italiano vs germania

bola memang bundar. semua sekat-sekat dilintasinya. termasuk tembok-tembok sepi basilika di Roma, Italia.
pertandingan malam nanti cukup mencemaskan, khususnya buat Paus Benediktus XVI. kesebelasan mana jagoannya? Italia apa Jerman? Jerman apa Italia?
dari apartemennya yang sepi, mungkin paus akan melompat-lompat menyaksikan kedua kesebelasan berlaga.

dan tampaknya keajaiban sudah menanti.
saya juga menduga Jerman bakal tersingkir. bukan karena konspirasi atau hitungan politis.
tapi karena bola memang bundar.

nah, siapa yang kali ini akan mendapat giliran menangis di tepi sungai Rhein?

Pope’s soccer loyalty torn between Germany and Italy

London, Jul 4: Pope Benedict XVI will be supporting Germany, his Fatherland during the first half of the semi final tie against Italy, and the Azurris during the second half for having spent more than 40 years in the land of the Renaissance.

The Pope, who was born in Bavaria, supports German football club Bayern Munich,reports The Mirror.

His personal secretary Father George Gaenswein said: "The Holy Father is always impartial and so he will be tonight. His heart will be with Germany and Italy".

He said the Pope was an avid football lover and delayed his dinner when Germany’s quarter-final match against Argentina had to be settled through penalties.

"When the match against Argentina went to penalties the other night we had to delay dinner so the Pope could watch them," said Father Gaenswein.

He further said that the Pope had taken a special interest in the Cup since organiser German great Franz Beckenbauer (the Kaiser) visited him last October. The Pope also brushed up his football knowledge after looking blank when he met football legend Pele.

Father George then had to prompt him and say ‘This is Pele, Holy Father, the world's greatest footballer’.

-- Asian News International (ANI)