President Napolitano to attend Italy-France World Cup final

| Fri, 07/07/2006 - 05:25

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has accepted an invitation to go to Berlin on Sunday to watch the Italy-France World Cup final. The head of state was invited to attend the match by Giancarlo Abete, the deputy chairman of the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC).

French President Jacques Chirac has also said he intends to be in Berlin to cheer his national side.

In 1982, then-president Sandrio Pertini became the symbol of the nation when he stood up and cheered every time Italy scored in its successful World Cup final against Germany in Spain.

He later flew back to Rome with the victorious national side.