World Cup 2006 The Finale

Venue: Olympiastadion
Referee: ELIZONDO Horacio >> the guy who sent Rooney off the field ….

It all boils down to this game tonight,the 1 month spent with our eyes glued to the TV has now reached it’s climax and it’s the final nobody would have guessed as the strong Italians take on the resurgent French team.

At the beginning of this tournament nobody gave France a chance,most people said they would at most make it to the 2nd round,and even the French people in majority didn’t believe their team were capable of doing what they have done.
But Zidane has weaved his magic again,and Makelele,Viera,Sagnol,Abidal,Henry and co have proven the critics wrong by reaching the World Cup final for the second time together.

As for the Italians,it was a bad start as it could get as players and even Lippi himself were called by the Italian courts to answer questions regarding the footy scandal that has rocked the Italian league,imagine finding yourself involved in a scandal just before a major tournament!.
But the Italians have pulled through,some say they were lucky to get past Australia,but yea sometimes you need that slice of luck in football and Italy got it.
They have also impressed me with their excellent teamwork,team spirit and attacking football!
YES,Italians attacking?~!@!!

It is indeed a World Cup final between two well balanced teams.

Here’s 10 reasons why each team will win the Cup:

Italy

- Because, for many of the Italian players, Germany 2006 represents a last chance to win a major title with the Azzurri. After all, the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero are not getting any younger.
- Because the ItaliansÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ motivation is massive after 28 years without a win over the French.
- Because the Italian players know many of the French players inside out after having played against them repeatedly in Serie A or the UEFA Champions League.
- Because Italian confidence levels are sky-high after the victory over their German hosts.
- Because Italy are the most solid team in the tournament, especially in defence (just one goal conceded, and an own goal at that).
- Because Gennaro Gattuso is perhaps the only midfield enforcer in the world capable of keeping the brilliant Zinedine Zidane quiet.
- Because Lilian Thuram has himself said that Italy have been the best team at the tournament.
- Because France are the oldest side in the tournament and must therefore be tired after having played six games.
- Because the scandal currently rocking Italian football is strangely reminiscent of the one that shook Calcio just before the Azzurri’s triumph at Spain 82.
- Because whoever is involved, a FIFA World Cup Final invariably turns on a simple twist of fate.

France

- Because France have not lost to Italy since 1978.
- Because this Final is the farewell party of Zidane, Thuram, Claude Makelele and possibly other French players, so defeat would be unthinkable.
- Because Les Bleus’ route through the tournament (victory against Spain and Portugal, Final against Italy) is uncannily similar to their UEFA EURO 2000 trajectory.
- Because the Italians were taken to extra time in the semi-final and must therefore be more tired than the French.
- Because of Zidane.
- Because France have never lost a major tournament final.
- Because Del Piero has himself said that France are the favourites.
- Because having beaten the world champions and hot favourites Brazil, Les BleusÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ self-belief is unshakeable.
- Because Patrick Vieira and Makelele form what is arguably the best defensive midfield pairing at this FIFA World Cup.
- Because whoever is involved, a FIFA World Cup Final invariably turns on a simple twist of fate.

Best friends…Cannavaro & Thuram

World Cup Head-to-Head

France ‘38 Italy 3 - 1 France
Argentina ‘78 Italy 2 - 1 France
Mexico ‘86 Italy 0 - 2 France
France ‘98 Italy 0 - 0 France

How the game would go…most probably..

I think both teams are well balanced,however i feel bumbling Barthez hasn’t been really tested yet…so he could be heading for a really hard game tonight.
Buffon was called upon may times especially against the Aussies and the Germans and he has come through with a clean sheet on both occassions.

In defence for the French they have the solid Lilian Thuram,he really is working his socks off.
They also have attacking minded defenders in Sagnol & Gallas.
For the Italians it’s one word CANNAVARO, he is their rock their main man.
Materazzi and Zambrotta are really good too..just plain old defenders..Italians are always renowned for their defending.

In midfield it’s all about Zidane v.s Gatusso..Beauty v.s the Beast, the Brazilians,Spanish and Portugese allowed Zidane to play his game,they allowed him space to flow and that was the beginning of their downfall,don’t expect Gatusso to be that kind tonight,the ‘General’ or the ‘Snarl’ or whatever you call him is just the right person to put the brakes on the excellent Zidane.

I have seen many times in the La Liga,if Zidane isn’t allowed to play his game he becomes agitated and the whole team suffers,and even Zidane many many times has been red-carded for being so frustrated that he had his moment’s of pure stupidity…and Gatusso might just cause Zidane to reach that boiling point tonight, i just get a feeling that one of them is gonna get a red card tonight.

As for the fowards there’s Henry and Luca Toni,the difference is the Italians now play vibrant attacking footy,so there’s also the likes of Del Piero,Totti,Gillardino,Inzaghi and Iaquinta.
The french has opted for a single stiker….so it all boils down to Henry or Trezeguet when he comes on.