 Lippi's Italy are now unbeaten in their last 25 matches |
Italy coach Marcello Lippi said winning the World Cup was the greatest moment of his life after their nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over France. An emotional Lippi said: "I have to say thanks to the players. This is the most satisfying moment of my life.
"I dedicate the victory to my family. The players have unlimited heart, character and personality.
"Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel."
He added: "I've had the fortune to win the Champions League and lots of Serie A titles, but I've never felt anything like this."
Captain Fabio Cannavaro, playing in his 100th game for Italy, said his side had achieved what nobody thought they could.
"Germany won the World Cup in Italy and now we have come here and won it," said Cannavaro.
"No one would have imagined it at the start of the World Cup, but we have won so we're happy."
Fabio Grosso struck the winning penalty in the shoot-out after a thrilling 1-1 draw in Berlin.
Grosso said: "It's incredibly emotional, words cannot hardly describe it.
"Maybe we still don't realize what we have achieved. We really wanted to win and in the end we made it."
Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso admitted that the scandal rocking Italian football drove the squad on to their World Cup triumph.
"If the scandal hadn't happened I think we wouldn't have won the World Cup," said Gattuso.
"It has given us more strength. This squad showed great heart.
"Maybe it wasn't pretty, but we were hard to beat. We played it one game at a time and with great humility."
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