"The world belongs to us," headlined La Repubblica, writing of "emotion, tension and joy" right up to the final whistle in Sunday's final in Berlin, eventually won on penalties after the match finished 1-1 in extra time.

The Corriere della Sera, Italy's biggest-selling newspaper, waxed eloquent.

"In 25 years time, when the young generation who slept in wonder after a night of festivities has grown up, there will be memories. In the souvenir album of life, July 9 2006 will be written large," it wrote.

"We are champions because we are Italian," its editorialist added, saying that from now on "everywhere on Planet Earth, the white red and green passport of Italy will be stamped with admiration."

"On top of the world," blared La Stampa on its front page, calling it "the craziest month for Italy" ranging from victory in the World Cup to the scandal of alleged match-fixing involving four of the country's top clubs including champions Juventus.

La Stampa, like many of the other newspapers, bore a full-page picture of a dozen hands holding aloft the trophy after the match.

"You were magnificent," said Il Messaggero. "Italy, a world heart."

"It's true, we are the champions of the world," titled the Gazzetta dello Sport. "Fantastic Italy, the world is yours."

The press also roundly condemned French captain Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on defender Marco Materazzi in the second period of extra time, for which he was sent off.

"Zizou, an inglorious goodbye," wrote the Corriere dello Sport. La Gazzetta called it "a malicious end" to his career, while the Corriere della Sera said it was "the warrior's last act of madness."

"France, perhaps more than Italy, needed a victory to sweep out the feeling of depression and suspicion crossing the country," the Corriere della Sera went on.

For French President Jacques Chirac, "near to his own goodbye, it would have been a last hurrah in a glorious atmosphere. But in a somewhat unreal silence in the Parisian night, only a few thousand Italians were having a party."