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After becoming the world champion, the head coach of the Italian national team, Marcello Lippi, stated after the victorious final match that it is the most beautiful episode in his entire life.
"I must thank all my players," said Lippi. "This is the most exciting moment in my coaching career."
"I would like to dedicate this victory to my family. All the team players in every match gave their all, not only their strength but also their heart, so they truly deserved this victory," he added.
"Winning the World Cup is every coach's dream. I have been lucky because during my career I have won both the UEFA Champions League and not just one Serie A title. However, no victory can compare to what I am feeling now, as my team has become the strongest in the world," Lippi continued.
After the victory, the team captain Fabio Cannavaro, who played his 100th match for Italy in this tournament, did not hide his joy, stating that Italy achieved what no one expected from them in these championships.
"Germany won the championship held in Italy. Now we have done it in Germany," said Cannavaro. "No one expected us to go so far before the start of the tournament, but we persevered and we are extremely happy."
"It is an indescribable feeling that cannot be put into words," added defender Fabio Grosso, who scored the decisive penalty kick. "Many probably still cannot believe what we have achieved, but it is true, we really did it."
Meanwhile, Italy's midfielder Gennaro Gattuso stated that one of the biggest football scandals in the history of the sport in Italy helped the team to focus and win the tournament.
"If the scandal hadn't shaken our country, I am almost certain that we would not have been able to triumph in these championships," said Gattuso. "It helped us to focus and give our all in every match."
