GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Italian President Giorgio Napolitano greets the Italian national team ahead of their World Cup final game in Berlin against France

Record ID: 335485

  • Title: GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Italian President Giorgio Napolitano greets the Italian national team ahead of their World Cup final game in Berlin against France
  • Date: 11th July 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE)(Italian) ITALY PRESIDENT GIORGIO NAPOLITANO, SAYING "It is the victory of soccer, as it should be. We all know quite well there are the dark sides which are being looked after by others. I am here to look after, so to speak, this very important and difficult test on the soccer field." CLOSE OF CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE)(Italian) ITALY PRESIDENT NAPOLITANO SP
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADXGHHXRHUDTK1Q28LX5B43BDY
  • Story Text: The Italian President Giorgio Napolitano greeted the Italian national team ahead of their World Cup final game in Berlin on Sunday (July 9, 2006).
    A custom made football shirt sporting the name "Napoiltano" in golden letters was given to the president by Italy captain Fabio Cannvaro.
    "It is the victory of soccer, as it should be. We all know quite well there are the dark sides which are being looked after by others. I am here to look after, so to speak, this very important and difficult test on the soccer field," said Napolitano after receiving the gift.
    Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi will not be in Berlin to watch Italy play France in the World Cup final because tradition dictates that the president attends such events alone.
    Prodi told Italian reporters that he was sorry for this though, it was he, rather than 81 year-old President Giorgio Napolitano, who attended Italy's 2-0 semi-final win over hosts Germany in Dortmund which was secured with two late goals in extra time.
    To Italians former President Sandro Pertini's celebrations after their last World Cup triumph in Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium 24 years ago are almost as famous as Marco Tardelli racing down the pitch screaming after scoring in the final.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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