DORTMUND, Germany — One shot, and an entire country lost its breath. One more, and the euphoria Germany reveled in for almost a month was gone, too.

Germany was never supposed to win this World Cup, no matter what Juergen Klinsmann said when he took over as coach almost two years ago. It's a team filled with kids and, aside from Michael Ballack, devoid of stars.

With every victory, though, Germany looked increasingly charmed. Not just the team, but the country, too.

After six decades of tempering their patriotism to make amends for the past, it not only became OK for Germans to wave their flag, it became the right thing to do. The team's white jersey was practically a uniform for every German kid. Adults proudly painted their faces and dyed their hair.

Even wearing lederhosen was cool.

In less than two minutes Tuesday night, the joy Germany built since the tournament began June 9 disappeared like a soccer ball kicked over a wall.

"Of course our disappointment is huge now, no doubt about it. It hurts," Klinsmann said after Italy scored two goals in the last 90 seconds of extra time to win 2-0 and advance to the finals.

After the pain fades, success will linger.

"We showed a whole new German face to the world. It's something people can be proud of," Klinsmann said.

Right now, though, an entire country aches. Take what American fans feel when their team loses the Super Bowl or the World Series, and multiply it by about 100. It's not just a team that lost, it's all of Germany.

"We had two goals," Klinsmann said. "One, to advance as far as we could. And the second, to be a good host. It's wonderful that football can show these emotions and bring people together."

Surprising, too. Germans are not known for their exuberance, and they'll never be described as warm and fuzzy.

The World Cup gave them an excuse to cut loose in unexpected ways. Flags flew from apartment buildings and cars. People wore Germany gear even on days the team wasn't playing. Wigs and red-black-and-gold fauxhawks became the latest rage.

The cheer of "Berlin, Berlin, we're going to Berlin" was so popular, you'd think U2 or the Rolling Stones came up with it.

On Tuesday night, all but one section of the stadium was filled with white-clad German fans. They sang, cheered and whistled, one more night in the nonstop party that swept the country.

But Italy was the better team. Its defense was brilliant, so technically perfect that coaches throughout the world might want to instruct their teams with videos of the game. The offense spent plenty of time in German territory, too, and by the end it seemed only a matter of time before the Italians got their goal.

They finally did in the 119th minute, when Fabio Grosso twisted a left-footed shot into the far side of the net. And it was as if the entire country had gone into mourning.

The fans in the arena went silent. Many looked stunned. A few cried, like their heroes on the field.

"To beat Germany in their backyard, in their own stadium, is amazing," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said.

When the game ended, shocked German players who didn't collapse stood on the field dazed. Tears filled Ballack's eyes, and David Odonkor shook his head as he walked off. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann looked despondent, bent over with his hands on his knees and his head bowed.

Klinsmann made his way around the field, consoling each player and telling all of them they still had reason to be proud. As the team slowly gathered at one end of the field to acknowledge the fans, Klinsmann nodded and clapped, as if to urge them on.

"They all had big dreams. They all had big goals, and that was to play in the final on Sunday," Klinsmann said. "The dream didn't come true. It'll take some time to swallow."