[Lord of Salvation]

Ok so its official. Italy vs France this sunday, and on a minor not the consolation third place game is saturday between Germany and Portugal.

Neither team should be too exhausted, but Italy more so than France after going 120+ minutes, but they also have one more day of rest than France.

So after a fairly lame game between France and Portugal I am really looking forward to the final.

*NOTES*

Italy absolutely dominates posession against whomever they play against, and France got dominated by Portugal but managed to squeak through.

France are very succectiable to Counter Attacks and that is where Italy excels.

France as I have said before only ever get 2 or 3 shots on goal during the run of play. Against Portugal they got a measley 1 but the ever important Penalty. But Italy have the best defense in the tournament, and France has a stingy defense as well.

But France have Zizu, and to put it straight the man is on FIRE. He is absolutely wreaking havoc for defenders. Imagine your last game of your career is the WC final.

What I am not looking forward to are all the dives. Italy are the worst and France are a close second, especially Henry. What a hipocrite he looked to dive every time he got the ball today. He's got way too much skill to fall to the ground and lounge there looking for the foul and complaining.

*PREDICTION*

Italy 0 - France 0

This one goes to penalties, and I have italy advancing 4-3.

Italy historically are among the worst penalty takers, but I only have them the victors because I dont feel France are worthy to win despite how much I love Zidane. I feel France barely got this far and unjustly so, I am impressed with Riberry and Zizu of course but no one else.

*EDIT*

oops I totally forgot about the 3rd place game, LoL.

Well I feel Germany will give it their all because they have their fans to play for being on home turf and all.

And Portugal really have nothing to play for I feel.

*PREDICTION*

Germany 2 - Portugal 0

[Anomander]

I'm going for France on this one. The few players they have who are actually making a difference will edge then ahead just enough to win. Although, it's going to be really close.

[Mulch]

Italy to win 2 or 3 goals to nil, France are a poor, ageing side.

Germany will hammer the Portugese for third place.

[Asandir]

France will not win. No chance. Why you ask, one word...Cannavaro!!!
Italy win 2 - 0

[Mezla PigDog]

Forza Azzurri

I can't stand Zidane and have really enjoyed watching Cannavaro this tournament.

[Lord of Salvation]

Lily said:

C.Ronaldo is a great football player (and cute) but he's too an actor , that makes him less classy , which is sad .

I guess you havent watched Thierry Henry at all this WC. Every time he gets the ball he looks to dive. Quite sad considering he is a world class player and all. Shouldnt stoop to such low levels.

I really cant see Zizu making a difference on his own. Sure him Ribery and Henry are playing very well, but Italy just doesnt concede goals.

The only knock on Italy is that their Offence has some trouble scoring.

And come on Barthez as a great keeper, you make me laugh. Did you see him muck up that Ronaldo free kick. He just threw it in the air and almost cost them their lead if it wasnt for the old timer Figo ruining a blessed chance.

They should put Coupet in instead. But anyway EURO 06 half their team will be gone. Maka, Zizu, Thuram, Sagnol, maybe Gallas, Barthez.

[Folken]

*continues to wave German flag even though they go owned*

[Raymond Luxury Yacht]

*quietly folds American flag and hopes the rest of the world didn't notice the debacle that was the U.S. World Cup experience*

Hopefully next time we can win one, at least.....

[Tsundoku]

Bah, who cares now? Italy or France, talk about a Devils' alternative.

And thank you to the scheduling tossers who had a whole weekend to put 2 games on, yet they put the bloody final on when people on this side of the world are about to get up and go to work. Good one, you $&^^&$#&#&.

Go Germany in the third place playoff. Blitzkrieg those diving Portugese! And kick them when they're down ...

@Fool
You being the stats boy, were there less goals scored overall in this WC compared to last 2, or is it just my poor perceptions?

Cheers,

La Sombra, also saw his team lose in the State of Origin (Australian Rugby League), and will watch the Wallabies (probably) lose against the All Blacks (Rugby Union) tonight. It's been a crappy fortnight for my teams.

[Lord of Salvation]

No there have been a shortage of goals this WC pretty severely so actually. But thats what happens when the run of play is stopped so frequently due to cards being issued.

The 3rd place game it seems neither team will give it their all. But Ollie Kahn should see the pitch and get a fareway tribute for the Home fans.

I will watch both none the less.

As for the "American Experience" it definitely asserts that the FIFA rankings will be discarded. But now the players cant act like premadonnas, they actually have to put in work. None of the players have enough skill or class to take over a game themselves.

[No-God]

I see Italy handling France relatively easily. Playing the Czech Republic and Germany, and not conceding a single goal from either of them makes me figure that France won't score, either.

[Lord of Salvation]

But the question is can they score?

I dont believe Italy will conced a goal during the run of pay, as a matter of fact I believe only a penalty is how to break that back line.

But France are solid at the back as well, and Italy are not notorious for scoring this WC.

[Malarion]

If I remember right, the Italians have scored 11 goals so far (12 if you count the own-goal), which ain't that bad. They've scored in every game. So to say they're struggling up front is wrong. They have also been the only team to score against themselves, so they ain't leaking any goals either.

France, however, have scored only 8 goals, and lost 2. So on that, Italy are clear favourites. And, to my opinion, they've dealt with a team that looked better than France already (germany).

So what that France beat Brazil. A more over-rated team I've never seen. Kaka is poor more than not for Milan. Adriano was poor for Inter. Ronaldo is now hated by Real fans. Carlos is past it. Ronaldinho is skilled beyond belief, but effective? And Spain were over-hyped and bottlers as usual.

I reckon Itlay should win this, though I think it'll be low scoring.