1. We came so close as ours almost become a huge scream only to be disappointed, as I could tell from the looks about me from those who like myself had been following Italy since their first game against Ireland. Gabriella for her part, was an amazing sight; this being a young lady who held no connection what so ever with Italy and yet she was as dependent on an Italian win as were the rest of us. She perhaps more than anybody symbolized to me at that moment what it was to love a football team, as she in all truth was living it with us, as much as any; with all the suffering that in fact is passion. For what is this so often mentioned emotion but wanting something, till the point where we hurt inside for what we are so much in hope of getting, to the extreme that even when we have it, we are still unfulfilled.



After Romario's near miss both Evani (for Italy) and Branco (for Brazil) scored without any major difficulty, leaving it up to Massaro who much to our grief missed, leaving matters at 2-2 with Dunga about to take his turn. Dunga however scored giving Brazil the lead at 3-2 and putting Italy on the verge of defeat. This left it all up to Roberto Baggio, for if he missed it would be all over, as Brazil would claim their fourth title, at our expense. Of course, if Baggio did what most of us supposed he could; it would all come down to Brazil's Bebeto to determine matters as a goal from him would result in the same.



We were on the brink of loosing, yet there was still hope as a goal by Baggio and then a save by Pagliuca would tie up matters one more time and continue this agony which was penalty kicks. In all honesty I must say that a Baggio miss was something I had not really counted on, as my mind was rather looking forward to seeing if Bebeto's nerves would hold up to convert Brazil's fifth spot kick.



Baggio stepped up to the ball and as he did, it seemed that time stood still for a moment, almost as if the whole world had done so for that matter. Baggio then struck the ball and as he did it much to our disbelief went over the crossbar, making in unnecessary for any more penalty kicks to be taken, as Brazil had won it all. It was the sight of Baggio standing at the penalty spot with his head down, while Brazilians everywhere cheered that I will remember most from this world cup final. For Baggio it must have been a situation similar to that of Ramades in the opera Aida, who at one point had been hailed as a hero of Egypt, only to later be executed for unintentional treason. Baggio had saved us from certain defeat in the round of eight, given us victory against both Spain and Bulgaria yet for all this he had just handed Brazil its fourth title. I however would not be so quick to blame Baggio, given he was not the only one to miss however his was the one that put an end to all our dreams.



We had lost, there was nothing to be said or hoped for; as ours would be to come in second place, though this by no means signified we were the second best team, just that we were the ones who had managed to avoid the winners till the final. This not being the case with countries like the USA, Netherlands or Sweden who had been forced to play Brazil in the rounds prior to the final. Of course Italy unlike the rest had made Brazil extend themselves, as far as not only overtime but penalties but at the end it had all been in their favor not ours that it had ended.



Italy had played a great tournament, making it to the final but there is a lot of truth in the American saying "you are only as good as your last game", and we had not won. Sadness was everywhere as people paid their checks and Gabriella cried as if at a funeral along with many others, myself included. We even tried to consol ourselves by saying that perhaps Brazil had played not better than us but had had the better chances and therefore deserved to win but this was not the point, for we had come so close. A few penalties going our way, Romario's shot going a few more millimeters left and it would have been ours, naturally if Baresi and Baggio had scored yet it was not the way it went.



After a few minutes of hugs, amongst ourselves and disappointment we did manage to leave Bar Napoli with all the dignity that did not see anything broken or smashed; as defeat is something one must accept gracefully. Once outside in a show of support however the chorus "Italia, Italia, Italia" was heard for about ten minutes as we let it be known that we were not ashamed that we had supported the team we had and would gladly do it again and would be in the world cups to come. For this above all be known that a fan is one who stands behind his or her team; win or loose, which is what we in our case were doing.



I for my part went home and on my way bought a Brazilian cap for a young waitress whom I had made a bet with, this being the case since I was not able to find a flag. It was also on my way home that I came to the conclusion that loosing was not so bad, if one gave it one's best and with no regrets, specially since Italy had not really lost in what could be called play but in penalties. All of which saving face that ours had been to come arguably closer to winning than any other loosing team in the history of the world cup, and though this had not finished in what we all had wanted it had seen us get to the final. In a road which had past many great emotions, which for all of us who lived them were not in vain. For this above all was our sport and we would be back to compete for more titles.



Regarding Italy and Brazil, they have played several games since that Sunday in 94 but none of any importance that went beyond a friendly however it is with great anticipation that I await another encounter with our great rival.