Italy goes out today, losing 3-2 to Slovakia. This, naturally, after I wrote that among the big Euros in trouble, Italy was in "the best position."

The Azzurri played shockingly poorly today until the introduction of the brilliant but injured Andrea Pirlo (56') and the lively Fabio Quagliarella (halftime) as second half substitutes. It wasn't enough. Defensive inattention and not-Buffon goalkeeping did Italy in (I think Gigi stops the third goal), even after Pirlo and Quagliarella gave them life.

I'm sorry to see the Italians go. They never get the respect they deserve, and they play in many more dramatic and interesting matches than they are credited for, e.g., the enthralling Italy-Germany 2006 WC semifinal, or the Guadalcanalesque US-Italy 2006 group match. Sad as well is that Pirlo, one of my favorite players -- cerebral, steady, classy -- has almost certainly played his last WC game.

FF