2006 World Cup Finals - Germany

The 2006 World Cup Finals were played out in Germany and was regarded as one of the best ever organised sporting events. The hosts Germany failed to win on home soil this time like they had in 1974 but managed a creditable third place ahead of Portugal.

,p>The Tournament was won by Italy, who claimed their fourth World cup be beating France on penalties after the game finished after extra time at 1-1. See 2006 World cup Final.

The 2006 World cup attracted one of the biggest ever worldwide TV audience of over 25 billion, proving that soccer is still the most avidly followed sport in the world.

England were the only home nation to make the finals and after winning their Group, they won through to the quarter finals where they lost out on penalties to Portugal after a goalless draw. It was a surprise to many that the two giants from South America, Brazil and Argentina also went out in the quarter final stage, Argentina losing on penalties to Germany, while Brazil lost 0-1 to France.

It meant that the last four teams in the tournament were European, but it was Italy, who defeated Germany 2-0 and France who overcame the Portugese 1-0, who won through to the final.