World Cup Update V - The Final
We went 13 of 16 on the knockout round qualifiers. Sweet 16, 5 of 8. Great 8, 3 of 4, Semi's 2 of 2. The record is 23 of 30. As predicted France and Italy came through to the final, here goes for the Final.
France defeated Portugal on a questionable penalty kick. The French defense kept Portugals attack at bay, while their offense pounded, but could not overcome a weak Portugese back line. How will they fare against the solid Italian backline?
Italy played the waiting game, hitting the goalposts twice and putting two in the net to oust a tired German team in overtime.
The Italian defense was solid as always, while the offense lacked the finishing touch until the opponent wearied. How will they fare against the mid field ball control and fastbreak offense of the French?
In the 1998 quarterfinal, HOME team France outlasted Italy on penalty kicks, going on to win the Final vs. Brazil.
This final will be a redux of that game and the Euro 2000 final held in Rotterdam, with a twist. Prior to the Euro 2000 final, the Italians had outlasted an excellent HOME Dutch side.
Against France, Italy had the lead going into the final minute of recovery time, when the French struck in stunning fashion to tie. In the overtime, the French struck again to take the European Cup.
In this Cup, the Italians have displayed depth and balance by using all their outfield players on the way to the final. Only Oddo & Inzaghi have played under 100 minutes while 10 Italians have combined for 11 goals.
The French still have 3 players unused and 9 players under 100 minutes. Only four players have combined for 8 goals (Henry 3, Zidane & Vieira 2 each , Ribery 1) with one player scoring almost half of them.
This French side are basically the same team that won in 1998 and Euro 2000. The Italian side has almost been completely made over with players culled from the youth program over the last eight years.
The aging French goalkeeper Barthez has been an "adventure" to watch coming off his line. Against the Italians this behaviour is ill advised.
The Italian triad of Cannavaro, Zambrotta and Gattuso (the Snarling Dog) should contain Henry and break the mid field ball handling rhythm of Zidane, Vieira and Ribery.
In this final, the differences will be the age and stamina of the French side, as a lack of depth leading to the final will test their legs as the game wears on.
Ultimately, youth blended with experience, fresher legs, a balanced counterattack and stout defense will keep the Italian defensive shutout intact (1 own goal vs USA).
We foresee a 1-0 or 2-0 result, which could take a late score and overtime to acheive. Italy over France.
France defeated Portugal on a questionable penalty kick. The French defense kept Portugals attack at bay, while their offense pounded, but could not overcome a weak Portugese back line. How will they fare against the solid Italian backline?
Italy played the waiting game, hitting the goalposts twice and putting two in the net to oust a tired German team in overtime.
The Italian defense was solid as always, while the offense lacked the finishing touch until the opponent wearied. How will they fare against the mid field ball control and fastbreak offense of the French?
In the 1998 quarterfinal, HOME team France outlasted Italy on penalty kicks, going on to win the Final vs. Brazil.
This final will be a redux of that game and the Euro 2000 final held in Rotterdam, with a twist. Prior to the Euro 2000 final, the Italians had outlasted an excellent HOME Dutch side.
Against France, Italy had the lead going into the final minute of recovery time, when the French struck in stunning fashion to tie. In the overtime, the French struck again to take the European Cup.
In this Cup, the Italians have displayed depth and balance by using all their outfield players on the way to the final. Only Oddo & Inzaghi have played under 100 minutes while 10 Italians have combined for 11 goals.
The French still have 3 players unused and 9 players under 100 minutes. Only four players have combined for 8 goals (Henry 3, Zidane & Vieira 2 each , Ribery 1) with one player scoring almost half of them.
This French side are basically the same team that won in 1998 and Euro 2000. The Italian side has almost been completely made over with players culled from the youth program over the last eight years.
The aging French goalkeeper Barthez has been an "adventure" to watch coming off his line. Against the Italians this behaviour is ill advised.
The Italian triad of Cannavaro, Zambrotta and Gattuso (the Snarling Dog) should contain Henry and break the mid field ball handling rhythm of Zidane, Vieira and Ribery.
In this final, the differences will be the age and stamina of the French side, as a lack of depth leading to the final will test their legs as the game wears on.
Ultimately, youth blended with experience, fresher legs, a balanced counterattack and stout defense will keep the Italian defensive shutout intact (1 own goal vs USA).
We foresee a 1-0 or 2-0 result, which could take a late score and overtime to acheive. Italy over France.
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