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I also think that Italy is slightly better, but I hope Les Bleus will win!

The French won their games in a manner of fair play, the Italians did one dive too many for my understanding.

Allez Les Bleus!

And thanks for being our guests!

Oh please, luis ferreira, can't we just move on? why continue that thread on this day of the final..take a leaf from the germans on this blog..serious, funny,informed and a pleasure to read in general.And how can you compare the bbc to the 'sun'? Give it a rest please and lets just enjoy the final....

Back at the 大象传媒 Sport website office in London, we're preparing for a World Cup feast ourselves. Not pork curry and rice, but sausage and chips from the local chippie at Shepherd's Bush. It's our World Cup sign-off supper!

Yes, I would also bet for Italy. Italians are not only good in defence, they can equally play offence, like we saw against Germany. Franch are experienced but Italians are motivated and their only one goal, which they conceded, would be a moral advantage against France. Moreover, the Italians are young and energetic, so if the game goes for extra time, that would be an advantage for the Italians. But there is always 10% luck in the game. So, lets see who will be the world champions.

funny you should mention diving - ribery and henry are guilty of it as well.

But yes, let's set everything aside and enjoy the final. And let's hope no one dives, although i have a sneaky feeling a really big star might just tumble.

Italy for the win.

Although I have a slight personal favour for Italy, I still believe that France will make it. They seem to be a team without weaknesses. In their match against Brasil, I couldn't make out a single mistake. Almost indefeatable.

Why does the European media feel the need to talk down the 2002 World Cup at every opportunity? Ok some the so-called big name nations did not do well at the World Cup but I felt it was a more refreshing tournament. I sensed a real delight amongst the European media the 'traitional superpowers' were back in quarterfinals at this World Cup, but have they served up any more refreshing football than was on offer at World Cup 2002?

Here in Miami, many restaurants have Italian Flags. Let's see what happens. Congradulations on a great blog.

After four long weeks of 2am kickoffs, out here in Thailand we're looking forward to an early 1am start tonight... genuinely don't mind who wins, but would love to see the World Cup 2006 sign off with some memorable goals. Hopefully these 2 big football nations can show us what the game is all about - maybe even convert some of our American friends too!

@Manjit (#7): Yes, there has been a lot more refreshing football at the 2006 world cup compared to 2002. I'll take my own team as an example: Germany made it to the final in 2002 (lost there to Brazil, of course) and this time 'only' took third place, but the way they played was so much... better in virtually every regard. 2002 saw a lot of defense work. And since you asked about refreshing football - that was not it...

Why did the 大象传媒 not show any of the closing ceremony? I am disappointment as this used to be an integral part of coverage of all sporting events on the 大象传媒 in the past.

Message10: @GermanFootballFan

I think you misunderstand me a little bit my point was really that alot of the press seem to think that World Cup in 2002 was poor because teams such as South Korea, Turkey and the USA etc went far. Many journalists have taken great delight in the fact that the so-called world football superpowers are back in the last 8 of this World Cup. But has there been a great improvement in the quality of football? The stats would not back this up.

although not a fan, i watched a great deal of this world cup.... the phony flopping that the italians seem to revel in, is not a good advertisement for this sport... are the referees alway this bad?? Perhaps they could get winter jobs working in the NBA (american)

It is so disturbing that many have been so quick to attack Zinedine Zidane. Likely one of the most gracious, polite and sportsman-like players in professional football/soccer, it is more than obvious to me that he was provoked by Materrazzi with totally unacceptable and unsportsmanlike slurs. As they are known not only for their outstanding diving performances that could win them medals in the Olympic pool, but also for their nasty play on the pitch, I would not be at all surprised if this was a planned scheme by the Italian team when they realised that they were heading for a shootout, in which the talented Zidane would pose a major threat.

I do not condone what Zidane did, but I also do not condone that an obviously highly offensive slur was intentionally and maliciously directed towards him. In my opinion not only should Zidane have been red carded, but Materrazzi, should also have been red carded for his obvious unsportsmanlike and possibly socially unacceptable comment.

I hope that Zidane soon exposes to the world what was said to him that caused his extreme action on the field. Not until then will we know the truth, and not until then will we or the media have the right to attempt to damage his reputation or tar his illustrious career.

If what was said by Materazzi proves to be unacceptable, I trust that the Italian team and all Italian supporters will feel shame for the nasty play with which their player chose to engage himself on the pitch. I also hope that the shame that the World press is aiming at Zidane will also be rightly directed at Materazzi, the Italian team and their supporters for glorifying a tainted