Runners-Up for Claude and Willie G

BACK2BACK
By 41 Years A Blue
July 10 2006

After 64 matches and 147 goals scored, Italy were crowned World Champions for the 4th time last night in the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.

Chelsea are left to celebrate two runners-up in Claude Makelele and William Gallas and two bronze medal winners in new signing Michael Ballack and soon to depart to Middlesbrough Robert Huth.

Zidane made his final International one to remember for all the wrong reasons after being dismissed for a chest head-butt on Italy's Marco Materazzi (who was the scorer of Italy's equaliser and the last WC 2006 goal). Incidentially Zidane scored France's goal from the penalty spot with a 'cheeky' chip that hit the bar that just about crossed the line.

With the exception of the first-half, the game didn't live up to all the hype and expectation and both teams seemed to settle for extra-time and the eventual outcome of a penalty shoot-out.

Trezeguet was the unfortunate recipient of a penalty miss, whereas Italy (useless form in previous penalty shoot-outs) rattled in all five to take the World Cup crown for the fourth time. Does that mean Italy get to keep the trophy outright?

Germany's Miroslav Klose won the Golden Boot for being the competition's top scorer. Italy's Gianluigi Buffon won the Lev Yashin award for being the best goalkeeper in the competition. Brazil and Spain share the FIFA Fair Play award.

41 YEARS BLUE!