With England out of the World Cup, the focus in Malta will be on what Italy are going to come up with. Support for the azzurri is more or less equal to that of England in this tiny country, with the number of German fans also making up a good chunk. It will however not be a surprise tonight to see the number of German fans multiplying as the “English” join forces with the Germans for tonight’s semi-final against Italy.
Bars and restaurants are gearing up for tonight’s game, as many people are expected to turn up in front of big screens to be able to watch the game with their friends. Others prefer the silence of their homes, a silence that is broken with the occasional shout at the referee or for a goal.
Entrepreneurs contacted yesterday are optimistic that they will have large crowds tonight. “The English fans who normally stay at home to watch their favourite team’s game will be more inclined to go out tonight. So we are expecting bigger numbers,” one bar owner said.
“The atmosphere in this World Cup has been amazing. I have never seen so many people watching games in public places. It seems that more people are deciding that it’s better to watch games in the company of others than do so at home on their own.”
Another businessman, although a fan of Italy, said that he wanted England to qualify too. “A World Cup without England or Italy is not the same. The more these teams progress, the better business we have. I would have loved to see Italy and England meet in the final. It was possible this time round. I hope it happens in the future,” he said.
And, as the camps of Italian and German supporters on this soccer mad island prepare for tonight’s cliff hanger World Cup semi-final between two of the most famous countries in football, it would be pertinent to take a look at previous World Cup encounters between both teams that have been three in all since 1970.
The Italians have so far managed to win two matches, with the third ending in a draw. Undoubtedly, the most treasured match for the Italians must be their famous 3-1 triumph over Germany in the 1982 final held in Madrid where the azzurri lifted the World Cup for the third time in their history.
However, the see-saw, roller- coaster encounter of 1970 in Mexico can lay claim to be one of the most exciting games in the history of World Cup football. The famous images of Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer in a sling as he continued playing with a broken arm and the magnificent goals scored on either side are surely worthy of legend.
Perhaps the least attractive and most forgotten of the Italy-Germany meetings was the drab 0-0 draw in the 1978 final group stage which did not serve either team as Italy failed to qualify for the final in Argentina and Germany were eliminated.
Other factors also appear to be with Italy too. The azzurri have reached a final every 12 years since 1970 (1982, 1994) and if one had to apply the law of averages they are supposed to go on and lift the cup this time as they lost in 1970 and 1994 (incidentally both against Brazil although in ’94 they actually drew and lost the penalty shootout).
The only factor which seems to go against the Italians is the fact that Germany are playing at home in the infamous Dortmund “cauldron” where they have never lost an international match. However the Italians are hoping to take a leaf out of Argentina’s book in 1990 when the azzurri, hot-on favourites to take the title in their homeland, were stunned in a penalty shootout exit in the Napoli semi-final.
Whatever happens, there is going to be a “first time in history”. Will Germany lose their first game in Dortmund? Or will Italy be eliminated by Germany for the first time?
We’ll know tonight.