![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/180.jpg)
The team coach struggles to make its way back to the hotel through a sea of delighted Italian supporters
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/181.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/181.jpg)
The day's dramatic events take their toll on the younger members of the Italian party as they arrive at their base
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/182.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/182.jpg)
Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic the Italian population of Chicago celebrate the win on Harlem Avenue
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/183.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/183.jpg)
Italy's captain Fabio Cannavaro holds one last news conference in Germany before flying back home
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/184.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/184.jpg)
German fire crews salute Italy's flight as it taxis away from Dusseldorf airport before heading back to Rome
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/185.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/185.jpg)
The Frecce Tricolori provide their own tribute to Italy's triumphant team with a colourful fly past at Pratica di Mare
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/186.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/186.jpg)
Cannavaro is the first player to emerge and he relishes the opportunity to lift the World Cup on home
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/187.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/187.jpg)
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon waves to fans while proudly displaying his World Cup winner's medal
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/188.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/188.jpg)
There is chaos in the streets as overjoyed Italians surround the team's bus as it makes its way from the airport
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/189.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/189.jpg)
President Giorgio Napolitano holds a reception for the squad at the Presidential Chigi Palace
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/190.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/190.jpg)
An estimated 500,000 people line the streets to see the victorious team's open-top bus parade
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/191.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/191.jpg)
Maverick defender Marco Materazzi, who played such a pivotal role in the final, holds the trophy aloft
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/192.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/192.jpg)
The excitement intensifies and a mammoth crowd now awaits the players at the Circus Maximus
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/193.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/193.jpg)
Thousands of Italian flags are waved - the crowd gets even larger as the bus carrying the players gets closer
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/194.jpg)
![](http://www.pegham.com/images/imported/2006/07/194.jpg)
And Cannavaro gives the crowd what they have waited for and dreamed about - the sight of him parading the World Cup
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