"We've reached an incredible finishing line. We're a great group of players and we deserve the satisfaction we've earned ourselves here.

"It was a great performance. We came close a number of times and defended in great style. Then, just when it looked as though it was heading for penalties, these two goals came along."

Grosso's impact at these finals follows a fine run with his Sicilian club, who he joined in Serie B from top-flight Perugia in 2003 and helped win promotion to Serie A.

Though Marcello Lippi did not include him in his squad for Euro 2004, Italy's coach will be very glad he did for Germany.