Prior to the game, Germany's Oliver Kahn told the Irish Times: "Collina is a world-class referee, there's no doubt about that, but he doesn't bring luck, does he?"
Sebelum pertandingan, Irish Times mengutip ucapan Oliver Kahn, "Collina adalah seorang wasit kelas dunia, tidak ada keraguan mengenai hal itu, tetapi ia tidak membawa keberuntungan, iya kan?"