A Classic Semi-Final

If you watched the Germany v. Italy semi-final match today, and found it boring, then you're just not going to enjoy soccer. Or you could watch coverage in a country (the UK) that knows soccer, as I had the great opportunity to do so today. Hearing English commentators made me realize even more just how bad ESPN/ABC coverage has been.

This match demonstrated that a 0-0 scoreline does not preclude tremendous end-to-end, free-flowing soccer. Each team generated several great scoring opportunities, only to be thwarted by even better defending and goalkeeping. Soccer is so demanding, that it's understandable players took pauses to catch their breath--but not for long. Finally, we saw players getting up quickly after taking a knock, and a referee who managed to maintain control, allowed the match to flow, without resorting to cards and penalties.

Truth be told, Italy was the better team. In fact, Argentina was the better team against Germany, but this German team has over-achieved. Klinsmann took a team with only a couple of superstars and took them within two minutes of the finals. Does anyone doubt that Germany would have won a penalty kick shootout? And let's offer tremendous credit to the Germans for not playing negatively or cynically for penalty kicks. Germany looked more fatigued at the end, perhaps because having to chase a team with superior play took its toll.

For the first goal, four German defenders lost sight of Grosso and chased Pirlo holding the ball. Pirlo's pass was a wonderful reverse pass that gave Grosso the opening--and he made no mistake. It was simultaneously sad and fitting to see Ballack moving through the box to close the space on Grosso. He has done so much to propel this German team, but even he couldn't save them on this occasion.

After the match ended, the fans in the stands immediately waved their German flags and clapped for their team. As Boris Becker stated in an interview, "we displayed patriotism, not nationalism." And rightly so. They should be very proud of the way this team played, and what they accomplished. Klinsmann stated that he needs to think about what comes next. The Germans will certainly want him to continue through the Euro 2008. And he'd be crazy to turn down this offer to coach the US team just because he lives in California. It seems, even in soccer, the world is flat and a great manager can manage across continents.

The Italians are worthy finalists. How ironic that their domestic league faces turmoil, discord, and controversy while their national team provides the exact opposite. This team continues to play positive, attractive soccer. They are, as usual, solid in the back, but perhaps more than ever, they feature creative, flowing, energized play in the midfield with deadly strikers up front. Gilardino's vision to note Del Piero--and his willingness to deftly pass him the ball--is the kind of teamwork and skill that Brazil could have, but never, delivered. If we are to be without the samba of Brazilian, then at least we can enjoy the danza seria of the Italians.