Thursday, July 06, 2006
World Cup Final
After nearly a full month of soccer games, France and Italy have emerged as the last two standing and will play for the World Cup.
Italy was one of the pre-tournament favorites, so their participation is not surprising. The Italians have used great goalkeeping from Gianluigi Buffon, solid defense, and timely (and controversial) scoring to reach the final match. The Azzurri drew a tough opening group, but made it through with two wins and a draw. Curiously, the team that troubled them the most was the weakest they faced, the United States. That 1-1 tie was the only game in which the Italians conceded a goal (an own-goal in fact), and is the lone blemish on an otherwise perfect record. Things actually got easier for Italy as they went along, as Australia and Ukraine were their foes for the round of sixteen and the quarter finals. No knock on either of those sides, but they had both gone as far as they could realistically hope. But despite that, Italy needed a late goal to beat the Aussies 1-0; a goal that was the end product of a very questionable penalty call, which was a tough break for Australia who had generated the majority of the chances up until that point. Ukraine put up a fight, but in the end it was a convincing 3-0 victory. That set the stage for a match with the home team Germany. By this point it appeared as though the aura that seems to surround the host at every tournament was going to take Germany to glory, but a goal in final minute of extra time Italy spoiled the party.
France is a much different story. After a weak qualifying campaign, the French were written off by most as too old and slow to win this time around. A pair of disappointing draws to start had their advancement in doubt, but they managed a nervous victory over Togo to squeak through to the elimination round. Their first match-up was against a Spanish team that had breezed through their group with three wins and a goal margin of +7. But like so many times in the past, the Spaniards gassed a game they were heavily favoured to win. They took a 1-0 lead, but rising star Frank Ribery tied the game late in the first half, before Patrick Viera popped the winner in the 82nd minute. Next up was Brazil. The South Americans were expected to win the World Cup yet again, but to this point had played very inconsistent and sloppy. They could only coast for so long, succumbing to France 1-0 and going out with a pathetic wimper. The semi-final opponent would be Portugal, hated by many for the dirty tactics and diving that allowed them to pick up undeserved victories against the Netherlands and England. This time the refs wouldn't fall for the Portuguese play acting, and Zinedine Zidane was the hero with the winner in a 1-0 victory, ironically scored on a border-line penalty call.
So now one of these two undefeated teams will have to lose. For the first time since 1978 (Argentina verses Netherlands) the final will not feature either Brazil or Germany. Italy is looking for their fourth world title and last won it all in 1982. France is in the final for the second time, their previous appearance of course being the win at home eight years ago. These two neighbours played for the European championship in 2000, with France emerging as the winner in extra time. In World Cup '98 France also knocked Italy out in the quarter-final in a shoot-out, so the Mediterranian country has a chance for revenge. Italy will be favoured, but France has had a much tougher road to the final. The Italians have played it pretty consistent from start to finish, while the French seem to be peaking at the right moment after a shaky start. Italy has a clear advantage in goal with Buffon. France's 'keeper Fabian Barthez has only been beaten twice, but has been fighting the ball and messing up easy plays throughout the tournament. If not goaltending, the x-factor in this match could be the midfield play of old Zidane, who still has some magic left in his weary legs, versus that of Italian midfielder Francesco Totti. He has been solid, but not quite what you would expect out of a man reputed as one of the world's best, though of course one game could change all that. Both teams' stingy defense should mean a low-scoring affair. France seems to be the team of destiny right now, so I predict a 1-0 French victory to complete an unlikely triumph. Allez Les Bleus!
Italy was one of the pre-tournament favorites, so their participation is not surprising. The Italians have used great goalkeeping from Gianluigi Buffon, solid defense, and timely (and controversial) scoring to reach the final match. The Azzurri drew a tough opening group, but made it through with two wins and a draw. Curiously, the team that troubled them the most was the weakest they faced, the United States. That 1-1 tie was the only game in which the Italians conceded a goal (an own-goal in fact), and is the lone blemish on an otherwise perfect record. Things actually got easier for Italy as they went along, as Australia and Ukraine were their foes for the round of sixteen and the quarter finals. No knock on either of those sides, but they had both gone as far as they could realistically hope. But despite that, Italy needed a late goal to beat the Aussies 1-0; a goal that was the end product of a very questionable penalty call, which was a tough break for Australia who had generated the majority of the chances up until that point. Ukraine put up a fight, but in the end it was a convincing 3-0 victory. That set the stage for a match with the home team Germany. By this point it appeared as though the aura that seems to surround the host at every tournament was going to take Germany to glory, but a goal in final minute of extra time Italy spoiled the party.
France is a much different story. After a weak qualifying campaign, the French were written off by most as too old and slow to win this time around. A pair of disappointing draws to start had their advancement in doubt, but they managed a nervous victory over Togo to squeak through to the elimination round. Their first match-up was against a Spanish team that had breezed through their group with three wins and a goal margin of +7. But like so many times in the past, the Spaniards gassed a game they were heavily favoured to win. They took a 1-0 lead, but rising star Frank Ribery tied the game late in the first half, before Patrick Viera popped the winner in the 82nd minute. Next up was Brazil. The South Americans were expected to win the World Cup yet again, but to this point had played very inconsistent and sloppy. They could only coast for so long, succumbing to France 1-0 and going out with a pathetic wimper. The semi-final opponent would be Portugal, hated by many for the dirty tactics and diving that allowed them to pick up undeserved victories against the Netherlands and England. This time the refs wouldn't fall for the Portuguese play acting, and Zinedine Zidane was the hero with the winner in a 1-0 victory, ironically scored on a border-line penalty call.
So now one of these two undefeated teams will have to lose. For the first time since 1978 (Argentina verses Netherlands) the final will not feature either Brazil or Germany. Italy is looking for their fourth world title and last won it all in 1982. France is in the final for the second time, their previous appearance of course being the win at home eight years ago. These two neighbours played for the European championship in 2000, with France emerging as the winner in extra time. In World Cup '98 France also knocked Italy out in the quarter-final in a shoot-out, so the Mediterranian country has a chance for revenge. Italy will be favoured, but France has had a much tougher road to the final. The Italians have played it pretty consistent from start to finish, while the French seem to be peaking at the right moment after a shaky start. Italy has a clear advantage in goal with Buffon. France's 'keeper Fabian Barthez has only been beaten twice, but has been fighting the ball and messing up easy plays throughout the tournament. If not goaltending, the x-factor in this match could be the midfield play of old Zidane, who still has some magic left in his weary legs, versus that of Italian midfielder Francesco Totti. He has been solid, but not quite what you would expect out of a man reputed as one of the world's best, though of course one game could change all that. Both teams' stingy defense should mean a low-scoring affair. France seems to be the team of destiny right now, so I predict a 1-0 French victory to complete an unlikely triumph. Allez Les Bleus!
Comments:
<< Home
Yeah, Italy! And true, Totti hasn't been up to par yet but don't forget he is coming off a recent broken leg. And you are right, Zidane does seem to have something left. He is about the only player I like on the French team.
kate spade outlet, gucci handbags, oakley sunglasses, christian louboutin, jordan shoes, christian louboutin outlet, jordan pas cher, replica watches, prada handbags, replica watches, louis vuitton outlet, oakley sunglasses wholesale, nike air max, ugg boots, tiffany jewelry, tiffany and co, michael kors pas cher, ugg boots, longchamp outlet, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton outlet, nike outlet, sac longchamp pas cher, ray ban sunglasses, nike free run, nike free, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, prada outlet, christian louboutin uk, chanel handbags, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin shoes, ray ban sunglasses, polo outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet online, louis vuitton outlet, polo ralph lauren, oakley sunglasses, uggs on sale, nike roshe, louboutin pas cher, air max, oakley sunglasses, tory burch outlet, longchamp pas cher, cheap oakley sunglasses
sac vanessa bruno, hollister uk, hollister pas cher, mulberry uk, michael kors outlet online, nike roshe run uk, nike air max uk, coach purses, nike air force, ralph lauren uk, ray ban pas cher, north face, michael kors outlet online, polo lacoste, lululemon canada, guess pas cher, uggs outlet, michael kors, nike air max uk, burberry handbags, true religion jeans, nike air max, true religion outlet, vans pas cher, nike blazer pas cher, converse pas cher, sac hermes, replica handbags, michael kors outlet, oakley pas cher, new balance, ray ban uk, true religion outlet, nike free uk, abercrombie and fitch uk, north face uk, coach outlet, uggs outlet, michael kors outlet online, nike tn, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet, burberry outlet, michael kors, timberland pas cher, kate spade, michael kors outlet online, coach outlet store online
Post a Comment
<< Home
