[WC] Italy vs France [09.07.2006] (5 Viewers)

[Azzurri7]

Del Piero eyes French revenge Thursday 6 July, 2006
Alessandro Del Piero is looking forward to making up for the disappointment of Euro 2000 when Italy take on France in the World Cup Final.

Del Piero was depicted as the villain of the piece during the 2000 Final when he wasted two fine chances to double Italy’s lead, before France hit back to snatch the game with a Golden Goal.

“Let’s hope that the evening in Berlin will be one of celebration and happiness,” stated the Juventus No 10 on Thursday.

“Nobody suffered more than me after that Final and pain often remains with you for a longer amount of time than joy.”

Alex, fresh from his goal in the 2-0 win over Germany, is again looking to impress and today took another swipe at his critics.

After being heavily criticised by the Italian media for his performance against Australia, Del Piero was keen to hit back.

“The distortion of reality when it comes down to me is verging on the incredible,” he stated. “People went as far to suggest that I wasn’t even half a player.

“When I step on to the pitch I do so with my head, with my heart and my legs. When all these combine then that is what makes the difference.”

The bookmakers are finding it difficult to find a favourite for the Germany 2006 showdown, but Del Piero has a clear idea.

“France are a great side with many champions. They are the favourites as they are less stressed than us,” he added.

“They have Zinedine Zidane, who is without doubt the number one player. But Sunday is Sunday and anything can happen.”

The Juventus symbol, as expected, was also asked for his opinion on Coach Fabio Capello’s decision to sign for Real Madrid.

“It’s difficult for me to not talk as a Juventino,” he said. “Let me just say that I wasn’t surprised, not at all.”

 

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[Badass J Elkann]

yaaaa damn right ale!

especially wot he said about crapello in the end

 

[Stephan]

i think italy should start with atleast 2 strikers, france defens is solid and imo thats what cost for brazil also, sure france have a good midfield but pirlo can provide those good passes but one striker wont be enough against sagnol-thuram-gallas. supporter is needed.

totti is also worryng me, i hope he doesnt take corners, his cornerkicks are really bad, dp, camo, pirlo instead of him please.

 

[Stephan]

i also have a bad feeling that saha yellow and missing from final is a destiny, cause now france coach just has no other option to play trezeguet as a sub and he hasnt played at all so his eager to score and eager to prove to domenech that he deservs more.

 

[Stephan]

Nesta ruled out of final
Thursday 6th July

Alessandro Nesta's World Cup is over after Italy's team doctor ruled the classy defender out of Sunday's final.

The Milan star has not featured for his country since damaging his groin during Italy's final group game against Czech Republic.

Nesta has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent days and had been training with the squad.

However, after being assessed on Thursday, the Azzurri have taken the view that Sunday's meeting with France will come too soon.

"He's definitely not available," Enrico Castellacci, Italy's team doctor, told reporters on Thursday.

Marco Materazzi has formed a solid central-defensive partnership with Fabio Cannavaro in Nesta's absence and they seem certain to start on Sunday

never count on milanistas i guess

 

[mnementh]

The World Cup Final between Italy and France will be refereed by Argentine Horacio Elizondo, FIFA have said.

The 42-year-old has pipped Germany’s Markus Merk and Lubos Michel of Slovakia for the whistle in Berlin on Sunday.

Elizondo took charge of the opening game of the tournament between Germany and Costa Rica which ended 4-2 in favour of the hosts.

However, the 42-year-old PE teacher left his mark on the tournament by sending off Wayne Rooney in England’s penalty defeat to Portugal.

As usual, Elizondo will be aided by his Argentine assistant referees Dario Garcia and Rodolfo Otero.

The third/fourth place tie on Saturday between Germany and Portugal will be officiated by Toru Kamikawa of Japan.

---
argentine - it's good right ?

 

[Stephan]

could be after all italy kicked germans out

 

[Stephan]

games:

Germany vs. Costa Rica
Czech Republic vs. Ghana
Switzerland vs. South Korea
England vs. Portugal

oh and he has given 2 red cards (ulfaljusi and rooney) totti and gattuso better be carefull

 

[Azzurri7]

not bad i have to say.

 

[Azzurri7]

Argentine ref for Final Thursday 6 July, 2006
The World Cup Final between Italy and France will be refereed by Argentine Horacio Elizondo, FIFA have said.

The 42-year-old has pipped Germany’s Markus Merk and Lubos Michel of Slovakia for the whistle in Berlin on Sunday.

Elizondo took charge of the opening game of the tournament between Germany and Costa Rica which ended 4-2 in favour of the hosts.

However, the 42-year-old PE teacher left his mark on the tournament by sending off Wayne Rooney in England’s penalty defeat to Portugal.

As usual, Elizondo will be aided by his Argentine assistant referees Dario Garcia and Rodolfo Otero.

The third/fourth place tie on Saturday between Germany and Portugal will be officiated by Toru Kamikawa of Japan.

 

[Vinman]

its confirmed: Italia wearing the Azzurri maglia's thank god we havnt worn our white 1 in the whole competition

thank god we dont have to wear those white v- neck shit shirts...

that could have been a jinx all in itself.....

 

[Stephan]

so france will play in white?

 

[swag]

Undoubtedly. And Italy in Azzurri blue.

 

[Stephan]

the thing is though france broke portugal winning period, and also brazil winning period, and guess what, azzurri hasnt lost since 2004 autumn

 

[Sicilian Juve]

Getting back to Alex. i love how the article described him. The Juventus symbol. No better way to say it. Forza Del Piero. Oh and by the way, great fricken goal.

 

[Azzurri7]

Alessandro Del Piero Per Sempre!!!!

 

[kaizer]

Undoubtedly. And Italy in Azzurri blue.

Italy will wear their familiar Azzurri shirt in the World Cup Final against France, FIFA have confirmed today.

Marcello Lippi’s men have been selected as the home team and will therefore force their opponents, who also usually wear blue, to use a white strip for the fourth match running in Germany 2006.

Italy wore blue in the 1998 World Cup Finals penalty loss to France, while they reverted to white when Les Bleus triumphed in the Final of Euro 2000.

 

[baggio]

I think Lippi will start witht he guys that started against Germany, the only change I might make is switching Perotta to the right of midfield and bringing in Daniele De Rossi for Camoranesi and perhaps Nesta for Matrix

I think as good as De Rossi is, his temperament is suspect. And it's not worth taking that risk, especially given Camoranesi has the potential to shine himself. Nesta's unavailability on the other hand could just be a blessing in disguise, given how mature Marto 'The Thug' Materazzi has proven himself to be during his playing time in this tournament. Clearly, this final is going to be played between what I believe to be the most mature teams in the tournament. Both in their style of play and mentality off the pitch. As for Lippi's tactics, I'm favouring a return to the 4-3-1-2. With Totti playing behind Toni/Gila, Toni/Pippo or Toni/Del Piero. France themselves seem to be uncomfortable and slower handling pacy attacks, both down the middle and on the flanks. It would be easy to isolate Henry, but really, the issue is about contending with Vieira, Zidane and Ribery. Going to be one really really tight game as far as I'm concerned. A moment of brilliance is what's going to settle it. 1-0 either way is how I see it.

 

[Brixity]

This is one hell of a worrying game. I wonder what formation and who we'll play. But I trust Lippi's judgement. One thing I honestly think we have to resolve is the attack issue coz Toni will struggle IMO if he plays upfront alone against a more resolue team like France ( Look at phantom Pauleta). He needs a partner striker but how can we do that without compromising a thin midfield. I really really wonder what Lippi will gow with coz he can also bring in DDR

 

[Stephan]

i wouldnt play de rossi, this is final, and the kid hasnt played at all, and let him against zidane and vieira means he will fail imo.