An article about the World Cup Italia 90, Italy placed close to the final only to be denied by Argentina, Maradona, from pages and sanctions.

It was the end of the spring of 1990 and I found myself living in Warsaw, Poland, where I is the time to a Polish course at the University of Warsaw, where I was to meet just happened to Danilo Facchin of Pordenone, Italy. Danilo and I was going to become friends and it would be Daniel, who introduced me to Catallini, director of the Italian Cultural Centre in Warsaw at the time. This is the place that during the World Cup open to all his or descendants of Italians who would;. Like me to come and see Italy’s games on a large 56 “screen, thanks to the most generous invitation Catallini’s

This also a time was in my life, my passion for photography at the highest was because I really have to take on a role of film a day and develop my talent with my first photo that was published in the same year. As with the other factors that my life time together, after I studied Polish for the past 6 months, with all honesty that I speak fluently the language had a claim. That is because I could talk to me thought, without thinking much of the words and could only understand all I, unless they extend into excessively is complicated topics

However at this time in my life;. photography was my greatest passion to the point that it aside almost all my love of football, to the extent that I just forgot about that the World Cup came. I had had to be even reminded of Danilo, the champions came League final, and I now in retrospect I think I would have missed it, it was not for my friend, me what day it would be played has been told. This meaning for me anymore, because AC Milan had reached the final this year and would play against Benfica of Portugal to make to the end against 1-0.

As for me time, aside from a dedicated photographer I had turned recently 23 and had hair that went down to my shoulders, or at least at the beginning of her because I did not cut as in the previous year. To be more specific the last time I had hair cut was the day I entered the “U.S. Navy”, just two months after discharge, secure in the knowledge that recruitment had been my greatest stupidity (though not my only one) and that Marine was “never again themselves voluntarily. “It was a place called Great Lakes (aka big mistake), Illinois, that I was by the U.S. Navy deployed to discover this fact of life.

Regarding my romantic life at the time, I must had no claim to have the special interests there would be many ladies that I was to stay in contact with and as a remarkable coincidence. It was during one of them pay a visit, I found that had begun for the World Cup. I was in the home of one of these friends of mine at the time when she on the TV is on and much to my interest in her was a football game on. It was Argentina vs. Cameroon, think at first I did not, there has been a game from the World Cup, but a friendly, until I, who is playing and realized that this is the first game of the tournament was noticed. Of course I had been aware that the World Cup due to begin, but I had an overview of the exact date on which they do so would be lost.

As for the game itself, I would catch it when it was near the end with Cameron to my surprise, already at the top of 1-0, achieved thanks to goal from Oman in the 67-Biyik . minute of the game. A goal I would in the post-game highlights, like this man then leaped over a meter from the ground to get this ball was. When I play the game near the end caught in the 80 minute mark all I got to see was Argentina’s desperate struggle for the equalizer, which was never received. I must admit, glad been lost Argentina, as I hoped Italy would not have them in the World Cup face and was even hopeful it before the stage where they would play in Italy would get eliminated. Maradona, all in all, still young at 29 and a man respected and feared, as he remained in great shape. Since this is exactly what he proved that to refrain from the year of Napoli to their second “Serie A” title in three years, even if he did not repeat as top scorer for what would be the third time in his career.

All were it took that first game, even if I get not to see everything come to me in the mood to see the rest of the World Cup, as I like in the last three world championships, that I had was to draw once again seen for Italy to win and this time I was expecting Italy are crowned champion for the 4th time. Italy after all, were playing at home and were always a favorite at every tournament to win, so why should they not win one at home. But I did not know that many of the players on national team of Italy to the except for Donadoni and the rest of their AC Milan players like Baresi and Maldini, I was not even sure if they were in the national team.

It was on the evening of the opening game that I got a call from Danielle, asked me if I cared to look at Italy’s first game against Austria at the offices of the Italian Cultural Institute in Warsaw. It is a place with all the amenities, I have already with the fact mentioned that many members of the Italian community in Warsaw would present however invitation given the limited space only for the Italians or those of the same species may be limited by blood. This meaning I could see the games there, but I would have to speak Italian, my ancestors do not prove connection with Italy, not that my last name would be the Truvianni Same did.

I without thinking the matter agreed doubly welcome Danilo range and make him the next day, half an hour before the start of the game in a coffee shop near my home “Studio M” at the time something like could be celebrated, the place was to be. All those who could benefit or compounds, and tourists are seen, for this place with his paintings had Scotch Whisky (one of the few places in Warsaw, was that at the time), was attractive well dressed men and women like a magnet for almost anyone who could afford such a place. In terms of attractive ladies, it was the owner of this site, Ursula, whom I had a special relationship, as we had come to each other well continue to know and would, so better to do.

Danilo and I met in the “Studio M” before the game, and I introduced him to this place and all the ones I knew to do something at a great impression on him when he would regularly appeared. Danilo and I did not have a lot to enjoy in the way of time that day to Studio M, because we only had half an hour at the Italian Cultural Centre (ICC) for the first game of Italy against Austria get. As for the International Criminal Court, although it is not far from Studio M did require 10 minutes on foot, leaving us 15 minutes, as we do there have got on time not only a good place, but us to free our fellow imagine made Italians and hear “Fratelli d’Italia” (Italian national anthem).

When we got to the place with not much time before to save the game, I did not find it as crowded as I expected it had to be perhaps only 10 or 12 to the present. Warsaw Italian community is not as big hellos these days as it is currently. Quick before the start was the game, which Italy would be in Rome’s Olympic Stadium to play and the game it started something magical in it replaced. I have the feeling that suddenly want to Italy to win had not I, when Italy played in the European Cup, two years held before in Germany. Italy did not qualify, that means I’m not for games as a warm-up and “International Friendship Games” served do not see what I every saw of Italy are simply not the same one in what I receive the right frame call spirit for a world championship.

This the other one was a World Cup game and I looked after four years My beloved “Squadra Azzurri” against Austria, to be a team Italy 1-0 in Argentina by a goal 16 minutes from Rossi had struck. Rossi was playing but not more and that was a new day, but the same hope for me was by participating in this place again fueled by his Italian compatriot “tiffosi”, the constant cheering give a real taste of a world championship to this otherwise simple room surrounded which served as a private theater for the members of this organization.

Naturally with Italian fans around me , it was not for me, in the spirit of jubilation and Italy after a first half of so many near misses getting long in the Italy should have been at least two goal lead at half time came with a score of 0-0. Half time was used to discuss what we all felt Italy should agree with most of that in Italy forward Carnavali was this, who should be replaced after wasting so many ways. I added for my part, to the conversation that Austria goalkeeper one who should be a lot of credit much like his predecessor Frederick Concilia of World Cups past.

I was in what is told to be as a bizarre twist of fate, all that my mother from Peru, instead of the truth that she was from Argentina. The reason that I felt, for some strange reason, Argentina and Italy would meet did not want my fellow Italians feel that my loyalty is not as it should be given them. Of course, after the game and an Italian victory, I could tell them the truth, but until then it would not matter because they would for whom I have seen for pulling in a game between Italy and Argentina.

The second half came and the more untapped scoring chances, or at least did until Carnavali was replaced by Schillaci. This substitution come with a roar of approval from not only those present at the stadium, but in the ICC. It is indeed not Schillaci (which I do not know about that night to), from Sicily, long the bolt lock break as he did so with his first touch. Schillaci goal came 78 minutes, the game, sending all Italian football fans, I come into a frenzy of relief with a huge reputation, “target”. Schillaci goal on a header despite his being short. But for us the fans everything was that Italy had taken and was 1-0 count. The first gate has told us, the fans of Italy in the spirit of the World Cup, playing at home and on our first game and win except that we had a team go all the way with players able to do could.

The game ended 1-0 in Italy’s favor and at that moment we felt sure that we all win or at least the second round to go, as it would be practically been a national disgrace, if Italy were the first to be hosting nation not to make the first round at a World Cup. Especially one that it is possible for 16 teams from 24 to in made the second round to go. It was incredible, although, like us, who had been strangers at the beginning of the game close and even friends. In a way, all connected by more than a game, but a common desire, the same Nation win, not just this game, but the tournament as they had done eight years ago in Spain. This was the magic of Italian football and then it came back to me and I could see it in those around me, and I was sure it had to stay up, or at least Italy won the World cup.

In the following week, I naturally as a football (calcio in Italian) fan watching the other games, even though Italy has the greatest meaning for me. Germany has an impressive start seemed like tanks, as they cut up Yugoslavia, 4-1, while Uruguay was 0-0 against Spain, despite a penalty called in their favor, they missed the obvious and controlling much of the game. Danilo and I was also better friends in this time will often Studio M or in other places, as we talked about other things then football. Danilo tells me that he had semi-pro basketball is not surprising he did as a security guard with his height of 6’2 “is played. I then very little else apart from photography, although I say vaguely Danilo, that I may one day be a writer, I was thinking of a story, I could put on paper some or USB stick that I have not to do.

After Austria, it was the United States and even though I was born in New York, I was rooting for Italy all the way, if the United States against. Again, as in the first game we are all watching together in the ICC Italy defeat of the United States 1-0 and secure by not making history for the wrong reason, not be the first host in the past the first round. The game against the USA was more severe than originally thought although we have thanks to a beautiful goal from Giannini to win. This in an otherwise boring game that only held a few highlights apart from the target and Italy is missing their third penalty in as many World Cups. The U.S., for all its qualities on defense was once close to scoring but fortunately Ferri was standing on the line to prevent what would have been the binding target. won

Italy but despite the boring tifossi, their second game and even had his place in the second round, since there is no way that it’s not about the next round to go with four points, at least the second place team. The question was, could they win their group and qualify for the next round as the first place team? This is, of course, they could do, but they would have to Czechoslovakia, which also had their first two games but won with a better goal difference, 6-1, while Italy lost 2-0.

By the third game, those of us who made it a point to go to see the ICC play to Italy was a kind of family, your interest in each other’s lives and what we do in Poland. I, as the one who called her photographer in the face of my great-Minolta camera that accompanied me everywhere. What our confidence had taken a slight turn, the shortage in direction had against the United States, which lost 5-1 to Czechoslovakia but we still thought we could go all the way to the end and beyond. We set aside pessimism had four points in two games and had not conceded but we had to win against Czechoslovakia, then nothing more for our morale.

Italy came in this match to a good start as Schillaci game as a starter for the first time we put in front of 8-minute mark. His goal was shouted by all, as he really brought us back to the level we wanted to see especially from Italy, after the shame of drawing near to the United States at home. Schillaci had it all Carnevali, which do not meet expectations, and thanks to him we would now qualify for the next round in first place, that is if we stay on top of the score had survived.

Czechoslovakia in what the rest of the first half scored a goal, the steam from their own feelings at first, but luckily it was not allowed to be wrong, I might add for a non-existent offside. Actually, I’ll never forget, like the Italian announcer felt the goal would have allowed, like all of us, but unfortunately for Czechoslovakia, it was not to be. The second half saw the man who would become one of my all time favorite player, Roberto Baggio, especially during U.S. were 94 guests of one of the best goals of the tournament after 78 minutes are over, which brought more or less the first place for Italy.

Italy had qualified in the next round, before winning his first three games and not as a goal. That was something to celebrate and we did by going to a restaurant after the game. I was going pretty good in a time of life as well, had my photo with a lot of my work published just to get started and I’ve even noticed, I enjoyed Warsaw during the summer. The nice ladies in their dresses of the season and the World Cup was going well. I remember even talking to a fellow student of mine from Brazil by the University in the days that followed our victory over Czechoslovakia, and he told me how Brazil has not played as good as he wants, while Italy did wonderful.

Regarding the first round, many things of interest happened, for example the Netherlands and Ireland in a tie in second place on goal difference and ended with the exact head to head to their meeting in a 1-1 draw, which would be today was to end a problem, but then was not given, was that third place to qualify. In this case, the Netherlands, where the third place and was to play for Germany, while in Ireland against Romania. Uruguay was had by the skin of their teeth with a last minute goal against South Korea, which give them a 1-0 victory even though some felt the game by the referee ended previously qualified. Actually, it would not for this almost last second goal then Uruguay would certainly not be qualified, as they are two points, like Austria and Scotland, but would have to have missed out, because these two countries had a better goal difference of 2-3 were during Uruguay would have been at 1-3. Germany had looked good, but against Colombia, who was also a lost minute goal was down a level or two, perhaps because they were already qualified, but Colombia still did them to play well in a 1-1 draw.

To I could but no one brought that mattered, as I felt along with the rest of the “tifossi” we go all the way and win the last game and that was only confirmed by which we even started feeling like champions. As for me, I’m one of the scariest moments of my life when one day before our game against Uruguay, I woke up, what was undoubtedly the biggest pain in my life. I was urinating blood the night before, but they have not paid much attention to the time, but next morning the pain like a knife in me, call me for an ambulance was requested. I must say I had no idea what it was fear, I had something wrong with my appendix either, or perhaps even worse than the pain was unbearable. I had never thought about death, but at that moment I felt close to it. It turned out, but in a simple kidney stone, the doctor explained to me in English was so painful for a man to be, as it provide for a woman, a child. It was in some ways it strange because my sister in Rome, their children had not had a normal birth lord the pain experienced, but had she been one of kidney stones, which they got in Ecuador. The doctor also told me there was really nothing, but would prefer to me in the hospital one night for observation, which is exactly what happened except for me always to keep a bill for 100 hundred dollars on the following morning.

In hospital I saw Germany against the Netherlands by a TV set, a patient was in another room. This is a game that ended in a 2-1 victory for Germany in a game that was especially for the way Rijkaard (Netherlands) and Voller (Germany) are both sent off stored. The first of these two players will be shown the red card for spitting at Rudi Voller significantly for no apparent reason, while it was never clear why Voeller received his marching orders.

By the time of the night game was on that day I had the idea that I would spend the night in the hospital and got comfortable next to the TV for the South American classic that is sure to Brazil vs Argentina in Turin adopted was I later find out my daughter’s future, Pate, I do not even know at the time attended. Brazil was attacked while Maradona was kept under extremely tight marking, although this was mainly supported by malicious fouls only when he goes off on something for his team.

Brazil came close on many occasions, but as they say, that only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades that had not and as time passed 0-0 still the score until the fear Maradona again presented him with all another piece that is like his famous goal of four years earlier to live forever. Maradona got the ball in midfield and went four players, almost one after the other and then with the last of these he moved to his jersey he managed to get the perfect fit with the right foot on Caniggia, Argentina placed before the 1 -0 and in the next round.

The next day I got out of the hospital, to be relieved ok and goes back to the place where we all had a voice behind Italy and to celebrate that I will not die or at least not then. It was in Studio M that I had a shot of Johnnie Walker Red in all honesty though I would have preferred Glenfidich and would have ordered when they had finished, but sometimes you have to make do.

Danilo and I met at Studio M had come to our clients before the games, and I told him very near to his shock, as I had spent the night in the hospital, but was just in time for the game . get Uruguay has always been difficult, as is their style of play Italy for a physical. The last time Italy and Uruguay played in a World Championships 20 years earlier had been in 1970. This in a game that not only failed to produce a goal in a 0-0 draw, but also makes each moment of interest in a game that one of the most boring ever seen at a World Cup or anywhere else for that matter was.

Once the ICC us arrive almost too late, we took our seats for what a close first half, that would end 0-0. it was already clear that this World Cup one that would not see any major victories would be limited as most games on dozens of 1-0 or 2-1, was so was the case with most games as a game between Argentina and Brazil had produced only one goal. Tense but we were as we waited for the second half with tells me everything about my plight of the previous day, which provided some relief for those who come to me, that I know, had apparently come through it ok to be related. The second half started again, it would bring Schillaci at 65-minute mark with a great shot from outside the box joy and cries Its charter again. Another goal would be for Italy on that day as Serena also succeeded on the scoreboard to twenty minutes to get his passport Schillaci and enter Italy in the quarterfinals.

The quarter-finals came and so did Ireland, a team with a tenacious defense, which we knew would upset us, as she has four years later in United States 94, but that was for another time. Also in the previous game it was Schillaci, needed only 38 minutes to bring us the top spot for good when he hit the back of the net like. Italy would go on to win, which came close to 1-0 but Schillaci to another score from a free kick only for his shot bounced off the post and the line in an effort that would have been a big goal when it’s gone Ireland in. But you have to say on the left with their dignity as they only lost by one goal against Italy, all in all, had the home advantage.

The semifinals came and who should be different from Argentina and Maradona wait for Italy. I remembered just in Argentina by beating Yugoslavia in the hope that Argentina would loose and how close they came to be overcome. Yugoslavia dominated most of the game, despite one of its players sent to the early and even 0-0 would be how it would end, after regulation and overtime. Maradona played that day, perhaps one of the least inspired games I’ve ever seen of him and how it looked as if Argentina were out after he and Troglio missed their penalty, life came from their goalkeeper. Goycochea saved three penalties during the shoot out that put Argentina in the semifinal against Italy.

I remember Italy never to Argentina in the World Cup, but to some extent Italy, they never really had either, in a sense that they had removed it lost beaten. For example, their first game against each other in a World Cup was in 74 in the first round. This is a game that benefited a draw, the more of Argentina as they do not qualify and Italy together with Poland ended the next round. So in a sense, by Argentina, Italy, a draw was really excellent. The next game between Italy and Argentina came to Argentina 78, Italy’s 1-0 victory, but little did it for both teams qualified to the next round. Argentina actually winning the World Cup this year, while Italy came in fourth. The next game was repeated in Spain 82 and Italy as a winner, but then again Argentina was eliminated just the same. This is because Argentina lost their next game to Brazil and Italy could even gone to the semifinals, even if they had drawn against Argentina, as she went on to defeat Brazil. The next World Cup came to Mexico was 86 and again Italy to Argentina in the first round face and did so in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw, which was of little importance, as both teams went through the same. Well, it would be Italy against Argentina in Italia 90 for what its fifth meeting in as many World Cups in a row. This I am sure, is make a record for the amount of time the two teams meet in consecutive World Championships. But the record for the two teams faced each other most of the time in World Cup history, it is surprisingly held by Brazil and Sweden. This is due to the fact that they face each other six times, with Sweden not even able to win.

I as always wanted Italy to win but still afraid to tell people around me that my mother from Argentina, was upset when she would perhaps especially, if it should happen, that Argentina would go on and win the final. I decided to finish and won by Italy to wait for the cat out of the bag.He had to lead them, who had never won a World Championship Cup victory with two national titles. Maradona was practically a god in Naples at the time (and is), but on this occasion it against Italy, which made it difficult to know for many a fan, where his loyalties would be to put in the game to play. I fear for my part would happen, but I did not know why. Italy had a goal in World Cup-yield, while Argentina struggled to get the semi-finals, only four goals on the way, while Italy, usually not as much impetus was shot seven times known. Argentina had even more to Cameron I was concerned, although I did not mention to those who had become my friends lost in the ICC.

The game began with tensions at an extremely high pitch but everything explodes when somebody again found to be different from the back of the Argentine network Schillaci Italy a 1-0 lead after only 17 minutes of the first half. Italy won the first half would end with us all the feeling in the final.