July 5, 2006

Italy & France in the final

Nice to see the French get to the final. My heart was with Germany on the other side, but my head thought the Italians would get through, and they did.

I can't believe the Portugese flopping around the pitch like fish out of water! It was ridiculous! Well done to the Uruguay referee for calling a sensible match.

And he was the one that did the Italy-USA game earlier in the tournament. The Yank commentators then were saying "oh, we're not going to see this referee again." Shows what they know. These were the same guys who thought the direct red card given to a Yank in that game was the wrong call; well, that US player was suspended for 3 games by FIFA afterwards, indicating that a red card was more than deserved for that two footed tackle.

I don't know who's going to win the final. I want France to win, because I'm a France fan, and definitely not an Italian fan. Yet it will a difficult match for both sides.

I say there's a slight edge up front to Italy, as they have more strikers, an edge in midfield to France, as Zidane has been brilliant, an edge to Italy at the back and in net, as Italy is always strong at the back, and Buffon is the best keeper in the world. France was good at the back today, and Barthez was competent, aside from a muffed catch that didn't cost them. He'll have to be better on Sunday.

Should be a great game.

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