THE GRAND FINALE

Italy vs France

The World cup draws to a conclusion tonight with a matchup that may surprised many soccer fanatics out there, with big names like Germany and Brazil being ousted out.

'Adieu Italy'
The Domenech side with an ageing contingent, have battled and stuttered their way through the 1st stage. However, their confidence and morale have been accelerating in an exponential fashion as the compeition progresses. From a unexpected contemptible performance in their first two opening matches, i.e. stalemates with Swiss and the Asians, they have gone on to prove the crititcs wrong by triumphing over big names like Spain, Brazil and Portugal, showing once again the classic football movements that won them the World Cup back in 1998. Their path to the final was not as easy as compared to the Azzurris where the latter had only encountered a difficult fixture with the Germans.

Soon-to-retire Zidane produced a goal in France’s 3-1 impressive victory over Spain, followed by vintage display in the sensational 1-0 success against holders Brazil. Zinedine Zidane, odds-on favourite to win the player of the tournament award, has been a leader cum inspirator for the French throughout the tournament. He has displayed amazingly individual dribbles, accurate passes/crosses and dead ball set pieces skills, and to be honest, it's arugably his best World Cup performance to date. Perhaps the thought of the last appearance in international scenes has spurred out the maximum potential out of himself.

'Arrivederci France'
On the other hand, the Italians did not looked like a typical Italian side with their usual attacking flair and movement. They have met up with reasonably weaker teams like Urkaine and Australia. Their real test was against hosts Germany where a incredible two minute performance broke the hearts of the entire German nation. Tonight will be their second real tough test, against a strong-willed French team, eager to prove that they are not the 2002 minnows that exited from the first round without scoring a goal. The Italian's defense has been rock solid throughout the compeition, without conceding a goal scored by an opposition, led by the agile and alert Buffon and Cannavaro. With such a compacted defense, the Italians will do what it does best. Counter-attack. In a 4-5-1 formation, Totti, Gattuso and Pirlo are capable of making electrifying runs. Together with Toni as the lone striker, the also solid French defense, that keep three clean sheets in four games, might bow down to a perhaps 'Butter-fingers' scenario by Fabien Barthez, yet again.

To conquer the French, one man needs to be laid-off. Zinedine Zidane. I am quite confident that the deadly Italian midfield trio should finish this job and will leave Domenech re-evaluating himself on why he has never won a major title as a manager. The match fixing trials with verdicts due tomorrow could have the Italians playing for much more than the World Cup, i.e. Their bleaking career future.

A narrow win by the Italians.

HAIL THE 2006 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS: ITALY !!

WC Soccer 2006