Italy vs France

This is about the hardest to call..

Based on each teams road to the final, on paper, Italy look like they could win it. They also have the advantage of having a days rest.

However, this is Zidane's last World Cup game, his last International Game, and what better way to end one's carrier than to be in the final of the world's greatest tournament, and better still to win it.

Italy probably are the fitter side. You just need to look at the Semi Final with Germany, and also their amazing defence.

France's last two games are reminiscent of Euro 2000: france beating portugal - deciding goal was a Zidane penalty in both cases, Trezeguet being a substitute (looks like he'll be coming on for the final as a substitute) - he scored the winning goal in Euro 2000... , with wiltord providing the assist (then i was anti-France especially after the Portugal elimination).. De ja vu...

Thierry Henry has this penchant of scoring goals against Italians (champions league)... I suspect he'll be on the score sheet this time round. Thuram, Viera and Trezeguet play for Juventus, and Henry, Zidane have played for Juventus before. All these players know each other inside out.

Both defences are extremely good (france though have the temperament of Barthez to watch out for)

this is a hard one to call... but i think i'll go for an Italy win in extra time.

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Italy vs France

This is about the hardest to call..

Based on each teams road to the final, on paper, Italy look like they could win it. They also have the advantage of having a days rest.

However, this is Zidane's last World Cup game, his last International Game, and what better way to end one's carrier than to be in the final of the world's greatest tournament, and better still to win it.

Italy probably are the fitter side. You just need to look at the Semi Final with Germany, and also their amazing defence.

France's last two games are reminiscent of Euro 2000: france beating portugal - deciding goal was a Zidane penalty in both cases, Trezeguet being a substitute (looks like he'll be coming on for the final as a substitute) - he scored the winning goal in Euro 2000... , with wiltord providing the assist (then i was anti-France especially after the Portugal elimination).. De ja vu...

Thierry Henry has this penchant of scoring goals against Italians (champions league)... I suspect he'll be on the score sheet this time round. Thuram, Viera and Trezeguet play for Juventus, and Henry, Zidane have played for Juventus before. All these players know each other inside out.

Both defences are extremely good (france though have the temperament of Barthez to watch out for)

this is a hard one to call... but i think i'll go for an Italy win in extra time.

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France vs Portugal II

this game was rather boring to be honest. If only I was sleepy like the previous Semi.

I suspect both teams were playing below their potential, until the last 15 or so minutes, due to perhaps fatigue and at the same time wanting to conserve energy.

But 100% correct predictions for the SEMIS for me.. :)

I suspect Italy will win this World Cup, but you never know. Zidane could just decide to make his last international game something to remember.

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France vs Portugal

yesterday:

I slept through most of the Germany vs Italy game....

I think i must have been kinda tired.. or was it just a boring game until extra time ? :) .. called it quits at 90 minutes only to hear that I missed the goals... anyway 100% win predictions correct so far...(out of 1 :) )

now todays game is kinda tricky to predict...

If Brazil couldn't break down that french defence, and portugal have had issues infront of goal.. I wonder if Portugal can actually hack this one...

Portugal has allegedly ronaldo & figo doubtful - well i think they are 100% fit..

Zidane will be key to france as always.. and henry simply has to stay onside for 20% of the time.. :) ... Abidal has really impressed at left back... as has gallas in the centre... in essence, the french are hitting form..

Portugal's main worry should be their apparent lack of potency infront of goal....
Hopefully this should end if they are to gain some form of vengeance against the french (remember zidane's extra time 'golden penalty' - i've never felt more 'gutted' after a soccer game)..

I suspect france will have the upper hand... and this could be a one goal game ( much as i want portugal to lift the trophy)

france win 1-0 in regulation time.

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Germany vs Italy

On paper, it is not my idea of an interesting match.

However, Germany with Klinsmann as Coach have rediscovered how to play exciting and attacking soccer. I doubt they'll play this way against the Italians, who are quite content to sit back and hit on the break. Considering that the only goal that they've let in so far in the final was an own goal, they'll be a tough nut to crack. Ukraine rattled their crossbar in the quarters, so there's a chance that they could concede.

I don't think that Germany's defence was really tested by Argentina, who were content to sit back and defend a one goal lead, and to my great disappointed opted not to play Messi.

If Italy score first, the game will be set up quite nicely.

I think this is a one goal game, and could go to extra time & penalties if no goals are scored.

I think either team could win this. Germany have gained a lot of confidence since conceding two goals against Costa Rica, but the last time these two met (March this year), Germany lost 4-1 with almost the same squad. Let's see if things have changed.

Prediction: Italy WIN 2-1 in full time

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