The Italians got knocked out of Euro 2004. They are now complaining of some kind of conspiracy against them.
"The way the game developed shows that the two teams were aiming for a draw" , stated Italian soccer federation president Franco Carraro, talking of the Sweden-Denmark game.
All sounds rather familiar. Remember this from World Cup 2002, when the Italians lost...?
'It was a scandal. The truth is he (the referee) had his mind set against us - this was a desired elimination,' said striker Francesco Totti, sent off in extra time in Korea's 2-1 win.
Or this?
'The referee was a disgrace, absolutely scandalous. I've never seen a game like it. It seemed as if they just sat around a table and decided to throw us out,' Franco Frattini, Italy's minister for public offices, said.
Last time the Italians were 'cheated' out of a major tournament, the Korean striker who scored the vital goal was fired by his Italian club. I wonder if the same will happen to Dane Tomasson?
Message to any Italians whining about the result - grow up and play the game like men. You got knocked out because you weren't good enough. End of story.
(world cup stories from espn)