I can't think of a better final than France v. Italy.
The French, faltering, finally got it together, dispatching the over-achieving Spain, the perennially over-rated Brazil, and the over-acting Portugese, with an almost JUST ease. Yes, Henry has sullied his reputation, possibly for ever, with the cheating stuff, but Zidane, having shrugged off his reputation as a fading giant, has rediscovered an almost teenage playfulness which suggests that someone took him to one side and told him to forget the responsibility and play for the sake of it.
Italy, coming in under the radar, despite an incredible unbeaten run, have benefitted from the media's myopia, where the focus has been restricted to the cliched reverence of Brazil, Argentina & Germany. (Except in England, where Sven's over-paid lather-boys were believed capable of winning with naive public devotion alone).
Although they lack a world-class striker, the Azzuri have everything else and they're playing like a side that really has a point to prove. They run, they tackle. They support each other, they're a team and they will win because of it.
Yes, France have Zidane, but he probably had his moment against Brazil. Henry? Actually not that great against real defences, and the Italians have the ultimate defence, even without Nesta.
I hope the Italians don't see the final as reason to rediscover their traditional conservatism. If they approach this game as they have the others in this tournament they can roll the French over. I predict 3-0.
Forza Italia!
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