Italy In Shock Over World Cup Elimination

Italy was in shock and anger on Friday after Slovakia’s stunning victory on Thursday eliminated the defending champions from the World Cup in South Africa.

Italy lost to Slovakia 3-2 at Ellis Park, leaving the team in last place in Group F and extending its winless streak to six matches.

In Rome, all Italian daily newspapers on Friday showed the same photograph of Captain Fabio Cannavaro trying to comfort Fabio Quagliarella who broke into tears after the match.

The defending champions came into the World Cup with an aging team and little chance of another title, but few expected the team to exit after only three group matches.

The newspapers showed no mercy for the Italian team with headlines reading “Out the worst Italian team ever” and “Let’s change team”.

They did not spare Italy coach Marcello Lippi either.  Lippi and just about every player in the aging squad said they would accept responsibility for their performances.  Italian fans were left disappointed but some were more realistic about the team’s chances and felt they got what they deserved.

The world champions failed to win a single match during their disastrous campaign, having previously drawn with Paraguay and New Zealand.  It was only the third time Italy had exited at group stage.  The Azzurri finished last in their group, for the first time in Italy’s World Cup history.