Who would have thought!

Did you expect Italy to get the better of hosts Germany to secure a place in the World Cup finals?

Where did German coach Jurgen Klinsmann and captain Michael Ballack [Images] go wrong? Was it in the midfield?

What did Italian coach Marcello Lippi and captain Fabio Cannavaro do right? Have they been reserving their best for when it matters most?

Is this Italy's [Images] time?

After all, if you believe in numbers, the Italians appear in a World Cup final every 12 years. They lost in 1970 (to Pele's Brazil [Images]), won in 1982 (despite a soccer scandal, thanks to Paolo Rossi), lost in 1994 (again to Brazil; remember how Roberto Baggio missed a crucial penalty?).

The numbers dictate that they should win the Cup on Sunday (and if you believe in signs, Italian football is once again trapped in controversy this year, like in 1982).

Tell Us!

And check out what YOU said when we asked you if Italy were this World Cup's dark horses.