It provided what an Italian commentator called "a light at the end of the tunnel" that could influence elections from London to Warsaw.

For this reason, Italian political commentators refer to the post-1992 period as the "Second Republic", despite the absence of any major constitutional change.

A number of Italian commentators - and even some players - spoke of the dread of penalty kicks before this tournament.

The outraged response, Italian commentators suggest, teaches a lesson: you cannot run a country like a board room.

The decision provoked a wave of soul-searching among Italian commentators, whose emphasis shifted as the crisis turned.

Italian commentators reflected on the contrast between Schettino and De Falco and what it said about the national character.

Italian commentators said today's results reinforced a trend that emerged in April, when Italians voted overwhelmingly in a referendum for political reform.

Professor Ellis quoted largely from the early Italian commentators, maintaining that the land where the Renaissance originated had done more for scholarship than is commonly recognized.

So say the Italian commentators.

Some Italian commentators have complained that the race, for all the serious economic problems Italy faces, has failed to come up with new ideas or new faces.