We were actually in Sarasota, Florida, on vacation. The only way I would leave the house is if the restaurant had a huge screen to show every second of the game, so we would up in an Argentinian one with an absolutely enormous screen. Argentines often back Italy if Argentina is out, plus there had been some controversy about a bad call against an Argentine player by a German referee.
To top it all off, there was a big German group sitting at the bar being very loud and obnoxious about how wonderful a team they were, how they were mopping the floor with the Italians, it was all in the bag, etc. Half in English and half in German, so just about everybody could hear. I was ready to blow a gasket.
Plus, the German papers had been full of things like we'll send the "pasta and pizza" eaters home right away.
Let me tell you: in those last fifteen minutes or so the place went absolutely wild. The chefs and waiters (all Argentinians) went wild, all the guests included, all "Americans", mind you, then we heard screaming from the street as people from other restaurants all streamed outside and started a Congo line. The Germans stormed off in a huff, but the rest of us partied for about two hours.
No other game will ever match that for me, or for my kids. Unfortunately, neither of them were fast enough for the grueling length of the game.
Fwi, a lot of the Italian players were indeed better looking.
Ever see the underwear ad they did? Modesty prevents me from posting a link. Last time I was home, there was a naked carwash put on by young men with proceeds to the church. Only in Italy! I do not exaggerate when I say that sculptors would have loved to have them pose for them. My daughter took a picture, not I, but she did send it to me.