2006 Fifa World Cup Final: France vs Italy

FIFA 2006 World Cup Final: Italy vs. France
by Nila Amerova

As football fans across continents countdown to the final day of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany the all important answer to the question of who will raise the cup is almost upon us.


What a month it has been! From June 9th, 2006 the whole world has been looking to Germany, watching history in the making. There was sorrow; there was joy. There was silence in the streets; there was rejoicing and dancing in the streets. Dreams were realized; dreams were crushed. But most importantly the world was united, - united in its common passion for the sport. For the World Cup is the story of players, teams and nations taking it to the highest levels; the story of national pride valiantly defended on the world stage; the story of individual feats of brilliance and the majestic harmony in motion of teams united in their quest for the world’s most coveted prize of all in football; and the story of common promise, hope, and honor that unites common people around the world. This is the beautiful game of football. This is the World Cup, the tournament of tournaments.

With only three sleeps left before the entire world comes to a standstill and turns to the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the anticipation is unbelievable. Oh, what a day it shall be! What a finale it shall be! For on July 9th, 2006 the truth will finally set us free! So may the best national team win!

So how will this story go? Will it be the story of the Italians, who in the wake of a match-fixing scandal back home defied all the odds against them and came to Germany to realize their boy-hood dreams? Or will it be the greatest World Cup story ever told, a poignant tale of the French and the surreal ending to the perfect career of the celebrated man, the legend, the revered - Zinedine Zidane?

It is almost with a sense of déjà vu that the 2006 FIFA World Cup final between France and Italy approaches - an uncanny feeling of having already seen or experienced this momentous match, this defining moment, between Italy and France. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup, France, chancing upon Italy in the quarter-finals, defeated them on penalty kicks and advanced to the finals. In a thrilling 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final, where Zinedine Zidane scored two of the three goals, France would raise the World Cup. At the 2000 Euro Cup semi-finals, with three minutes left in extra-time, a Zinedine Zidane inspired penalty kick beat Portugal to set-up a final against Italy. The French rallied to defeat Italy 2-1 and this time France would raise the Euro Cup.

A story already told? Perhaps, it will be a sequel? Or, will there be a new story told? No matter which story will be written, France vs. Italy will be a match that both teams will play with their hearts, minds and souls. It will be passionate; it will be full of grace. A must see for all soccer fans worldwide and for soccer betting enthusiasts whose love for the beautiful game will be that much more enhanced by the thrill of betting on the World Cup Final. So let’s take a look at the world cup odds that are already in full-swing at BetUS.com.

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France (+190) vs. Italy (+155) - The final match is so delicately poised, that Italy is only marginally favored on the money line. The three-time World Cup champion, Italy, will be seeking their fourth title. The last time the Azzuri won, it was 1982 and largely on the heels of Paolo Rossi’s performance. This time around, the Azzuri have frolicked into the finals on the heels of a match-fixing scandal plaguing its four top teams: AC Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio, - for which 13 out of the 23 national team members play professionally. Despite their disgrace, they have united as a team and produced arguably their best World Cup run in 24 years. The Italians are young and enthusiastic, and while they bring a lot of passion to their game, they distinctly play as a united team. A fact most notably highlighted by the goals being spread-out amongst their team members. The back defense-line, lead by Captain Fabio Cannavaro, has been impenetrable and save for the own goal off of Zambrotta’s leg, Buffon has yet to allow a goal. The mid-field and strikers have combined to create relentless opportunities for the attack. On paper, Italy looks good; on the field they look even better. But does this mean that the Azzuri have enough “Forza” to win this match? On the odds for Italy to win the World Cup they are the favorites at (-140). However, on the money line to win the match in regulation time, they opened at (+150) but have since been moved to (+155).

Les Bleus were in all accounts by the professional “obituary’s” written off in the Group stage as a tired and over-the-hill squad; Zinedine Zidane was likened to an apparition, an aging warrior blind to the realities of his advanced years; and France condemned for her loyalty, would rue the day it dared to bring back to the international stage her old hero “Zizou.” So they said. So they said.

But, how wrong were they! So gloriously and utterly wrong! For on July 9th, 2006, Berlin and the world will witness an epic battle between France and Italy; an historic moment as the very grace and magical skills of Zinedine Zidane will determine what script is told forevermore. Should France win the World Cup, tipped at (+110) the curtain will fall on one of the most beautiful World Cup stories ever.

Every great athlete yearns for such a dramatic finish, and no sport was more in need of a hero than the world of football. After Maradona’s fall from grace, due to drug addiction, the world of football was left bereft. Until now, for finally the world can claim a footballer that will not only leave at the pinnacle of his career, but leave in a state of grace with dignity and honor.

France set to make its second appearance in a World Cup final with six players from the 1998 World Cup champion’s team will arrive in Berlin as the marginal underdogs, opening on the money line (+190). After a shaky start, they gradually improved as they progressed through the World Cup, finally coming up with a win over Spain that held promise, becoming the ideal back-drop for their inspiring victory over Brazil. In the semi-final match that weaved its script around Zinedine Zidane, his penalty shot proved to be the death penalty to Portugal’s World Cup sojourn.

Clearly, France and Italy are evenly matched as both of them have a strong defense back-line, creative mid-fielders and formidable strikers. Italy has the slight advantage with goalkeeper Buffon. He is without a doubt one of the world’s best goalkeepers. But in spite of Italy’s advantage between the posts, I pick France to win this match because Zinedine Zidane combined with the attacking force of Henry Thierry, Frank Ribery, Patrick Vieira, Sylvan Wiltord and David Trezeguet, France can find the Achilles heel in the Italian defense; I pick France to win this match because Zinedine Zidane plays football in a dimension of his own, a hope that for most footballers is just wishful fancy; I pick France to win this match because I believe in the dream of greatness, in the dream that is Zizou, and it is with great anticipation that I, along with the rest of the world, will watch this dream unfold!

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