U.S. 94, Semifinal (Italy vs. Bulgaria)
Â
It was the summer of 1994 and found myself in the U.S. where all the action was happening on the world of football and once again, as in the previous World Cup in 1990, Italy had qualified for the semifinal. However, this was four years later and the way he had been to return to the place that had been held at the World Cup on our own soil? This was something only known to us; Italya € ™ s fans and of course their players who had been forced to survive grueling 5 games, one which included time.
We had also lost a game and a draw, as four goals, if our goalkeeper and Zola expelled, Captain Tasotti had undergone surgery and was suspended for throwing an elbow that lead to the suspension for the remainder of the tournament. All this was in marked contrast to Italia 90, where had gone to the semifinals, winning every game in the process and no fit slurry as a goal, or need extra time or have anyone to come into problems with red or yellow cards. There was no doubt that reaching the semifinal of Italia 90 had been much easier in this World Cup 94, but whether we had done through the difficult path.
I my opinion, all the tough times have been even better for the team and its players. Because they are more difficult, not only mentally, but as a unit, he learned to stick together when things get thorny. Maybe it was the lack of having very difficult games, which left Italy mentally prepared when things got tough against Argentina, especially after the equalizer and final overtime. However, this was another World Cup, which Italy had been tested and Bulgaria would be the last obstacle before the final, but We knew we could win even though Ireland had learned that there was no such thing as a sure victory. It is true that we would not underestimate Bulgaria, in especially with players like Kostadinov, Balakov, Leckov and Stoickow. The last of these players with five goals in the competition until that point, besides being clearly motivated the rest.
On game day I wore my Italy shirt trust, one of the Nazionale di Calcio (National Football) and it took the Italian flag, all to make it clear that I was a supporter of â € € œLa Scuadra Azurraâ, that all my hopes and dreams would support to Bulgaria to win and advance to the final. The Italians were everywhere for the Port Authority, apparently numbering of the supporters of Bulgaria, at least 4 to 1 or more.
In all truth, the atmosphere was one you never forget, and not just memories, but the sensations he was experiencing. Flags and banners of all types that this decoration was normally a bus station in what is much room for doubt in my mind was a great display of pride of Italy and almost fanaticism to which not only our national sport, but for most countries. Â Â
The trip to Giant € ™ s Stadium in Las Vegas was one that was used to that time, having already done so twice but this time we will be playing for the right to be in the finals, held only once every four years. All of which it is easy to see why this would be a day for me to stay with me forever, especially as another factor. In the history of the World Cup, despite all the nations who play football as a mainstream sport, numbering over 100, only ten countries had come to an end, with one of these countries, as in Czechoslovakia, or even be close to over.
How to reach a final was not easy, anyone that knew anything about football and can testify however, Italy were about to do, but then again so was Bulgaria, and all that is needed is a game undoubtedly the most outstanding player by the name would Stoickov and Sofia, which is held until the end. Naturally, at the expense of Italy and probably our biggest player of all time, Roberto Baggio, who while not as gifted as his majesty œDiego Maradonaâ € â €, was what I would say that 80 per cent% of the same as you did great only having so much of this legend that was beyond any in what could be called natural ability. Yes, Italy had the equipment to be there, but we won, but this was a game and anything can 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 is € ™ s Giant Stadium, which had no running track, made it possible for me to see things not as wrong and what I missed I could always watch later. This is due to the fact that the game was going to record on my video as DVD players had not been invented yet, and even fewer could write. I was in a way that I was part of the history of Italian football, which would be able to tell my children if you ever have I was there when Italy play Bulgaria in the â € œWorld Cup USA € 94a.
Once seated, I looked around and I felt like a sea of flags, and they were all red, white and green, although not all Italians as the flag of which would be our worthy opponents for the day were also of the same colors. That being the case, even if the strips Bulgarian flag were horizontal, unlike ours, which were vertical. Flags of all type are also available, from the fans, who came from Italy itself to those like me who represent different aspects of Italya € ™ s great community that had spread throughout the world.
The hymns rang and although I do not mark, which came first, my mind never shake the image of virtually the entire stadium stood up to the national anthem of Italy, â € Dâ € ™ italiae œFratelli € or â € œBrothers of Italya €. This be what we like not everyone who supported Italy were born in the old country but it did not matter to our roots were there, that's what he did and how the words of a claim of € œBrothers Italy, Italy has awakened €, which was precisely what happened. Voices, thousands of them shouted Mameli € ™ s words were put to music in honor of Italian patriotism, even claiming that â € œSiam pronti to Morteo € (we are ready to die), which of course would not be the case that day, regardless of weather or not Italy won, but the feeling was the same for this game is always crucial.
After the emotional expression of the hymn, the game began and as it did I realized that those around me, despite being in Shirts Italian, or Italian, or the descendants of them, but this also had little relevance to them also supported the same cause or so they claimed. In fact they were of the American White Anglo Saxon variety, that through the tournament had taken the Italian flag.
As for the game, Italy began to dominate Bulgaria strongly, of course, there was a danger in this, not just the threat of attacks against which Stoickovâ € ™ s speed and talent are more then able to make us pay for Italy, but uses a lot of energy, besides not being able to maintain this pace through out the whole game. Italy eventually tires, especially given the tremendous heat of the day and then it would be Bulgariaâ € ™ s turn to dominate. Italy, however he was playing sensational but what if no goals came as a result and were carried out in their efforts. Baggio and the company approached several times but Mihailov (Bulgariaâ € ™ s porter), held tightly like the rest of Bulgaria, or at least until Baggio out of one of the great works I've seen in a game that was witnessed in which take a ball past two defenders and from an angle, with a curling shot beat deviate Bulgariaâ € ™ s solid goalkeeper to get on the 1-0 lead. A great goal from a player of equal quality can be seen by those who have not already on youtube, as well as other highlights of this semifinal.
The cries of scoring were very strong and why it should have been another, as Italy was a head 20 minutes in the game? We Drink conceited, but it was something that could afford to be, then he had also been at the front against Argentina and the Netherlands in the World Cup earlier games that have led us to the final and yet both times failed. Italy continued its attack, a ball hit the post from Bulgaria who was so close again, but it was not long when five minutes after our first goal was the second to make the score 2-0. Roberto Baggio returned to find the mark, in a play he fought both the Bulgaria's offside and their goalkeeper once again put us in a more dominant position. It was the ecstasy of everything to Italya € ™ s supporters that he had taken a big step in what would be the way to the final and how they could feel, as we called our second objective, perhaps with pleasure, even more One the first Â
The game continued however and became the most over Italy lost its grip on the ground, both because of the fatigue, heat and especially Bulgaria, who had come so far in this World Cup than simply giving up. Not only had they won their first Cup match World had beaten two previous World Cup winners, so it was expected that they would not simply roll after only two goals, that is precisely what did not. Kostadinov, Leckov and especially Stoickov began increasingly dangerous because our defense was forced to tighten their belts for what would be a furry of attacks Bulgarians. This, after all was a game that you could only win or lose, is based not matter nor by how much is lost, like losing by two goals, was the same attack as doing so for a hundred, all of which leads to Bulgaria throw caution to the wind, in desperate everything to return there.
Bulgaria sent most people only forward, his increasingly bold game, and they imposed their presence in our midfield. There was so much pressure to achieve something that was what wine when Pagliuca was forced to address Sirakov, who had gone to three defenders in Italy and was about to score when our goalkeeper was fouled in the box. A shame it was and it should take, but Stoickov and punctuation. Bulgaria was still behind, but now only 2-1 and ever mounting confidence why would be inconceivable for a second and an equalizer would come his way? Italy was not doing well now, but That was half the fortune which ended two minutes later of Bulgariaâ € ™ s first goal, as were the control of the game and could have produced one of tying things.
The break saw Italya Tifossi € ™ s celebrate, but not too much as Bulgaria was able to score more then 45 minutes in still to come, not just one to match play, but that would send up to two on its way to the finals and Italy once again disappointing and almost useless party held at third.
The second half got underway, but the rest seemed to have a Bulgarian attack, as if time had passed and the game became more equal. Italy and Bulgaria, basically, play the second half both tired but this favored the leading Azzurri. The second half however, was not free of controversy when the ball hit Costacurtaâ € ™ s hand on the table, in a move that would have meant a second penalty from Bulgaria, had it not been for the referee that ruled accidental. This is that the ball hit the hand of the player in question when it was next to his body, unlike when done with the arms of the players He rose from his sides, which always gives a free kick or penalty, depending on where the infringement takes place regardless of weather conditions, was the intention or not.
Italy, however pursued a bullet and was still head and we, the œFratelli â € Dâ € ™ € italiae felt more and more in the final. Finally I moved to another level of looking at things and managed to be extremely close to the action during the past ten minutes. Italy, however, was not going to quit this game so easily and the problems began when the game was winding down. First came when he received his Costcurta second yellow card of the tournament, which means it would not be playing in the finals, but this was not as bad, because if something had defenders in Italy and good than enough.
Loosing Costacurta for the final was an acceptable loss, or Apolloni Mussi can easily take their place, but Roberto Baggio was a story different, it has basically been our star player who had won their last three games for us, scoring five goals in the process. This man would tremendous lack and what should happen as we expected the final whistle but Baggio injury. Baggio limped off the field and even under his own power, but with the assistance of trainers, in what should have been a severe concussion. We are concerned, although not so much to this game, but in the end but for now, hope the end of the game that came with the head of Italy 2-1.
It felt like the glory in that special moment for us Italya € ™ 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. The way we started the celebration at that time with hugs and kisses, as if all of us, had won the lottery in a way we had, while men and women alike were screaming Italy, Italy.
I for one never forgets to take a picture of two supporters of Bulgaria, they were brother and sister, and, indeed, of Bulgaria of America, and still proudly waved his flag after the loss. What could shame in the loss of his being in a competitive game, never in a semifinal especially for a team that had won a World Cup match before U.S. 94. I, of course, their congratulations by the country € ™ s not only a fine performance in that game but world cup, because it really gave a good account of themselves, despite the expectations of many who did not even pass the first round.
But Italy had won and complete as it could not get out of the way would be in the final. Italy had done, but there is an additional obstacle that would most likely be below Brazil, but to be later, for us Italya € ™ s fans were happy, despite having to do our best player takes the field. This almost at the end of the game, but we realized that not would be a big problem, as Baggio could be in the end, no matter what we had to inject him, for it is a fact that football is a matter of life or death, but even more important.
He was on the bus I made a comment that drew the attention of many and perhaps could have caused a small riot, if less civil people were there. My words œLoro € â € proximoâ sono (which are next) when I saw two gentlemen with the yellow jersey of Brazil, that Brazilians were actually saying he wanted no animosity toward us. As also explained by the mine, which my statement was not made in malice, but with the intention to point out that Brazil, already playing against Sweden would then be more likely to be our next and final U.S. rival 94.
Friendly was our conversation, that is, the mines, along with several other Italians with these two fans Brazilians, who also could see an Italy-Brazil final would be another classic. Naturally, we are inclined towards such an outcome had been in Spain 82 and France 38, while surely towards a more similar to what happened in Mexico 70, Argentina 78, however in this whole debate, no one loses sight of the enemy were not rivals, but in a contest that only a trophy and decided that the nation was no better, as none would be worse.
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and more than I am with those who are interested in reading maybe something new. I too am the author of the book entitled â € œ target = "_blank"> New York € ™ s â € Opera Society, which is now available at Amazon.
href = "http://www.amazon.com/Yorks-Opera-Society-Gianni-Truvianni/dp/0595500161/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226658466&sr=8-2"> http://www. amazon.com/Yorks-Opera-Society-Gianni-Truvianni/dp/0595500161/ref = sr_1_2? ie = UTF8 & s = books & qid = 1226658466 & sr = 8-2
About the Author
My name is Gianni Truvianni, I am an author who writes with the simple aim of sharing his ideas, thoughts and so much more of what I am with those who are interested in perhaps reading something new. I also am the author of the book entitled “New York’s Opera Society†which is now available on Amazon.
Fake Apple ipods Flooding USA Funny Video Product Review by Mike Mozart of jeepersmedia on You Tube
[phpzon]Player Usa, 35, Electronics[/phpzon]
