The World Cup is over: Italy win the World Cup - Germany are third
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Four weeks of a fantastic festival of football are over. It was a time to make friends. The final day of the 2006 World Cup had two high points: The Germany team said farewell to their fans at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. And later on that evening Italy won the title in the Final against France in the Olympic Stadium.
The winner of the World Cup was only decided by a penalty shoot-out: After an excellent game the score in the match between Italy and France was still 1-1 after 120 minutes. Italy finally came out on top 6-4 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
In the third place play-off in Stuttgart on Saturday evening Germany again showed how they have entertained their enthusiastic fans over the past four weeks: by playing attacking football with passion and joy. Jürgen Klinsmann's team gained a deserved 3-1 win over Portugal to secure third place.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (55 and 78 mins) scored two goals for Germany. Another shot from Schweinsteiger was turned into his own net by a Portuguese defender. Gomez scored a consolation goal for Portugal in the 88th minute.
Chancellor Merkel: Rousing!
An enthusiastic Chancellor Angela Merkel called the encounter a super match: “It was an incredible performance by the German team. Especially in the second-half – it wasn't a losers final but rather an advert for football. Once again we saw how important it is to keep your nerve and wait for your chances.”
The Chancellor praised the stirring performance of the Germany team: “Jürgen Klinsmann's team has had a great tournament.”
The Chancellor was not at the farewell ceremony for Germany in Berlin on Sunday as she already said good-bye to the team on Saturday night and expressed her gratitude: “The team belongs to the fans on Sunday in Berlin.”
82 million thanks to the fans
More information
It truly was a time to make friends - Review by the Federal Goverment on the 2006 World Cup (PDF)