Hamburg, July 3: Italy already has some inspiration to beat Germany in the World Cup semi-finals.
An article posted on the web site of German weekly Der Spiegel earlier this week defined Italians as "parasites, mamma`s boys and slimy," causing outrage in Italy`s World Cup camp.
Der Spiegel pulled the story as soon it got wind of the controversy it created. The magazine also issued an apology but the damage was done and it`s sure to be discussed again ahead of Tuesday’s world cup semi-finals.
"As an Italian and captain of the National team I feel offended," defender Fabio Cannavaro said. "These stereotypes applied to us come from an old culture that has been overly abused. It shocks me that this can happen in a civilised country like Germany."
Italy had advanced to the semi-finals after a 3-0 win over Ukraine. Germany beat Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw earlier in the day. The semi-final match will be on Tuesday in Dortmund.
Italy set up its World Cup camp in industrial Duisburg, an area filled with Italian immigrants, with the idea that the team would be inspired by the success stories of its countrymen abroad.
Italy can also look back to its 4-1 rout of Germany in March in a friendly match. Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero each scored before Robert Huth notched Germany`s lone goal in the 82nd minute in
Florence.
Bureau Report
