What a difference 4 years make! I’m still in a state of shock that my beloved Azzurri did not make it out of the first round of the World Cup. That has not happened since 1974! We won the 2006 World Cup and we are the defending champions! How could this happen? Well, doesn’t matter what excuses or reasons are given, it happened and Italy is out of the World Cup 2010.

While I am heartbroken over this result and surprised they didn’t make it out of the first round, I can’t say that I am totally surprised either. I did have concerns after Italy barely tied New Zealand in their second game! That was the omen of things to come. Tying Paraguay in game one wasn’t that bad a result as they were a much stronger opponent than the Kiwis! Still, we looked weak in both games scoring 2 lucky goals that were gifts (goalie mistake and questionable penalty kick).

Losing so badly to Slovakia 3-2 is the lowest of lows for Italian soccer fans. Italy was ranked 5th in the world by FIFA and Slovakia was 34th and this was the first time they ever made the World Cup! We looked totally clueless out there with no talent or skills. Most disturbing of all, we looked like a team without heart or soul and no passion! Those are cardinal sins for any Italian never mind our Azzurri! Where was the fight? Sure, they should some spirit in the final 10 minutes scoring 2 goals but it was all too late.

I think the two images of our captain Cannavarro that I combined above says it all. From the ecstasy of 2006 to the agony of 2010… It took 24 long painful years for Italy to win another World Cup championship after their glorious reign in Spain in 1982. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long to win another one.

In the mean time, I will watch this over and over again until I wash away this nightmare of 2010.

Oh and this too.. from 1982 finals

Here’s the classic Italy-Brazil match that many consider the best ever (Italy winning 3-2!)