Wednesday 12th July, 2006 11 French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, right, German midfielder David Odonkor (L) and forward Lukas Podolski celebrate with the fans at the so-called Fan Mile at Brandenburg stands with teammate Franck Ribery, left, Gate in Berlin, July 9, 2006. Germany took a third rank in the World Cup, beating Portugal 3-1 in Stuttgart on Saturday. (REUTERS) and French team coach Raymond Domenech as they arrive for a lunch with French President Jacques Chirac at the Germany’s national soccer Elysee Palace, Monday July 10, 2006 in team head coach Juergen Paris. For many French citizens, the hard- Klinsmann celebrates with fans est part of France’s World Cup final loss to at the ‘Fan Mile’ in Berlin on Italy wasn’t the defeat itself but the Sunday July 9, 2006.Germany moment when national hero Zinedine beat Portugal 3-1 in the third Zidane ended his career with a brutal act of place match of the soccer fury. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) World Cup on Saturday. Shirt reads:’Thank you Germany.’ (AP Italy conquer world Photo/Marcus ootball’s most prized Brandt/pool) Trophy may be in Italian Fhands but Marcello Lippi’s Azzurri were not the only ones celebrating after a FIFA World Cup where both the players and their German hosts gave football lovers so much to smile about. From Germany’s victory over Costa Rica in the opening match as Germany wins in Munich on 9 June to Italy’s triumph over France in the final in Berlin exactly one month later, events in Germany kept an estimated worldwide audience of more than 30 billion people cap- tivated. All looked on as a cast list incorporating 32 teams from Angola to the USA conspired to excite and enthral during a 64- friends match, 147-goal marathon attend- ed by 3,359,439 people in the 12 final had been predicted by few eating their words after his host country also displayed less familiar names; tiny The knockout stages brought stadiums – and millions more in but Zinedine Zidane rolled back young side took third place on unstinting generosity towards Trinidad and Tobago holding fewer goals – ensuring the lowest Fan Fests across Germany. the years to help Les Bleus see the back of an attractive brand its many visitors. Thanking his Sweden to a goalless draw on goals average since 1990 – and At the end of it all, Italy fin- off Spain and Brazil en route to of high-tempo, attacking foot- countrymen in Berlin on 9 July, their finals debut; Ecuador beat- few real surprises, save possibly ished on top, thanks to a real the final. His efforts earned him ball. Germany finished the tour- Klinsmann delivered the epitaph ing Poland and Costa Rica to for Ukraine’s progress to the team effort. Twenty-one of the adidas Golden Ball but nament as top scorers with 14 “You’re unbelievable” – words reach the second round for the quarter-finals on their debut Lippi’s 23-man squad played and although he found the net goals – five of them from adidas that sum up the tournament’s first time; and the spirited appearance. ten of them found the net at against Italy – eight years after Golden Shoe winner Miroslav 15,000 volunteers, whose levels of Australians fighting back to beat Arguably the brightest new- these finals. With a defence built scoring twice in the 1998 final – Klose and three from Lukas organisation and enthusiasm Japan with three goals in the around goalkeeper Gianluigi there was no happy ending as Podolski, the Gillette Best Young have been remarkable. last ten minutes on their way to comers came from Africa. Côte Buffon and captain Fabio his farewell appearance ended Player. As the festival ran on the the last 16. d’Ivoire gave Argentina and the Cannavaro, Italy defended as with a red card. While Zidane is streets of Germany, in the stadi- The youngsters of Spain and Netherlands real scares despite well as any side in FIFA World now part of France’s past, Frank Germany ‘unbelievable’ ums there was much to savour. Switzerland (who went home losing to both, Angola earned Cup history, conceding just two Ribery’s performances in More than anything, Before losing to the hosts in the without conceding a goal) draws with Mexico and Iran, and goals – one an own goal, the Germany hinted at a bright Klinsmann’s last eight, Argentina provided showed much promise prior to an attack-minded Ghana team other a penalty. future. Nationalmannschaft captured some sparkling football and second-round exits. There were driven by Stephen Appiah and There was much else to Portugal can also feel pleased the spirit of Germany 2006. The scored the best ‘team’ goal of notable disappointments too. Michael Essien beat the Czech admire, from the silk-and-steel with themselves after reaching old stereotype of dour German these finals in their 6-0 humbling Brazil’s star forwards will feel Republic and USA before going midfield combination of Andrea the last four for the first time efficiency was dismantled by of Serbia and Montenegro, they underachieved, despite down to Brazil in the Round of Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, to since 1966. With Cristiano Michael Ballack and Co on the where a 24-man passing move reaching the last eight and 16. the swashbuckling raids of full- Ronaldo flying down the flanks pitch, revelling in the unaccus- culminated in Esteban Ronaldo breaking Gerd Muller’s They will be stronger for their backs Gianluca Zambrotta and and Ricardo Carvalho and tomed role of underdogs. Off the Cambiasso sweeping the ball record for FIFA World Cup goals. experiences here as will the Fabio Grosso. It was the Grosso’s Maniche maintaining a strong pitch, the German public took home. And possibly the best indi- England’s fans brought more entire African challenge on goal that swung a superb semi- spine, their coach Luiz Felipe the motto ‘A time to make vidual goal too, in Maxi colour than their team. Portugal final against Germany the Scolari fell just short of reaching friends’ and made it into some- Rodriguez’s stunning volley that and the Netherlands saw too home ground four years from Italians’ way and his penalty a second successive final, follow- thing truly meaningful. beat a formidable Mexican team much of the colour red in an ill- now. Football’s greatest show that sealed victory in the final. ing his 2002 triumph with Brazil. Besides a passion for football in the Round of 16. tempered second-round match. moves to South Africa in 2010; a Another coach with cause for underlined by the millions who Asia’s teams failed to build on new continent, but no doubt the Farewell to Zidane pride is Germany’s Jurgen gathered on Berlin’s Fan Mile to Underdogs leave their mark their breakthrough displays in same old magic. The presence of France in the Klinsmann. His critics were left watch Germany’s matches, the Other highlights came from 2002 as all went home early. (FIFAworldcup.com) Under-15 Division I Inter School Cricket Relay St. Peter’s hammer carnival in massive 578/8 Badulla by Reemus Fernando four sixes. First innings win at by T. Rajah - Badulla Sports Opener Angelo In reply, Piliyandala Bambalapitiya Correspondent Emmanuel struck a mas- Central were bundled out SCORES for 97 as Viran Perera and Ananda 109 all out 42.4 sive 221 in just 122 balls to After a lapse of nearly 15 propel St. Peter’s College Rishan Perera shared 7 overs (N. T. Rajapakse 24, years, a relay carnival has to a massive 578 for 8 wickets between them. O. D. M. S. Perera 32; declared – probably the Angelo Emmanuel 3/21) been organised by the highest total by an Under- SCORES St. Peter’ 257 for 6 in 56 Badulla District Athletic 15 team– as they recorded St. Peter’s 578 for 8 in overs (Angelo Emmanuel Association, which will be a first innings victory over 63 overs (Angelo 73, 4x8, 6x2, Dirk Muller 42, conducted on July 22, at the Piliyandala Central in Emmanuel 221, Dirk Rashen Sawarimuttu 103 Vincent Dias Stadium, their All Island Under-15 Muller 50, Andry Berenger n.o 4x12, 6x1; G. Wimala Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala, won the All Island Inter School Under-14 Badminton Team Championship (‘D’ Badulla. Division) 2006. The winning team - Back row; Helani Nirmala, Dilakshi Madhushani, Sonali Caldera (Captain), Samadhi Division I match played at 117, Nilochana Perera 74, Dharma 2/36) According to the Secretary Piliyandala last Friday. Silva, Nuwanthika Dias, Vishani Chathurangi and Gimhani Weerasekara. Seated; Saman Wijesinghe (Coach), Malani of the Badulla District Akshu Fernando 72; T. Abeysekara Dissanayake (Principal), M. Udeni Shanthi Latha (Teacher-in-Charge). While Emmanuel Fernando 2/93) Miss an outright at Athletics Association, struck a double hundred, Piliyandala Central 97 Kottawa Geetha Pathiranawasam, the SCORES Andry Berenger scored 117 all out in 93.3 overs relay carnival will be con- Dharmapala Kottawa and Nilochana Perera and (Buddhika Meebindu 36; ducted for boys and girls Akshu Fernando whacked 88 all out in 31 overs (R. P. R. M. S. B. Laksiri Ratnayake, Viran Perera 4/23, Rishan Under-16, Under-18 and a half century each. Welikannage 19, S. A. sports officer, Uva Provincial Perera 3/12) Under-20. Open events too Emmanuel smashed 28 Ruberu 19; R. M. N. T. Council has been appointed an boundaries and five huge The young Petes have Perera 4/15, Akshu international kabaddi referee by will be conducted for men sixes in his 221 which had a good season so far.