T1B

As Nish mentioned in the other thread, the two teams faced each other in the Euro 2000 Final. At the time, the "golden goal" was in effect, meaning sudden death OT.

Italy was up 1-0 and was trying to just hang on, with France on the attack for much of the second half. They finally got the equalizer late in regulation, then scored again with only seconds left in OT.

It was a classic example of a team (Italy, in this case), playing simply not to lose, instead of attacking, and they paid for it, dearly. Not to take away anything from Italy's marvelous goals on Tuesday, but in 2000, they did sort of like what Germany did late in OT in Tuesday's game.

France is, without a doubt, the story of this tournament. Few, if any, thought they could reach the quarterfinals, much less beat Brazil. And even the most myopic "Les Bleus" French fan would no way in HELL have predicted this team -- with a handful of crusty veterans mixed with young players -- in the Final.

Forget about the country and just look at the players on the field. And how this team started gaining momentum after the first round.

Right now the French look to be a team of destiny. Unless there's an injury to a key player, it's difficult to see them losing the Final.

I'll call a repeat of the Euro 2000 Final: France 2, Italy 1, in OT.

If France can pull this off, Zidane will go down as one of the greatest players in history ... approaching Pele's status, imo.

Italy's defense has been staunch and Canavarro has been the player of the tournament. They haven't given up a goal to an opposing player yet and ther is no reason to expect they will in this game.

Italy 2 France 0

See You Next Wednesday wrote:Italy's defense has been staunch.

Italy 2 France 0

Yeah, I guess an entire game, no, tournament of playing keep away could be called staunch. I hate the way those greg looseanus divers play, but, seeing as they are playing the frogs, and I am half dago all I can say is I hope the azzurri put a serious beatdown on them frenchie faggits.

See You Next Wednesday wrote:They haven't given up a goal to an opposing player yet and ther is no reason to expect they will in this game.

Yes, it's precisly because they haven't given up a goal to an opposing player that they're due. Besides, had there been another ref on the field, the U.S. would have officially scored on them. :wink:

RadioFan wrote: Right now the French look to be a team of destiny. Unless there's an injury to a key player, it's difficult to see them losing the Final.

I'll call a repeat of the Euro 2000 Final: France 2, Italy 1, in OT.

If France can pull this off, Zidane will go down as one of the greatest players in history ... approaching Pele's status, imo.

I agree with you on Zidane. Win this and he goes from the second tier of greatest players of all time; Cruyff-Benkenbauer status, to the top tier with Pele and Maradona.

I think Italy is the team of destiny though. An opposing team has not scored on them, and their offense hasn't been this good since the Baggio days. Apart from the USA and Australia games, they have played brilliantly. The 2000 team knew they were out-manned against both Holland (shameful effort by Italy, shameful penalty taking by the Dutch) and France. This team is playing with more confidence and is more comfortable going forward. France conceded many chances to Portgugal today and I expect Italy to capitalise on a few.

2-0 Azzuri.

Q, West Coast Style wrote:I agree with you on Zidane. Win this and he goes from the second tier of greatest players of all time; Cruyff-Benkenbauer status, to the top tier with Pele and Maradona.

I think Italy is the team of destiny though. An opposing team has not scored on them, and their offense hasn't been this good since the Baggio days. Apart from the USA and Australia games, they have played brilliantly. The 2000 team knew they were out-manned against both Holland (shameful effort by Italy, shameful penalty taking by the Dutch) and France. This team is playing with more confidence and is more comfortable going forward. France conceded many chances to Portgugal today and I expect Italy to capitalise on a few.

2-0 Azzuri.

Interesting. I don't agree with parts of it, but RACK that take.

I hate both teams, but the disgusting flopping fish of Italy must go down....I'm sure they'll twist and moan on the ground like they do every match. Pathetic. Their game of soccer is just terrible. Faced with two evils France or Italy, I'll take......

The Gators aren't in it, T Rex.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:The Gators aren't in it, T Rex.

Hey, if Duke could send their best basketball players and FSU could send their best football players, it would be one GREAT game.

-- Cicero

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:The Gators aren't in it, T Rex.

No....I'm going for the hairy stinky french over the greasy fish floppers.

RadioFan wrote:

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:The Gators aren't in it, T Rex.

Hey, if Duke could send their best basketball players and FSU could send their best football players, it would be one GREAT game.

-- Cicero

RAC...errr...wait a minute..


Zidane is unreal. Too bad he's a Frenchie...

Italy 0-0(4-3) in a huge game of keep away from the tall, bald frog with precision feet. Man, I hate France but that guy is hard to cheer against...

I'll leave the analytical predictions to you guys.

I've got some Italian lineage, so I'm pulling for them: Italy 1 France 0

Since im 100% Italia im going with them. There D is sick and they know how to score when need be. If you look back at this tourney so far they have one goal against them and it was from within.

That being said I hate the frogs but Henry is my all time favorite phootball player.

Imma be wearing my Totti jersey all week!

Italy 3 Frogs 1!

Rack Zi he is a warriot but Azzurri will prevail!

Zyclone, why the fuck do you have a link to your myspace website on here? Do you think all the 40somethings here are really interested in checking out your "stats" and viewing pics of your "bros"?

I thought the only purpose of that site was to lure 12 year olds to super 8 motels.

Fucking amazing matchup, for who isn't there as much as who is.

France, although stuttering through the group, have taken out Spain, Brazil and Portugal - all in 90 minutes, and arguably the hardest knockout sequence since Italy did for Brazil, Argentina and West Germany (the last three winners, for fuck's sake) in '82. I totally agree that Zidane is on the verge of joining Pele and Maradona.

Italy, who are undergoing absolute crisis in their domestic league, have been Quiet Storm, and are peaking right about now.

I want France to win, for the storyline. I think Italy will win it, because they're just too good. I don't care who actually does, as long as it's a classic.

And let's not forget that most of the Italian team might be playing for their jobs on Sunday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 150352.stm

This is the matchup that will be great to see. The Euro 200 game was a classic. I cannot think of 2 teams that I hate more. That being said, I have to go with the French.

1-0

I'd like to see the obligatory 90 minutes plus OT of nil-nil keep away followed by the dreaded PKs during which an enormous lightning bolt strikes the pitch, killing everyone.

Though I have some Italian lineage, Italy has met its match. Zidane is playing out of his head.

France 1 Italy 0

Italy completes the tournament shutout...1-0 over France. Totti will get the goal.

Portugal over Germany 2-1 in the third place game...the Krauts won't recover from Tuesday's loss.

Won't France just surrender?

Just sayin'.

But if Harv says the French, then who am I to argue with him when he has been so right on in predicting these things.

Left Seater wrote:Won't France just surrender?

Nahhh, they'll just try to get the guineas to switch sides half way through the match.

Here's a good URL for updates;

http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup ... 48,00.html

YESSSSSSSS!

The best thing that could happen.

Certainly is!

Thanks for the link, much better than the technicalese fifa's official site uses.

EQUALISER!

This is a corking game, thank God.

a powerful game, this sahkah. Even has the board heathen, nish, finding religion.

Christ, if England were in the final, he'd be speaking in tongues.

Heh.

We need another France goal before half-time.

Nothing like watching the Spanish feed...they are showing the crowd doing the wave...that was fresh in.....oh 1984

Wow. Fan Smack.

Actually, I'm inclined to agree with you. That's what happens when you have a massive ticket allocation for corporate cunts.

Italy is dominant on set pieces ( as long as Totti is not taking them),I can't see them giving up another goal and as France seems to tire as the game goes on their one hope is to take it to penalties. Sub out totti for de piero and Italy wins it in 90. I wish there was a way they both could lose though.

Yeah, agreed. Zizou and Henry are gonna have to carry France from here on in.

Where is the penalty on that?!?

Henry is finally playing like he does for Arsenal. This game is hotting up nicely.

Nishlord wrote:Wow. Fan Smack.

Actually, I'm inclined to agree with you. That's what happens when you have a massive ticket allocation for corporate cunts.

Here in the colonies, we have skyboxes to keep the CCs seperate from the actual paying fans. You ought to look into it.

Totally agree. We have 'executive boxes', but not enough of 'em.

Zidane is still playing???

Taking lessons from the WWF Zidane?

Geez, how brutal.

...or not, that was ridiculous. Props to the italian video crew for that and getting Frings kicked out for the Germans.

They showed the play on the jumbotron before the officials ruled on it? DUMB