Heartbroken and emotional, Italian fans from around the world walked away from Ellis Park in despair Thursday after their team was eliminated from the World Cup.
The defending champions came into the World Cup with an aging team and little chance of another title, but few expected the team to exit after only three group matches.
``I want to scream,'' said Rosalimo Fazzi, a doctor who lives in Scotland. ``I am angry as I have come all this way, confident that my team would win the World Cup.''
Italy lost to Slovakia 3-2 Thursday at Ellis Park, leaving the team in last place in Group F and extending its winless streak to six matches.
``I am not happy with Italy's performance throughout the World Cup,'' said Brian Balocca, a 47-year-old handyman who lives in Melbourne, Australia. ``I thought we would win the tournament, never mind not even making it through the first round.''
Juan Camilo Olano and Francesca Davoli emigrated to South Africa from Italy two years ago, and both expected more from their team at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa.
``I am disgusted as I have been waiting for the World Cup to happen and for my team to win,'' said Olano, a 29-year-old architect who now lives in Durban. ``My heart will be with Italy until death.''
Davoli said she was sad, and wished the four-time champions had waited a few years to win their fourth title.
``I would rather have Italy win this World Cup than the previous one as I would be able to watch them play,'' she said.
Some fans were more realistic about the team's chances, however, and felt they got what they deserved.
``It was not bad luck like some people try to argue. We deserve to be eliminated,'' said Gianluca Allegritti, a 30-year-old engineer from Durban. ``It was impossible for us to go further in the tournament as we are played terribly.''
The Slovakian fans at the match left the stadium in quite a different state, singing and smiling as they made their way away from Ellis Park.
``We are in heaven,'' said Tibor Bredeovsky, a supermarket manager from Slovakia.
``I can't describe the feeling,'' added 29-year-old Miro Pessl. ``I knew Slovakia was going to win and now we've sent the world champions home.''
Eduardo Olano, a 65-year-old lawyer who lives in Colombia, took his team's elimination in stride.
``I was expecting today's loss as Italian football is slipping. Our national team consists of very old players and we do not have the best players in our team,'' Olano said. ``But still I am very sad.''
