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The World Cup Final (09/07/2006 17:41)

vs


The 2006 World Cup have given Europe their 9th world title. This means, when the judge blow his whistle for the last time tonight Europe will draw level with South America. Both continents will then have 9 world titles. This is not something new in the history though, cause only twice in the history have teams from the same continent won two consecutive FIFA World Cups; Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Also notice that the World Cup have been held on European land 10 times, where only 1 time a team from South America have won (Brazil 1958 in sweden). So basically, Europe have never won the World Cup in any other continents. While South American teams on the other hand have won at least 1 title in all the continents the World Cup have been hosted; 4 in South America - 3 in North America - 1 in Asia - 1 in Europe.


Ronaldo the diver:

Ronaldo have been criticized a lot for diving to much in this World Cup. Specially after the group stage. We saw it against Holland, England, France and Germany. The worst one maybe against France just after the magician, Zizou, had teleported his penalty into the net behind Ricardo in the Portugal goal. I could practically see the springboard hidden in the pitch as he flew through the air just like superman after running between two french defenders. Luckily none of the judges got fooled by him, but he's not alone in the cheating section.
Both Italy and France are topping an unofficial statistics made by an english software-company, IBI. Italy coming out on top with a total of 32 incidents so far this World Cup where they have either fooled or tried to fool the judge. France is second with 28 incidents but they're topping their statistics on complaints to the refree.
So i gotta ask; is this how the future of football gonna be? Is "Gods hand" gonna be the essential of football?
Lets hope not! The judges gotta pay more attention to diving and hand out cards on it. This way we might get our belowed game back and once again get to see the attacking teams back in the top.


So basically what we want to see is; joy, hope, passion, celebrating, team hold, supporters. It's the game called Football...



European soil, Italy unbeatable?

Tonight Italy's goalie, Gianluca Buffon, can go into the World Cup history and become the most prolific keeper ever played. Since he last let in a goal when Cristian Zaccardo scored an own goal in the 27th minute group stage match against USA, Buffon have kept a clean sheet for 453 minutes putting him fifth in the all-time ranking for unbeaten goalkeepers.
Another Italien, Walter Zenga, holds the current record with 517 minutes unbeaten record in 1990.

Italy can also grow one of their current records further tonight. As long as they aint getting beaten by the French before a penalty shoot out the Italien team have gone 25 World Cup matches unbeaten on European soil. Last loss came against Poland in Germany 1974 when they got beaten 2-1 in the last group stage match sending them out ofthe tournament.


Ten good reasons why we'll win!

Italy

France
- 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 France have not lost to Italy since 1978.
- Because the Italians’ motivation is massive after 28 years without a win over the French. - Because this Final is the farewell party of Zidane, Thuram, Claude Makelele and possibly other French players, so defeat would be unthinkable.
- 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 Les Bleus' route through the tournament (victory against Spain and Portugal, Final against Italy) is uncannily similar to their UEFA EURO 2000 trajectory.
- Because Italian confidence levels are sky-high after the victory over their German hosts. - Because the Italians were taken to extra time in the semi-final and must therefore be more tired than the French.
- Because Italy are the most solid team in the tournament, especially in defence (just one goal conceded, and an own goal at that). - Because of Zidane.
- Because Gennaro Gattuso is perhaps the only midfield enforcer in the world capable of keeping the brilliant Zinedine Zidane quiet. - Because France have never lost a major tournament final.
- Because Lilian Thuram has himself said that Italy have been the best team at the tournament. - Because Del Piero has himself said that France are the favourites.
- Because France are the oldest side in the tournament and must therefore be tired after having played six games. - Because having beaten the world champions and hot favourites Brazil, Les Bleus’ self-belief is unshakeable.
- 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 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. - Because whoever is involved, a FIFA World Cup Final invariably turns on a simple twist of fate.


The Golden Ball award:

The Golden Ball is awarded to the player who have been most important to their team through out he whole tournament. Unlike the Golden Shoe award the Golden Ball award have only been around since the 1982 World Cup in Spain when the italian striker Paolo Rossi became the first player to ever win the award. He also won the Golden Shoe award the same tournament with his 6 goals. 2 times have the award been given out to a player not playing for the tournament winners. Salvatore Schillaci in 1990 for Italy who came third in the tournament and Oliver Kahn in 2002 for Germany who got beaten 2-0 by brazil in the final despite Ronaldo scoring 8 goals throughout the tournament for the champions.

In tonights match 7 players are nominated. 4 Italien players and 3 French players, also 2 Germans (Ballack and Klose) and 1 Portugese (Maniche) are nominated for the award.
Italy: Gianlugi Buffon (182406 votes so far), Andrea Pirlo (110292 votes so far), Fabio Cannavaro (17076 so far) and Gianluca Zambrotta (1399 votes so far).
France: Zinedine Zidane (49989 votes so far), Thierry Henry (5508 votes so far) and Patrick Vieira (2312 votes so far)




Road to the final:
   

Italy

          

France

  
Stage   Opponent Result         Opponent Result
Grp   Ghana 1-0         Switzerland 0-0
Grp   USA 1-1         Korea Republic 1-1
Grp   Czech Republic 2-0         Togo 2-0
1/8 final   Australia 1-0         Spain 3-1
1/4 final   Ukraine 3-0         Brazil 1-0
1/2 final   Germany 2-0 a.e.t         Portugal 1-0
Final   France x-x         Italy x-x


Lineups:
 

Italy

  

France
1. BUFFON Gianluigi 16. BARTHEZ Fabien
3. GROSSO Fabio 3. ABIDAL Eric
5. CANNAVARO Fabio 4. VIEIRA Patrick
8. GATTUSO Gennaro 5. GALLAS William
9. TONI Luca 6. MAKELELE Claude
10. TOTTI Francesco 7. MALOUDA Florent
16. CAMORANESI Mauro 10. ZIDANE Zinedine
19. ZAMBROTTA Gianluca 12. HENRY Thierry

20. PERROTTA Simone 15. THURAM Lilian
21. PIRLO Andrea 19. SAGNOL Willy
23. MATERAZZI Marco 22. RIBERY Frank


My toughts before the match:


So this is it, the last match of the World Cup 2006.Sorry folks, I know there's plenty people out there that would love to see the tournament go on and on and on with beautiful football. Unfortunately football players need vacation too, although the don't deserve it because "I want to see more!"

Well, there's nothing to do about that. For tonights match I expect Italy to go out and attack to push the French team back which will give France good opportunities to counter-attack. This might give Henry the place he needs to get the 2 inches he needs, at least as long as he aint going into offside. Henry is the most fouling player so far in this tournament with his total of 17 fouls commited in France's 6 matches played. Italy's striker, Luca Toni, on the other hand is on top when it comes to receive fouls with the total of 23.

This is a match that can go either way. France haven't lost against Italy since 1978 and never lost a big tournament final. Italy on the other hand is the slighty favourites due to being extrodinary organized and deadly in front of goal. the likes of Fabien "slippery hands" Barthez in the French goal wont make their supporters tremble less when ever Italy makes a shot. A stupid rebound is all Luca Toni needs to put the ball into the net. Hopefully a stupid rebound wont be what decides the winner.

Players to hopefully shine:
Andrea Pirlo
Gianluca Buffon
Fabio Cannavaro
Thierry Henry
Zinedine Zidane
Lilian Thuram

Possible substitution heros:
Filippo Inzaghi
Alberto Gilardino
Davide Trezeguet


If i have to give out a tip today i would say 1-0 to Italy, but anything can happen with these kinda players on the pitch.


Final word:

I just wanted to make my final words in this blog go to Zinedine 'Zizou' Zidane. One of the best footballers ever played this game. May his talent grow into a player who has all his career in front of him.

We'll miss you on the pitch!

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Zz00003327 wrote:
23:44 09/07 2006
pictureofc. we'll miss Zidane.. he's been a great player in a decade. nothing changes that, even though he lost his temper today. very stupid way to end it though... anyway people losing their temper happends all the time and it's not this way Zidane has infected the footbal throughout his career
Kenshin wrote:
01:16 10/07 2006
pictureHe will now be famously remembered as the player who head butted  Materazzi in a world cup final.He becomes part of an elite group of player to be sent off in a World Cup final. Im dissapointed at what he did but im happy that Italy won. All I can say is what an idiot, believe it or not but he cost France the world cup. He forced someone to take the penalty that he should have taken.
Zz00003327 wrote:
02:09 10/07 2006
pictureyou cant say he cost them the win...Trezeguet, who missed would probably have taken the penalty anyway, so the guy that Zidane "forced" to shoot instead of him scored... btw. Materazzi is a ****, he deserved to be headbutted... only stupid of Zidane to get sent of.. he could've saved it for the locker rooms:P:P
Spinner wrote:
03:44 10/07 2006
pictureOh well, I'd expect Zidane made sure of NOT getting the Golden Ball award now, eh? :)
Gizmo wrote:
03:55 10/07 2006
picturethe golden ball have kinda been cleared for a long time with Buffon having almost 50% ofthe votes so far :p
Johnnykm wrote:
08:30 10/07 2006
picture

Football looses a big profile when Zidane decides to call it a day. And to comment on the episode which will forever be linked with his retirement I must say that it's a shame that he lost his temper. But I am sure that it took alot of nasty words from Materazzi to make Zidane loose his head and knock him over. But anyway...this years final stage has been very tense and entertaining so I'll say that all of the players should have a great thanks for all the work they have done in this World Cup!!
Zz00000157 wrote:
13:36 10/07 2006
picturezidane got the golden ball :P
Gizmo wrote:
15:05 10/07 2006
picturewell, i guess it was set up then.

like giving him a some threatment for his wound after getting a red card and losing the final.
It's probably to give him the good end on his career.
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