Well we had to find at least one story we could use the celebrate Manchester United’s victory over Bayern Munich - when it comes to football in this country, it’s not a game, it’s all out war.

After an early lead by Deutsche Telekom, it was Olivetti knocking the ball into the back of the fibre net in to level the score in extra time last Sunday. The long running talks between the two companies ended with Olivetti doing a cunning over-the-head reverse kickflip pass to  Telecom Italia ... 1-1

“It was a purely defensive measure and a part of the failed Telecom Italia defence strategy,” said a source close to Olivetti, who had always questioned the logic of the deal. The source added that Olivetti managing director Roberto Colaninno “has said he is open to discussing international alliances especially in Europe and has never ruled out talking to Deutsche Telekom some time in future.”

As “transfer fees” are spiralling, the deal didn’t come cheap for Olivetti who will pay US$32.52 billion to take 51.02 percent and control of Telecom Italia, and its high debts may condition strategic choices. But “a few seconds later” the game got even worse for Deutsche Telekom, who are facing a major defence breakdown over what to do next with its erstwhile partner France Telecom who are planning talks with Telecom Italia, and Deutsche Telekom have a 2 percent stake ... 2-1 final score. Big smiles.