It was on this day in 2006 that the finals for the World Cup were held at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.  Italy defeated France in penalty kicks to capture their fourth World Cup title.

France was awarded a penalty kick just seven minutes into the match and French captain Zinedine Zidane capitalized to give the French squad an early 1-0 lead.  However, the Italians would capitalize just 12 minutes later when Marco Materazzi headed in a corner kick off the boot off Andrea Pirlo.  Both teams had chances to go ahead, but the game remained tied after 90 minutes and would need extra time.  In extra time, Zidane was red carded for a head-butt to the chest of Materazzi after he allegedly insulted his sister.

No team scored in extra time and therefore the World Cup would be decided by a penalty shootout.  David Trezeguet of France missed his kick, which opened the door for the Italians.  Fabio Grosso stepped up and buried it top corner to crown the Italians as World Champions.

Here is Fabio Grosso's World Cup winning penalty kick

Notable Birthdays

Trent Green: NFL - Born July 9th 1970 (age 40) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Pete Kendall: NFL - Born July 9th 1973 (age 37) in Quincy, Massachusetts

Kelly Holcomb: NFL - Born July 9th 1973 (age 37) in Fayetteville, Tennessee

It was the epitome of narcissism.  With six teams vying for his services, LeBron James kept the world waiting until approximately 9:30 pm ET last night, when he would unveil "The Decision" in an hour long ESPN special broadcast.  And when the time had come and the words "This fall I am going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat" came out of his mouth, the hopes of an entire city were once again crushed.

Cleveland has had a long history of sports failures, and this will undoubtedly rank among the most tragic.  The man who was born and raised in the city and became their first overall draft pick in 2003, had decided to abandon ship and head south to play with two of the league's premiere stars in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.  It was official.  LeBron was headed to Miami before he could ever bring a long-awaited championship to him hometown.

And as you may have expected, the people of Cleveland were quick to jump off the "We Are LeBron" bandwagon, and onto the "We Hate LeBron" bandwagon.  And driving that bandwagon was Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who posted the following message on the team's homepage:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers [Cleveland Cavaliers Homepage]

Gilbert was not the only one showing his displeasure with LeBron's choice.  Many fans in the Cleveland area began burning their James jerseys as a symbol of their anger and feeling of betrayal.

LeBron has said that his decision was based on the need to win championships in order to become one of the greatest ever.  Sorry LeBron, but teaming up with two of the league's best players in order to win a championship does not make you one of the best ever.  You will never be like Mike.  Jordan did it with class.  He stayed in Chicago, played with whatever was around him, and did not set up an hour-long broadcast to announce his return, even after he had won three championships.

LeBron will now ride his high horse from Connecticut (where he made "The Decision") to South Beach.  I hope he falls off it somewhere along the way.

Hat Tip Pic - [SB Nation]