From the papers

July 3rd, 2000
Juventus Official Site

"How unlucky!", "Thanks lads" and "Pity, a great Italy" are the headlines that greeted Azzurri fans this morning in the Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport and the Gazzetta dello Sport following France's last-ditch win in Rotterdam.

What a fluke! is the general gist of the reports on the Euro 2000 Final. The Corriere dello Sport carries the comments of the player who more than anyone else could have closed the game for the Azzurri, Alessandro del Piero. "Del Piero Distraught: it's all my fault." The Italy and Juventus number 10 was clearly dejected, "I feel destroyed, you can guess why. I should have scored at least one goal to make it 2-0, but I missed both chances. I'll try and put it behind me, but it won't be easy. I'll need to deal with those memories so I can start the new season with peace of mind."

His team-mate Zinedine Zidane tried to console him as the French celebrated their win, but to little effect. "It was a gesture I appreciated, but to tell the truth I have all those missed chances going through my mind.”

There was, nevertheless, a Bianconero component to the win, Zidane. "Zidane triumphs without lustre," states Tuttosport. "He dreamt of a different match, but we're sure he won't be too unhappy. It was enough for him to win, although he would have liked to score. Italy proved to everyone they were a great side, but this time luck ran against them. Once again the French score at the death, and then David Trezeguet scored the goal - a golden one - which ended the Azzurri's hopes."
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