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Rugby, a historic victory . This really seemed a negative period, after that in the last world championship the Italian rugby team had only gone through a number of negative results. Yet, qualification for the most important world event had been considered a major springboard. In fact, the main representatives of the European rugby decided to include Italy among the nations taking part in the most prestigious European tournament.  The new millennium tournament has thus increased from "5 nations" to "6 nations", thanks to Italy's participation. Yet, many experts thought that this jump would mean other poor figures for our national team, mainly in the light of the last world cup. The change of the team leader, from French Coste to New Zealander Johnstone, only seemed a sign that the team wanted forget as soon as possible its defeat in England. This was true until last Saturday when, with an incredible exploit, the 16 Italian players managed to win over Scotland in the first day of the European tournament. It was a fantastic surprise in an atmosphere of incredible enthusiasm (23,000 spectators at the Flaminium stadium of Rome, with sold out) that made the Italians descover the world of rugby. A hard but fair sport that, when it is played at its highest levels, can become one of the most spectacular disciplines. The heart of our national team was able to overcome all scepticisms and prejudices, as well as what appeared an unavoidable technical-tactical gap in favour of current champions.  The absolute protagonist was Italo-Argentinian Diego Dominguez, one of the few men who escaped the expulsion after the world championship, who managed to mark 29 out of the 34 global scores, thus becoming a new recordman of the event.  His most significant words, leaving aside the usual dedications, are the best example of how the "survivors" have managed to lead the rest of the team to achieve this incredible result: "we really wanted to get even with them; last year they had defeated us". The match ended with the Scottish players really astonished, outclassed and sportingly ready to admit our superiority. From them, the masters and current champions, came the most beautiful compliment, mainly for all those who love this sport: "they have perfectly interpreted the spirit of rugby, showing that they have overcome the great disappointment of the world cup and that they now deserve to play with the five best European teams." This can be sufficient for now, waiting for the next match against Wales, this time playing away.   Paolo Ghisoni

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