Here we are...
The big match is on Sunday...
You have to applaud the French for pulling it together after a terrible group stage and the Italians for beating a high-quality Germany side and going through the entire tournament so far without letting the other team score against them (and don't I feel special for being in the stadium to see the only ball that has ended up in Buffon's net?).
So, how's it going to turn out?
I'll start with how I'd like it to turn out. France wins 2-0 with Henry getting the first and Zidane putting the icing on the cake with a late second as the Italians push up looking for the equalizer. Why is this what I'm hoping for?
1) I can't stand watching the Italians play - too much diving, too much crying, too much focus on the defensive end of the field all of which combine to obscure what is an impressive collection of talent.
2) Henry plays for France and in the absence of a national team I support (US, Holland, or England - in that order) - I'm reverting to the team with the most Arsenal players.
3) Zidane deserves to go out like Jordan and Elway (sorry, mixing sports metaphors again)
4) There should be some karmic payback coming in the wake of the Serie A match-fixing debacle. An Italy win would send all the wrong messages.
All of the above said, this match comes down to Buffon vs. Barthez and which one you think is more likely to make a heroic play (Buffon) and which is more likely to make an error at a critical juncture (Barthez). Henry and Zidane are the two players most likely to create an individual moment of magic on the offensive end but big championships usually come down to the team that prevents the other from doing what it wants to do and Italy have shown more propensity for that in this tournament than France has.
So there you have it - Italy 1; France 0 and a sense that there is no justice in the world.
Enjoy the match
Allez Les Blues
This being the third World Cup, that I've seen, I've finally decided to stop being a fan of soccer every 4 years. I decided to become a fan and follow the Premiership. The problem is, which team do I throw my hat in with?
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd ask for advice... I posted more of my dilemma on my blog: http://pandasthatwontscrewtosavetheirspecies.blogspot.com/2006/07/premiership.html
Make it an interesting team. If you have to choose one of the big teams, make it Arsenal. I'm personally a Newcastle fan which is rarely boring. Find some players you've liked at the WC, see who they play for.
ReplyDeleteThank you for supporting Holland, Neal. However, I think not supporting Italy because they dive/cry/play catanaccio. I think they haven proven to be an outstanding team this tournament in both attacking and defending. Yes, I would have liked to see Henry and Zidane lift that trophy, but you can't say Italy didn't deserve their place in the final. Apart from the Grosso dive against Australia and the elbow against McBride, they have played a great game.
ReplyDelete"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"
ReplyDeleteMalouda's "penalty", and Zidane's toro impersonation... have the scales been balanced?
Good one Jeremy. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a neutral who wanted Argentina to win (on the field, and not the boxing match afterwards), I can't say France was particularly inspiring during the WC even though they beat a sub-par Brazil and played "better" than Italy in the second half/extra time. I'd reckon that 8 games out of 10 would go to the Italians in 90 mins. Henry, once again, showed why he is a good, but not great striker. Zizou needs anger management. The less said about Barthez, the better. While Malouda had a great game, Viera and Thuram are the stars on this French team.
One also has to remember that Torres had a clear penalty denied that would have put the Spanish up 2-1 and Henry's dive upon collision with Puyol would have made Jacques Costeau proud!!!