The score was tied 1-1, and tensions were high between Italy and France as they entered into extra time. France's top player Zinedine Zidane was ejected from the game in one of the most infamous incidents in professional football after headbutting an Italian player.
Thousands of miles away in Toronto people erupted in cheer — the path was clear for victory — and Italy went on to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. As fans spilled into the streets, the city vibrated with celebrations that lasted for days.
A team photo from that time can still be found proudly mounted on the orange and white tiles of Bitondo's, but for the first time in decades, the Italian team will not be playing in the World Cup.
WTF ITALY IS NOT IN THE FIFA WORLD CUP 😡😡 LIKE THE IMPACT ITS GOING TO HAVE IN TORONTO ITSELF I JUST CANT 💀💀 http://pic.twitter.com/fUL44SRcIY
— CAT (@Cat97_1997) November 13, 2017
Fans gathered at Cafe Diplomatico in Little Italy — the de facto epicentre of Italian football in Toronto--last night and watched as the team lost in a draw to Sweden, effectively disqualifying them from next year's games.
Many restaurants and bars in Little Italy and Corso Italia on St. Clair West generate lots of business during the World Cup and summer months as patrons gather to root for or against various teams.
While it's unlikely they will suffer too much, for many it just feels... odd.
Toronto is now experiencing a strange wave of schadenfreude because Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup
— Meh (@Simon_in_London) November 14, 2017
The Italian football team has always been a huge source of pride for Toronto's Italian community and this development has left some people wondering what the summer's main event will look like.
Italy not going into the World Cup feels so weird. Toronto will be a little quieter this summer... #WorldCup #Russia2018
— jo (@joee_martins) November 14, 2017
Disappointment and confusion over how to feel and who to root for has some switching gears and looking for a silver lining (or trophy).
I already know 2018 will be a shitty year. Italy and Canada not making it to FIFA what a disappointment. Although I already knew Canada wasn't making it. Still optimistic though. Toronto might win the Stanley cup. Go leafs go
— The_tragic_MrDi Sano (@realMDiSano) November 14, 2017
Whether to not the Italian fans will work through this existential crisis in time to get behind the Portuguese team is yet to be seen (and highly unlikely!), but it will certainly be a different kind of summer.
by Lisa Power via blogTO
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