The Fodera family, friends and relatives The Fodera family, friends and relatives celebrated Independence Day with Italian flare.

On Tuesday July 4, the Azzurri's of Italy played against the German national team in Dortmund, Germany.

In Garden City the Fodera family invited friends and relatives to the semi-final game and celebrated our country's Independence Day. Typical barbeque with sausage and peppers, hot dogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob were all on the menu. The Italian and American flags were waving with heritage and pride evident at the Sackville home. The Italians and the Germans have both won the World Cup three times each. The Azzurri's came out strong and kept pressure on the German back line. Marco Lippi, the coach of the Azzurri versus California Klingsman, the German coach and motivator. The Italians dominated the time of possession 58% to 42% in the first half.

After forty-five minutes of play the game was scoreless but the pitch was filled with futbol superstars from both sides. The Azzurri started with a 4-5-1 formation with Luca Toni as the lone striker. The fullbacks were anchored by Captain Fabio Carnavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi and Fabio Grosso. Gianluigi Buffon, the goaltender has only conceded one goal throughout the tourney. The midfielders were Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo, Simone Perrota, Mauro Camoranesi and the defensive middie was Genaro Gattuso.

In the second half the Germans tightened up the coverage and shutdown the Italians. Although the Azzurri banged one shot off the post and another off the crossbar regular time expired 0-0. The game went into over time and Lippi substituted Gilardino for Toni and Iaquinta for Carnevoresi. The game still scoreless using his last sub Del Piero enters for Perrota. After two fifteen minute overtimes the game would go to exciting penalty kick. The Germans have never lost in penalty kick and the Italians have never won on penalty kicks. Down to the last five minutes of overtime. Pirlo dribbles at the eighteen yard line and slides the ball to Grosso who chips the ball over the reach of the keeper to take the lead 1-0. The celebration continued and the Azzurri's confidence exploded. In the 119th minute again the Italian magic Gilardino leads Del Piero who beats the goaltender for a 2-0 final. The Azzurri's started the tournament in Group H (nicknamed the group of death).

On June 17th Italy competed against the United States to a 1-1 tie. This World Cup included the most yellow and red cards awarded. The United States played a man down due to some questionable calls by the referee. The U.S. national team exited the World Cup early with not enough offensive punch to get to the next round. Italy defeated Australia 1-0 in the quarter finals. My daughters Rosie, Tina & Deanna cheered the Azzurri's to victory. World Cup final July 9, 2006 the Italians play against France and Zinedine Zidane. Forza Italia.