From Brussels to Rome, Italy's win in the World Cup final is being hailed not only as a sports triumph but also as a possible way to boost the country's sluggish economy.
Winger Roberto Carlos denied he was to blame for Brazil's elimination from the World Cup, and said the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to France will haunt him forever.
Marcello Lippi plans to step down as Italy coach after leading his team to World Cup victory on Sunday, Italian newspapers reported on Monday.
With its marquee event finished for another four years, soccer's governing body now will return its attention to combating the seedy side of the game.
Public pressure on Juergen Klinsmann to stay on as Germany coach has grown to unprecedented levels in recent days, in part because he has unwittingly tantalised the nation with his anguished inability to decide.
Germany only finished third in the World Cup but the host country has won the hearts of many foreign guests who were shown a new side of the country -- spontaneous, cheerful and proud.
World Cup winners Italy make a triumphant return home on Monday, with a penalty shootout victory over France in the final having restored pride to their scandal-tainted national game.
Germany played with great attacking quality and unswerving self-belief at this World Cup but the Klinsmann question will continue to cloud the host nation's optimism until it is resolved.
The World Cup in Germany was as much a festival as it was a football tournament, with organisers going further than ever before to bring the excitement of the competition out of the stadiums and into towns and cities across the country.
Rotating messages projected on the Arc de Triomphe read "You Remain Our Heroes," "Thank you Les Bleus," and "Zizou, We Love You."
Hundreds of thousands of delirious Italians who had packed piazzas from Rome to Milan and small towns in between waved flags, erupted in cheers and celebrated under fireworks Sunday as their team won its fourth World Cup title.
Scandal and World Cup victory. For Italy, they are becoming old acquaintances.
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