In Rome, fans jumped on top of their cars in joy in the neighbourhood near the Vatican. And in the wine town of Soave, outside of Verona, residents set off fireworks in celebration.

“It is a wonderful victory,” said Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, the news agency ANSA reported.

“The boys played an extraordinary World Cup with great technique. All of Italy embraces the Azzurri and tomorrow Rome will give them the tribute that they deserve with a huge and wonderful celebration at the Circus Maximus.”

Prime Minister Romano Prodi watched the game in Bologna with his wife Flavia and Defence Minister Arturo Parisi. When Fabio Grosso scored the last penalty, they all jumped to their feet.

“We won for a bar,” Prodi said, referring to France’s missed penalty shot. “One bar made the difference. There are some competitions that you win that way.”

In Milan, about 150,000 fans watched the victory from the Piazza del Duomo, braving the city’s heat and cheering and waving Italy’s white, red and green flags.

The scene was the same across Italy: At Rome’s ancient Circus Maximus – a classic spot for soccer fans in the capital – 200,000 fans watched on three giant screens. Neapolitan fans revelled at the downtown vast Piazza del Plebiscito, while in Florence cheers went up at the Piazzale Michelangelo, a spot known for its beautiful view of the Tuscan city.

The final in Berlin brought the nation to a halt. Concerts and theatre performances were cancelled or rescheduled, some cinema theatres planned to shut down and city streets were deserted after kick off.

In Sicily, religious processions were moved up or postponed to avoid coinciding with the game.

“We have a dream,” said Gazzetta dello Sport, under a backdrop of a blue Italian jersey. “Let’s bring it back home!” said Corriere dello Sport. Italy last won the World Cup in 1982.

“Dear Azzurri, you must make July 9, 2006, one of those memorable dates in one’s life,” said Gazzetta.

Italians love their national team, and this year the Azzurri’s good performance at the World Cup in Germany brought fans much-needed relief and joy after a massive match-fixing scandal involving top Serie A clubs had left many of them shocked and disenchanted.

“This national side has made Italians fall back in love with soccer, it has restored a sense of beauty that had got lost,” Veltroni said earlier, after surveying the Circus Maximus, where fans were gathering.

Officials were taking no chances.

In Naples, some fountains in the centre were sealed off to prevent possible vandalism. In Rome, alcohol was banned in some public spaces from 6pm (5pm Irish Time), two hours before kick off, and the city’s centre was being closed off to traffic until 3am (2am Irish Time).

Glass bottles were banned, and an estimated 1,000 police were being deployed near the Circus Maximus. Security in front of the French Embassy – which is located near one of Rome’s liveliest piazzas – was being increased.