大象传媒

italy is going to win the cup..see the defence no one is able to break it.it has a good forward also..even if france makes it to final..the old horses cannot break their defence it will be 2-1 for italy..

How about German referee Robert "call me Robby" Heyser and the Croatian mafia ring ? Would it have been a "travesty of justice" if Germany had won the Cup ? By the way, no Italian players (and for that matter no foreign players playing in Italy) are implied in the Serie A scandal.

Truth is, Germany has cleaned up its act and punished the culprits, and Italy is doing the same. Both countries deserve credit for cleaning up their act and should be held as an example if anything.

of course not!

So long as we have a beautiful game of football and a good performance by the referee, it is all about the 22 players on the field on Sunday. I do look forward tso seeing Juventus and AC Milan when they come to play at Barnet next season.

But on Sunday, may the best team win!

I was under the impression that Buffon, the goalkeeper, was involved in the scandal and that police did investigate his match betting experiences, but I think he has virtually been aquited.

Still, no, it would not be a travesty if Italy won. Not only because the scandal doesn't really involve the team and players, but also because they have been the most consistant team along with Germany.

France have been inconsitant, and even with Henry only one striker will not break down by far the best defence in the competition, which perhaps alone deserves to win the trophy.

The great problem is that if Italy DOES win, it could soften the decisions of the judges back in their home country. Nobody would allow World Cup winners to play in lower divisions.

What I hope will happen is that they will all seek clubs elsewhere and let the cheating teams go down.

But I sincerely hope France wins on Sunday, for the honour of the game - they saw off the divers of Portugal and did the Dutch and the English a favour. Now they need to do the same for world football.

Since there are no allegations that there has been foul play by the referees during the WC, an Italian victory on Sunday would be justified. Italy is a stronghold on the defense and, yes, they can attack too (if they want). So if Italy should be the winner (and that is my guess), they won it fair and square ! Let's hope for an exciting and fair game...

I really hope France win on Sunday, but they really did look tired against a shockingly bad Portuguese side that had no ideas up front. Pauleta was simply dreadful - how he has chalked up a goal every two games or so is a mystery; they must have been scored against the deaf and blind.

Much as I have to give credit to Italy for their positive display in Dortmund, part of me now cannot get the ideo out of my head that we were less than two minutes away from doing the impossible and winning the whole thing. Yesterday saw the real final, and unless France can get back with the pace and verve the showed against Brazil they'll get torn apart. That is of course if the Italians do not revert back to the sort of game we saw in the earlier rounds.

I am now hoping for a decent final, and for Germany to round off their own marvellous show by whipping the Portuguese diving squad on Saturday.

I was willing to cut Ronaldo some slack, but he took playacting to new heights this evening. It really ruined the fact that he was the best Portuguese player on the park by a distance.

Oh please for the honour of the game, get a life. If Italy win it it will be because they will deserve it. For too look the English media have been anti-Italian football, too negative they said. (England take note, you bored me to tears) Italy have shown they are true class. A defence like no other, attacking and compelling. As for France, well Henry has hardly covered himself in glory. Italy may have play for the penalty against Australia, but Henry's action's against Spain, trying to get Puyol sent off, going down clutching his face, rolling about in agony when his chest was brushed if we can even say that tells me France are as bad as Portugal. And tonight Henry was already going to ground before the tackle even came in. For the good of the game Raymond, give it a rest.

The funny thing is that with an Italy-France match on Sunday, Juventus ends up being the club with the most players in the World Cup final... 8 (all, with the probable exception of Del Piero, thinking about where they'll play next!). And that's not counting the "ex" Juventinos (4 more, 6 if you include Lippi and Ferrara). Did they REALLY need to fix matches with some much quality on the bench??? As a Juve follower I feel a bit cheated (although probably not as much as an Interista!).

Anyway... Forza Azzurri! (lets hope for the silver lining). And we hope for some Juventus-Napoli classics next season in serie B (if we're only so lucky).

OK Anthony, Therry Henry did do a few extras to get the Spanish in trouble, but nothing like the team effort the Portuguese did in the Holland game, nor Ronaldo's one-man-victim show against the English.

whatever happens in their italian domestic leaugue is their business, it has nothing to do with the world cup, they appear to be the better team after the semis, beating germany at home with the entire stadium against them was a monumental task, after witnessing that, I would like to see Italy win the cup, France have had their day, and they have not played as well in this tournament as Italy. I wonder if the Italians have fabricated the entire match fixing scandal at home to inspire their team to greater heights!, if so, its appeared to work wonderfully.
Some of the comments I have read about the portuguese from english supporters are disgracefull, england supporters, you are not doing yourselves any favours carrying on like that!, you lost to portugal on penalties!, thats tough, but please, stop with the shameful anti portuguese talk!, england is better than that!

Italy deserve to win and will, if the Ref doesn't buy the Henry diving show.
It is a pity TH didn't get to play England because MOTD only notices divers playing THEIR team!

Italy shouldn't even be in the tournament by now. First Grossos flip against Australia, then they get Frings barred and all this is backed up with a serie A scandal. It would be a win with a sour taste and with a completely wrong message:

use all things possible to win, even if you have to cheat your way to the finals

uh. please no.

Absolute drivel, we've had the odd football scandal in this country as well ( not on the same scale), in France and in Germany too.
We have to remember that the much slandered Totti, along with others has denounced the Juve system for years suffering bans and and being sued, so credit to him.
After all the nasty things that have been said about them they proved that they are an absolute smashing bunch of players, I'm delighted that they're in the Final and even though I really like the France squad too, I really hope to see Cannavaro lift the trophy.
Maybe we should have a scandal in our country, it might motivate our players who, let's face it, were pathetic to say the least.

Italy shouldn't even be in the tournament by now. First Grossos flip against Australia, then they get Frings barred and all this is backed up with a serie A scandal. It would be a win with a sour taste and with a completely wrong message:

use all things possible to win, even if you have to cheat your way to the finals

uh. please no.

Of course it would be just. What a ridiculous question. Football is won on the field of play, and it would be even more deserved after all the players have had to put up with. Lets get one thing clear out of the 25 people being prosecuted, this includes no players. This world cup has been a chance to bring credibility into our game and i think we are doing that. The Championship and the National team should be kept apart. And as for people calling us lucky and cheats after the Australia game lets me get something ironed out. Materazzi's wrongful red card (real lucky) was the reason we got put in such a vulnerable position in the first place. And i think the penalty was deserved. Every1 knows that if a player falls over in front of an attacking player in the box u are asking for trouble. It was clear obstruction and if u remember the pace that Grosso was travelling at it was impossible to go round O'neill to regain the ball. Australia brought the penalty on themselves. Also it was real lucky that our main talisman Totti broke his ankle 3 months b4 the world cup and has been playing at 50% fitness?

Give italy the respect they deserve please.

I really wish I could understand this anti-Italian sentiment, yes Grosso's fall over Neil was theatrical; but the Italians were down to ten men (unjustly) and it could very well be argued Neil went to ground precisely to obstruct Grosso - funny that the Australian seemed perfectly able to turn around to see what happened to his right but not actually get up. The Italians had six shots on goal, the Australians two - the Italians were by far the better team, and the ref made a mistake that favoured Italy - this happens and is called good luck for the winning team and bad luck for the loosing team - luck is overrided by strong teams - which Australia is not because it couldn't score with a man advantage. And let's not talk about the theatrical ten-yard tumble Aloisi made in an attempt to get a penalty; I say good riddance to a team that did not progress to the World Cup because its talented but simply on physicality and fitness (like all technically inept sides Hiddink coaches). Aside from the simple 3-0 win over the Ukraine, Italy defeated the hosts with 95% of the crowd against them not by rigid defensive measures and counter-attacks but by open, passing, attacking football which Germany attempted to match but could not - Italy went for it in the last few minutes - but do they get kudos for it from the English press? No - clearly they didn't deserve to beat the Germans; the subjectivity and bias in the British media is offensive, and the 大象传媒 has not been any better - I wish the English would stop preaching about their 'honesty, hard-work and sense of fair play' and actually display some; but no that would be asking too much.

There are some facts that are undisputable, here are three that I think stand up among all.
One, Italy played a superb game against Germany. In Tuesdays match, Italy was on the attack and playing with the ball must of the match. Creating scoring opportunities one after another. Making game. They deserved victory
Two, clearly the penalty against Australia in favor of the Italians in the last possible instant of the game was a gift from God, or was it?
May be it was not God, may be was the other character........... "The Godfather"A.K.A "The Ref."
And last, Italia and France a match to be remember. It will be great if France wins and makes the justice to the Australians..... Because every one will remember the Champions, most of us will forget the looser..........

Sure an Italian victory would be fitting. The two things have nothing to do with each other. As a German I think I'm even going to support Italy in the final, although they kicked us out. You call that hostile? I don't think so.

I do not understand the hatred towards the Italians. Yes, the penalty kick against the Australians was questionable, but the Italian team has played extremely well throughout the tournament. You have not seen excessive diving at all.

It seems to me that the Italians are constantly being denigrated. They are criticized for diving, being too defensive, having the German player banned for a game, and now for the Italian teams back in Italy being involved in match fixing! Come on! Give the team a break. They have played some beautiful football and have rightfully earned their spot in the finals.

At least the Italians tried to get another goal after their first. they only had like 2 minutes but france was content to play a boring second half.

I want france to win but I think the Italians will take it.

Italy needed 118 minutes to score after they got a key player from Germany barred. The message: they needed every help to win and even then the Germans made it difficult.

This Frings thing and Grossos dive spoils everything. An undeserved red card is one thing, a penalty with 10 secs to go another. Not comparable.

Sadly Henry dived today too to get a penalty. I hope the ref in the final will see through the diving.

Grosso and Henry beware.

Italy deserves to be in the final and win it. The alleged corruption is just that at the moment: alleged. But having said that it has nothing to do with the Italian team in the world cup as of now.

Italy has played the better football than France so far and deserves to go on and win the cup. The final should have been between Italy and Germany because of the four teams in the semis they have been the top two.

"vinoth wrote:
the old horses cannot break their defence it will be 2-1 for italy.."

2-1? i thought the defence wasn't going to be broken?

"Brian wrote:
Italy needed 118 minutes to score after they got a key player from Germany barred".

I've missed something, who did Italy bar or get barred?

"The message: they needed every help to win and even then the Germans made it difficult".

Was we expecting the Germans to make it EASY for them?

Italy deserve to be where they are because they are quiet simply a good team!, they always do well in most tournaments, except when they have bad decisions go against them, they too have suffered many unfair decisions, but they have regrouped, and let their football do the talking.

How did the italian team manage to get FIFA to ban Frings exactly?, was Frings framed or something? I think you are deluding yourself, Frings did somthing which was wrong, and he was punished for it. Italy would of won by more if Frings was playing anyway, so consider yourself lucky he was out! they are a better team than the Germans, the Germans had all the crowd support to help them, but were not good enough, just like when italy beat the germans previously 4 - 1, be a good sport and stop your complaining. Germany is a good young team and will win the next world cup!

The question: Would Italian victory be just? You're kidding, Right? If we are to measure world cup victory's without controversy than, England and their hooligan's would be disqualified from every match; the Xenophobic nature of German's (der spiegel: Parastites & Oily Italian remarks) would exclude them from entering a foriegn city. Frankly, as an American who has [just] recently turned on to soccer, the manner in which the Brit's have conducted thelmselves in recent world cups (i.e. street brawls) and the German display of mean spirited pre-match bantor has left me cold and wondering if George Bush is really as bad as the Europeans and Brit's think he is. Forza Italia 2006...You deserve it!

Watch out, Zidane will teach you. :)

Matthew: Just keep reading THE SUN and BILD. Really the best sources for getting true and neutral information about those two countries.

Say what you will, Henry did not dive in today's game. I looked at that replay several times. If Carvallo doesn't lift his foot to trip Henry, you have the Premier League's best striker for the last five years one-on-one with the goalie. That's a no-brainer. Henry would have scored. Carvallo did the right thing. Bring him down. Any one of us with brains would have tripped him and the referee got it absolutely right.
As for Italy, the scandal is truly a disgrace, but irrelevant. The truth, however, is Italy's style of play is a big turn-off to fans of the game. France has played the "beautiful game" -- even if inconsistently. Italy has played a choppy, pushy, beg-for-a-call game that will hopefully be punished by the referee. I am so tired of seeing every Italian player begging like a baby for a whistle by the ref. It's truly disgusting. I don't have a favorite in the final and could care less if France or Italy wins. But if you want the "beautiful game" to win, you have to go for France.

Why didn't germany score the 2nd goal in their semi final loss to italy! now that would of been something special, Alas..... it was not to be, everyone says the Italians left it very late to win the match after their first goal, but they still had time to score another!, well done! Italy should of been given the cup after that game!, it was excellent!, they truely deserve to take it home!

The question: If Italy wins will it be just? That's a joke, RIGHT? If the fate of the world cup championship rested on a scandal-free nation, the WC statue would never be raised. Indeed, the idea that certain factions of both the British and German populace has conducted thelmselves in a scandalous manner, just who is just? In fact, how ironic that Italy is at the center of global debate when regarding match-fixing and corruption. Because, it was a Roman whom asked the question: Quid est Veritas? The Azzurri will compete for the highest crown that futbol has to offer, not because they are innocent, but for their pitch-formed excellence. Forza Azzurri 2006!

First of all, I wanna say to all other Germany fans that even though Italy broke my heart by winning in the last minute of extra time, they did deserve the victory, and in a way it's positive that Germany didn't win this. If we did, we wouldn't solve the fundamental problems of our football in the long-term, such as the defensive line, the slow pace of the Bundesliga, and last but not least the way in which German clubs aren't able to compete anymore with England Spain and Italian clubs. Even KH Rummenigge said he doesn't expect any chance of Bayern going far in the CL next year. So if we won the WC, it could've been like when Germany won the European Nations Cup in 1996 at Wembley and all the bigger problems were swept under the rug. What's great is that the people are able to be proud of being Germans again, and this new nationalism is going to be positive and create a sense of hope and belief in Die Mannschaft like never before. Our players are too young right now, and have a lot to learn and to mature. But in 2 years, Klinsi's team is gonna be the European Champions again, and in South Africa, we'll be the first European team to win outside of Europe, with captain Michael Ballack 33 years old and retiring after that WC. So don't worry, the future's bright!

Regarding Italy, I'd say that they won't sweep their bigger problems under the rug this time. The difference is that it's not a player who's involved in the scandal, but the management and organization(fat cats) of the clubs. The 4 biggest clubs are all gonna be punished, and most of their players will be moving, even overseas. So as far as Italian club football goes, it's almost dead next year. That's why if I want to visualize being an Italian fan, I'd say that it'd be sweet to have this victory to show what Italy is really about, and to win with skill and pride.

I'd have to say that Italy got stronger and stronger as it moved on in the tournament, and by the time it faced Germany, it was too strong for any team to beat. I reckon if it had faced Argentina instead Italy would've won 2-1 in normal time. The Grosso goal showed a bit of creativity that our young German team, except for Ballack, lacks. We're gonna have to kick some Portuguese(sissy Ronaldo) ass on Saturday to make the nation proud, and also maybe as some revenge for our English friends(can't believe I'm saying that!).

I think France has got this far, but I'd say that Italy's defense is too strong and it'll be 60% chance of Italy winning it. Zidane is gonna play his heart out, and Henry is gonna use loss in the European Cup final to be mad and play harder, so the French aren't going to be run over. But in the end, the back four of Italy, combined with counterattacks that are extremely quick, will be too much for the French. As much as I love the French players like Zidane, Henry, and Sagnol, I'm neutral in this, cause I love the way the Italian team played(not the acting, but the "Teamgeist"). I especially love Gattusso, and how he showed so much heart in this tournament. The Italians played as a team, without ego, and have a mission to fulfill. The French played with heart, out to prove the world that they're not to be taken for granted, that they're mad at being written off. Zidane proved in this tournament he's the best French player ever, better than Platini. So, this'll be a great game to watch, and may the best team, hopefully also with the most beautiful football, win the Cup!

Forza Italia & Allez Les Bleus!!!

Michele is right: the Aussies & English have a fixed prejudice about the Italians which would take several world cup wins, with consistent scores of 3-0 or greater, to dislodge. They can have their misguided prejudice, just give us (ITA) the World Cup 2006. Please. Not the French. Has anyone noticed there has not been a single whisper in any match report of any UK newspaper or 大象传媒 about the Henry dive? Grosso's dive was so egregious that it was fair game for Italians in the street to be accused of lying and acting. But oh, never the French. They run, so they must be fair. Guess what, open your eyes, ITA run too, and they'll play their hearts out. WIN!

Delser

Nice post and I think you have a poit here. 1996 really brought us down after a short lift. We need to focus on 2010. Klinsi only had to years time and did brilliantly for this, but now he would have really the time to make world champions. There will be ups and downs, but he can do it, if he stays.

But I have to disagree... Germany was still exhausted after Argentina. This dragged us down. Frings not on the pitch didn't help either. Italy were lucky, had we met them instead of Sweden or Argentina, they would be already at home. But anyway, it's the way it is. They were the clever ones. But what I really do know: this was the last time ever that Germany is losing in the 118th minute.

Sometimes losing out will only make you win in the end. The future looks bright.

After the boring semi between France and Portugal it's a bit sad we didn't reach the final in this year, but in 2002. Italy were the better ones, but destroyed something big on Tuesday, they will pay for this.

best wishes

I want France to win this and they will win it. I believe in my heart not my brain. France are a side that have very experienced players as do the Italians but the French deserve it more. They are a side which play football. They are an honest team. I am really sad that people in Munchen booed Ronaldo. Can I say it more clearly than it's not his fault for England have such a miserable World Cup campaign. Is it his fault or should he have missed the winning penalty on purpose? England supporters who were actually there watching the match should be ashamed for the fact that people want the EPL to be more exciting. You are just persuading good players like Ronaldo to move somewhere else (i.e. Madrid). England are sore losers to be honest.

After watching the appaling antics of Portugal and their Manager during their loss against France, I think it is high time that F.I.F.A. stop allowing the blatant cheating which is creeping into all aspects of the game.
Cheating is not acceptable and countries such as Portugal, Italy and Brazil should stop being hailed as exciting teams who play the 'Beautiful Game', instead they should be classified as professional cheats.
Working in a multi cultural enviroment in the Netherlands I can confidently state that the respect that normal football fans have for these teams & players is decreasing by the game, so come on F.I.F.A start bringing the game back to the fans by cutting out the cheats.

Presumably the Italians are playing so well because the majority of them are trying to impress the prospective new teams they are going to have to find as they will all have relegation clauses in their contracts...

Italy would be for me an unworthy worldcup winner.

Not because what happened in Italy, that's their business.

It is because of the most brutal foul of the tournament in the match against the USA, their cheating of a penalty to win over Australia and the ugly move to get the German Frings suspended due to questionable TV pictures.

I like all the Italian people living in Germany but sorry, France has my full support for the final.

i hope that the game is won in the same manner as italy won their semi final, to the delight of football purists we need to see a great attacking team win and either team could produce on the night, all i hope is that those miserable sour grapes bbc commentators do not sour the occasion with their negative comments, last night's display by hansen, neil etc was a disgrace, always criticising rather than looking at the positives, the brilliance of zidane for instance, lets make the most of this man's career which is coming to an end on sunday.

Italy deserves to take home the World Cup, has they have been consistent along the Host Country which they defeated. Wonder! why some fans have been crying wolf where there is none regarding the Australian penalty which was entirely a referee decision. France is a good team but Italy is better.

Portuguese Fan here.

Cant believe that there are still people arround, going after the mythical Portugal excuse for all their evils when of all the 3 teams left last night only 1 didnt win at the expense of a theatrical penalty dive.

Portugal faced Mexico Holland, England and france, of wich, the last 3 searched for penalties in dives.
And they were real oposition not like Englands early dropouts oposition.

Portugal dived, so what? Its bad for the spectacle but its a minor evil considering that even in england its a common tactic on certain premiere league teams. Its interesting that England lost and suddenly among everybody the Portuguese are made the villains. I also cant believe every time a new game is discussed, these boards swich back to England-was-cheated-and-Portugal-is-a-disgrace mode.

Maybe those who go for that argument want to take note of Portuguese Fan sportivism by accepting the defeat even considering that we were the ones to have fallen victims of "gravitational distortion" on the box.

Real men take it in the chest. Ohters just complain all day long and behave like spoiled children.

Oh and by the way we will still play VS germany. Looking forward to it.

#39 Joe:

You wish you had a coach half as good as Scolari. Glad he didnt sign for England after they stalled the process because he wasnt English....typical.

And wow, you now call everyone but England as cheats. How self centered is that?

Get educated son.

While I do not profess to be an Italy fan,their performances have been world class.Before I sound anti-Italiano I do love their sense of fashion,pizza and their women.

I digress.Renown for their defensiveness,they now have the ability to counter as we saw in the Germany game.The key really is to play attacking football against them.They defend in little pockets(ie 2/3 players pressing the ball carrier)and reduce time and space.Draw the press and transfer the ball out of that area.Use Zidane as a decoy by encouraging him to drift wide(and suck a few italians with him)thereby freeing up space centrally and in the opposite channel.Once the ball is transferred to the opposite channel run at them,play the 1 v 1.It is not often you'll have numerical parity against the well organised Italians.

Isolate Pirlo(midfield genius) and work in the channels away from Canavarro(doesn't seem to miss a tackle).Basically minimise the influence of their key players and opportunities open up.

Watching the French last night,they will have to defend better in 2 v 2 scenarios.The were not as sharp at picking up the runners,thereby allowing a 2 v 1 to be executed.Their left channel is vulnerable.Figo pretty much had a field day.The Italians will look to exploit that.
5 man midfield.Use Viera as the defensive cover option in that channel.

Keep faith with the system.There is temptation to tinker for 'improvement'.It will come down to execution.

Dare I say it,if there is going to be a change.Maybe Henry on the bench,Trezeguet on.Henry on with 35min in the 2nd half.Playing as the lone striker,you get isolated with ease unless you drift wide.Once in possession you end up having to hold up play and wait for support from midfield.Alternatively,you could take them on.(1 v 2/3).Not good odds.
So use Trezeguet as the first half mule.Henry on as the finisher.Pipe dream.I say he sticks with the tried and trusted.

France looked a bit flat after two mammoth performances.They will need to raise the bar yet again to compete with Italy.Cinderella endings;Zidane bows out a world champion.How often do we get an ending like that?This is real life,not Hollywood.

From Paris to Rome,bonne chance to both teams.Entertain us.

i think with portugal getting beaten last night we will see a good final both italy who were outstanding against germany and france will play a good game as an englishmen i was disappointed that we were beaten by portugal who i have to say have tanished the world cup with their blatant cheating and it was nice to see ronaldo crying at the end maybe he had something in his eye this should teach him that cheats never prosper i fancy italy 2 1 in the final with totti entering the stage

This is a scandal involving the clubs not the players so why should they be held accountable?

In my mind there is no way that we can take away the achievement from this wonderful Azzurri squad.

Under such pressure they have played good football and made the final.

This is the chance for them to show the world all the good things about Italian football.

Dear Pilotasso,

I suggest that you watch your games and see for yourself how bad your team cheated, I agree that Scolari is a better coach then Sven, however, I do not remember Sven screaming at the ref after the game and having a temper tantrum!!.
Perhaps you should also consider the fact that the entire stadium last night booed Ronaldo, also the entire football loving public supported France, why do you think that is?, could it be that we are all now educated in how Portugal play football????.

Finally, unless I am mistaken you are not my 'Father'.

#47 nic:

France played like Greece last night. I dont see an attacking football in the final. Italy are the defenders for wich all other teams benchmark from, except they are orders of magnitude better in scoring with few chances better than any other.

France may Have won Portugal but didnt do so convincely. They were all put on the box on the second half. And tired like they are I dont think they stand much chances versus the Italians.

France will most likely defend all game long, and if they hold they will got for penalties or try to create a chance for penalty of their own beofre the 90 minutes.

Italy have played some of the most attractive football of all the teams in the world cup so far and thoroughly deserve to be in the final. The judgement as to whether they deserve to win the World Cup should be decided by their ability on the field not the domestic scandal back home.

How many would like to take bets that none of the big clubs named in the scandal will get relegated to lower divisions . There are too many powerful figures behind these teams to allow this to occur, it would be a commercial disaster for football in Italy. As usual when scandals emerge from time to time in Italy there is a huge fuss, a few fines are paid and a few scapegoats made, but nothing will change materially underneath.

I don't think it would be unjust for Italy to win the World Cup. After all, it might show those currently in the 'frame' that they are a skilled footballing nation and can rely on their players to play the game at the highest level to great success!
I hope Italy do win as they have been the hungriest team in recent matches and have played (at least lately) in a much more sporting way, unlike Portugal who have, for me, spoiled the competition with their diving and acting up all the way through to their defeat last night at the hands of France. I say this not just from an England fan's viewpoint but from a football fan's viewpoint. Cristiano Ronaldo should be punished for the way he has played; diving EVERY time anyone tackled him as well as doing his best to get others into trouble every chance he got. Talk about 'Pot, Kettle and Black'! He is a disgrace to the sport and to his country. A skilled player he no doubt is, but also, sadly, a cheat of the highest level. This kind of cheating is spoiling the greatest game in the world and needs to be stopped.
I hope the World Cup Final is a great game and doesn't rely on penalties to decide the outcome.
Viva L'Italia!
I'd also like to thank Germany for a great competition. Roll on 2010!

First of all the Italian team had nothing to do with the German player ban: The punch was shown on an Italian TV and other international TV stations have then shown the same images... Question: Who told the German player to punch the guy out? Totti received a 4 match ban in the last world cup due to Danish TV.... (He deserved the ban as did the German player).

I hope the best team will win it but here are some facts:

Best goalkeeper & central defender at this world cup (and in the world): Buffon and Cannavaro.

Best right back: Zambrotta (both attacking and defending)

One of the best midfield (Gattuso, Pirlo, Camaronesi)

And was missing the form of one of the best player in the world: Totti (whoever has watched few Roma matches this season on Bravo TV before the leg injury can confirm that).

Against Ghana Italy played a very good open match and only later reverted to more conservative football due to suspensions and injuries (even the workhorse Gattuso had to miss a match). When everybody was back and fit, Italy has shown what elegant football is all about.

23 unbeaten run

1 goal conceded and it was an own goal.

大象传媒 commentators yesterday have shown a clear bias against Italian football by saying that there was not a very good team in the forthcoming finals... At least ITV and other Medias have recognised what a wonderful football display Italy has demonstrated against Germany. I sympathise with England, but both supporter and media need to be more realistic as England had no chance to win the world cup. Rooney is a very good player but is not a Pele, Maradona or Zidane and cannot win a world cup by himself. Gerrard aside, the England team was just average and Shearer said that there was not a player in this final he would have picked up for the England squad but Henry and Cannavaro... Please...

What a boring finish! Two teams that made their way into the final through dull 1:0 wins whereby the goals they were able to score were cheated penalties. This great World Cup and brave and honest teams such as the Australians would have deserved better.

Greece 2004, France 2006? If teams with the most boring performance continue winning competitions through cheated goals, it will be hard to speak of football as the beautiful game.....

One last word to Zidane:

One avarage performance against Brazil does not make him the star of this World Cup. Three or four touches yesterday in the second half, hardly able to score from the spot, and poor sportsmanship when he is facing defeat (remember his booking against South Korea when France was facing an early exit after the group stages?)

I also remember him for numerous red cards in the Champions League after ugly fouls committed when Juve was going to lose.

For this reason, let`s hope grand-p猫re is not lifting the cup again....

I want Italy to win it mainly because they are the best and the fairest team in the tournament. They play a good style of football and Pirlo is just brilliant at keeping their team going and attacking.

France on the other hand dived to win the winning penalty against Portugal (yet it was Ronaldo who was slated by the 大象传媒, no surprises there then) and also cheated to beat Spain. If anyone deserves to be booed for a whole game it is Henry.

#50 Joe:

Dont need to watch the game again, as I alredy told you Portugals Players did dive. What I cant understand is why of all who dived only The portuguese are accused of cheating when we didnt progress on the WC in such fashion.

Why oh why cant see the English media (or maybe wont voluntarily) and the fans see anything else but revenge and suporting teams that DID some marvelous convincing dives.

In My view C Ronaldo has much to grow up as many other young players like him in this WC need to.
But somehow he is portrayed as the Scumbag who deserved a beating when he gets back to ManUTD.(Realy a serious matter when this is openly incited on TV, now THATS a disgrace)

I wish they saw better than the Rooney incident, Comon who doesnt plea for a foul on his team mates?
His country first, club later or maybe his home countryin your eyes should be forgotten in place of Man UTD?. Youll never see this on our part, and Im proud we have lost with the fans dignity of taking it on the chest. Our team will be welcome home yours had to enter through the back door, wich is sad realy.

Pilotasso,

You're right Portugal did dive could not agree with you more, and what Joe said is also very true. Unfortunately these underhand tactics have now been recognised and at last a referee saw sense and saw through these tactics. Ronaldo should take swimming lessons if he wants to dive in the box like his attempt last night, and maybe Postiga could join him in syncronised diving. Football is a contact sport and there are going to be times when players will make contact, however the nature of how the Portugese players fall down when slightly touched (Figo, Ronaldo, Postiga, and the rest) only makes me wonder why they are in the game and not on the stage. However it would make a very poor B play in the West End. Ronaldos comments on how he felt the referee cheated the Portugese is only evidence that he too cannot take defeat graciously and that he needs to look at himself before he treads the field of play again.

Just another quick point. Having a coach like Scolari would have been great, it was not because he was not English that the FA did not employ him.

Enjoy the game that nobody wants to play in - 3rd or 4th position. What might have been!!!!

my heart really wants Italy to win this coz i think bar Argentina they've been the best side in this World Cup.. technically perfect from back to front..

in reply to the original question, well let me ask you this..

was it unfair that Brazil won the last World Cup despite all their troubles in their domestic league? no they thoroughly deserved to win..

likewise was it unfair that Italy won the 1938 World Cup despite being ruled by a crazy moustached leader? no their team was still far and large the best in the world at the time..

the matter of the fact is that u can only judge whether a team's win is fair or not by their performances throughout the tournament and the final itself. there is just no link between the politics off field and on it.. in fact, its amazing that the Italians are still doing this well in spite of all their troubles back home.. heck many of these players don't know who they're playing for in the next Serie A..

if anything it would be a tremendous achievement if the Italian national side did win this World Cup.. at the end of the day, club and country are always separate.. Juventus, Milan, Roma supporters will always be united when it's country..

It's a trampling of justice and compelling confirmation of corruption by nature if Italy became triumphant over the French. Football is personalised in fair and just play and not the befriending of greedy business mafias sole aim of profit.

Handing the world's most prestige trophy to Italy defeats the entertainment purpose of the game and gives a thumb's up to corruption. This will be nature's greatest mistake in the 21st century.

Earlier 大象传媒 article wanted Germany to lose. Now this one wants Italy to lose.

England is jealous of Germany and Italy for their 3 championships and hoping to catch up to them. If Italy wins on Sunday it will make their catching up even harder because they think it will be easier to catch up to 2 championships of France.

In any case whoever wins on Sunday it's bad news for English who refused to participate in the early world cups because they thought football belonged to them only and because they did not want to play football with their wartime enemies. How hilarious!

Whoever post number 16 is, perhaps you're jealous of Italians- whats the problem- your wife fancies half the team!? Or you're Australian..or even German! Pull the other one pal, three points;

1. Materazzi should never have got sent off- terrible decision- if he hadnt Italy, would have walked over Australia- the penalty was justice. O'Neill impeded Grosso's run- end of story.

2. Frings was banned by FIFA- what else needs to be said on this subject? It wasnt the Italian Football Federation that got him banned, but SKY Italia- blame Rupert Murdoch!

3. Thankfully, corruption is being dealt with properly in Italy. It has been well known for sometime that there was a cancerous element in Italian football (notably the Juventus hierarchy). Let me get this clear- it has NOTHING to do with the players. Buffon was investigated, but that was for betting on OTHER teams- what do you think Owen and his crew do on a weekly basis. The rules are different in Italy, he was a silly man but hardly a criminal offence.

Im tired of the British media, notably the 大象传媒 (with Valencia Orange perma-tanned Lineker and bitter grapefruit O'Neill in particular) constantly bemoaning Italian football. There is only one team in this tournament which has shown the world how the game should be played- quick and skillful in both defence and attack. In Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Buffon and the ever improving Totti, they have unquestionably the best players and team in the tournament.

Also, when is someone going to say Cannavaro, pound for pound, is one of the best defenders EVER to play the game? I have truly never seen anyone with such presence and timing...

And thats from a Cardiff City fan!

Whoever post number 16 is, perhaps you're jealous of Italians- whats the problem- your wife fancies half the team!? Or you're Australian..or even German! Pull the other one pal, three points;

1. Materazzi should never have got sent off- terrible decision- if he hadnt Italy, would have walked over Australia- the penalty was justice. O'Neill impeded Grosso's run- end of story.

2. Frings was banned by FIFA- what else needs to be said on this subject? It wasnt the Italian Football Federation that got him banned, but SKY Italia- blame Rupert Murdoch!

3. Thankfully, corruption is being dealt with properly in Italy. It has been well known for sometime that there was a cancerous element in Italian football (notably the Juventus hierarchy). Let me get this clear- it has NOTHING to do with the players. Buffon was investigated, but that was for betting on OTHER teams- what do you think Owen and his crew do on a weekly basis. The rules are different in Italy, he was a silly man but hardly a criminal offence.

Im tired of the British media, notably the 大象传媒 (with Valencia Orange perma-tanned Lineker and bitter grapefruit O'Neill in particular) constantly bemoaning Italian football. There is only one team in this tournament which has shown the world how the game should be played- quick and skillful in both defence and attack. In Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Buffon and the ever improving Totti, they have unquestionably the best players and team in the tournament.

Also, when is someone going to say Cannavaro, pound for pound, is one of the best defenders EVER to play the game? I have truly never seen anyone with such presence and timing...

And thats from a Cardiff City fan!

for those who say that no players were involved in the scandal, i was pretty sure that buffon had been implicated?

Other than last year fixing scandal in Germany, there are major football scandals in progress in Poland and Spain right now - just check out today's news. But you can't really expect mudslingers, sore losers and Australians to waste some of their fake righteousness against other countries than Italy. For that you'll have to wait until the Loseroos are outclassed from Spain or Poland, then the poo slinging will start as usual.

Pilotasso,

Your are wrong. I am not to pleased to be a Portugal supporter. I think there tactics were no good. Your comment about the English doing the same in there own league is probably down to the players from other countries. The english league never used to be like that I am sure.

My son kept asking me what is wrong with that player (Ronaldo) every time he fell over. I did not know how to explain it properly as I am trying to bring him up in the nature of FIFa s motto fair play. My son looks up to him but I will have to now try to model him on someone who is more profesional like Deco.

I hope Scolari stays, he is a good manager.

goodbye

Pedro

Did you watch the other semi final last night? Now i suppose your going to tell me there was no diving or stimulation in that game either? The only reason Portugal have got so far is the manner in which they play the game which appauls me. They did well in the groups playing against no hopers but as soon as they come up against quality opponents they have to resort to these tactics, as they know ability wise they are not good enough to beat them, first of all the dirtiest world cup game ever against the dutch, secondly the childish mind games or ronaldo against England, and finally (thank god) numerous falling over against France. I would like to praise the referee, on a fine display, he kept his cool throught the game, the only negative was that numerous portugal players should have been booked for blatent dives. They know they have a good defence and a good midfield but are also well aware they are not dangerous one bit up front, so to beat a quality team they have to try and con the ref into giving freekicks/penalties. It was good to see ronaldo getting a reception for 90 minutes that he deserved. The fact they could not take defeat graciously highlights their attitude. Mr Scolari was going mental at the referee after the game. Then in the press confence after he was very chilled. Obviously he mush have looked at the highlights before going into the press confrence. As for Mr Mronaldo complaining about the ref he should think himself very lucky for staying on the pitch. ]
Your attitude is why you say we moan so much, quote "Portugal dived so what" SO WHAT SO WHAT???? your counrty is proud of cheating?? I dont see what it has got to do with the premier league, and if you have actually watched the premier leauge you may notice a very small percentage of the players who dive are english.
Now you bang on about England being sore loosers, try taking some of your own medicine. It was a blatent penalty the rules state "If the defending player makes contact with the ball before contact with the player no foul has been committed, If contact with the player is made before the ball then a foul HAS BEEN commited" There was no contact with the ball what so ever!!!! Grow up and stop being so nieve.

What a question to pose. as a viewer I was treated to the best display of football in this world cup. the enquiry into Italian football has nothing to do with the teams involved in the competition. Typicall media trying to cloud the real issues. If anything there should be a case presented to ensure the media REPORTS and does not give us there biased views. Most of those presenting their views do nothing for football world wide,most of them could not get a job with the footballing world.After watching France v Portygal my views have not changed, game was too defensive, the
French team appear to be past it and I hope in the final Italy turn on the style again.

Whoever post number 16 is, perhaps you're jealous of Italians. Pull the other one pal, three points;

1. Materazzi should never have got sent off- terrible decision- if he hadnt Italy, would have walked over Australia- the penalty was justice. O'Neill impeded Grosso's run- end of story.

2. Frings was banned by FIFA- what else needs to be said on this subject? It wasnt the Italian Football Federation that got him banned, but SKY Italia- blame Rupert Murdoch!

3. Thankfully, corruption is being dealt with properly in Italy. It has been well known for sometime that there was a cancerous element in Italian football (notably the Juventus hierarchy). Let me get this clear- it has NOTHING to do with the players. Buffon was investigated, but that was for betting on OTHER teams- what do you think Owen and his crew do on a weekly basis. The rules are different in Italy, he was a silly man but hardly a criminal offence.

Im tired of the British media, notably the 大象传媒 (with Valencia Orange perma-tanned Lineker and bitter grapefruit O'Neill in particular) constantly bemoaning Italian football. There is only one team in this tournament which has shown the world how the game should be played- quick and skillful in both defence and attack. In Pirlo, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Buffon and the ever improving Totti, they have unquestionably the best players and team in the tournament.

Also, when is someone going to say Cannavaro, pound for pound, is one of the best defenders EVER to play the game? I have truly never seen anyone with such presence and timing...

And thats from a Cardiff City fan!

Just been to the HateRonaldo site. Jeeez, what an honour to have your own pet hate site. Is he bothered? No, on the contrary! Why should he? All this Ronaldo palaver will only grant him a huge pay rise when he joins another club, which looks like a distinct possibility after ManUTD fans disgraceful reactions. Hats off gentlemen, the boy is a genius.

I sincerely think ManUtd fans do not deserve him. But they seem to be doing him a favour by sponsoring web sites that will only market his "matador" talent. What are they thinking? Maybe that they can let such a talented player go because they have, ehr... Wayne-short-fuse-Rooney?

Fair enough mates, let the "cheat" from Portugal go and try to win the premiership without him. But remember, just round the corner there's Chelsea. And guess what?! it looks like you are about to have your buts kicked by yet another... Portuguese! Can you see a pattern here? That tiny nation must be amused.

Hi my name is matt and i am a humble boy from stoke on trent i have recently been admitted to the england under 19 football academy and have been offered a contract by aston villa. When i received the offer i quickly replied and said go away as they are rubbish and decided to go to play for man u. My feelings towards italy are that although good footballers being italian means they are all muppets and therefore do not deserve to win anything. In addition all italian supporters are wayward souls.

f

Just been to the HateRonaldo site. Jeeez, what an honour to have your own pet hate site. Is he bothered? No, on the contrary! Why should he? All this Ronaldo palaver will only grant him a huge pay rise when he joins another club, which looks like a distinct possibility after ManUTD fans disgraceful reactions. Hats off gentlemen, the boy is a genius.

I sincerely think ManUtd fans do not deserve him. But they seem to be doing him a favour by sponsoring web sites that will only market his "matador" talent. What are they thinking? Maybe that they can let such a talented player go because they have, ehr... Wayne-short-fuse-Rooney?

Fair enough mates, let the "cheat" from Portugal go and try to win the premiership without him. But remember, just round the corner there's Chelsea. And guess what?! it looks like you are about to have your buts kicked by yet another... Portuguese! Can you see a pattern here? That tiny nation must be amused.

#54 Andy:

I repect your view. I wished everybody expressed their disagreement like you without all out difamation.

C Ronaldo is a kid sure. Spoils the play for some theatrics, but hes no different than the inexperienced and somewhat egocentric kids out there.
I see them on almost every team, England, Italy Spain with very few exceptions.

He did make some good classy plays despite all. He doesnt deserve his face on a "wanted" poster though.

Back home we alredy know this even if we are reluntant os saying this on these boeards because then everybody will only pick on the bad parts to make the bashing even worse than it is.

Portugal Equaly doesnt deserve the scumbag rep the English media wants to label us like.

Initialy I kept myself from replying to all this flame war, but as I grew up curiously observing human behaviour I got pretty alarmed by the mass of paople blinded with this amount of hatred. Its not like a bunch of a few young delinquent kids, but Journalists, celebreties and the common citizen in chorus.

I think where we need to get some players grow up and stoping slowing down the game like that, lots of fans and the press on your side need some major mentality changes. Wich is the worst in a chapionship?

Sebastian Post 56.

You clearly do not understand much about football.

For me the dullest team of the tournament was Auastralia. So dull and mechanical. They play like little robots, brainwashed by Hiddink. Did any one Australian player take any sort of initiave against 10 man Italy?

Granted the penalty decision could have gone either way, but you don't defend against a player coming into the box like that, you are just asking for trouble, and what was an italian full back doing in the Australian penalty area anyway..

Australia have good players but none have the menatlity to create something unusual or exciting.. so please think about the word dull and have a good look at your team.

The funny thing is that in the ranks of the teams involved in the scandal there are also foreign players (and the list is long)....should have they been banned from the WC too or is it only the Italians that should be held responsible? The match fixing trial goes back a few years, so maybe also Juventus ex players should be banned, like thuram and zidane.
This is ridicolous.

Please refrain from giving lectures on sport ethics because i've seen dirty playing from all the teams!

I must admit that I am getting very bored by all these comments and debates on Italy's cheating, Italy ways of living, pizza, mandolino, mafia and all the rest!
Please get updated !!!Yuo are boring, don't you have anything new to talk about? Still the same for ages,open up your eyes and be realistic!!!We are not like that!
I do not understand why foreign people come to Italy on holiday, buy products made in Italy, keep on eating our food and still, they keep on complaining!
Maybe the answer is just envy! I believe it must be hard and depressing.
Sorry for you guys, how can the world cup go back home if all roads lead to Rome??? Tutti a Berlino !

Being an Italian who lived in England for the last 10 years I really struggle to understand the anti-Italianism of the English and the English press. I now we have not been very convincing in the past, I know we have had our moments of shame, but didn鈥檛 we pay for it?

Don鈥檛 our players deserve some credit for reaching, once again, a world cup final? (Fair and square despite what the Australians might say). No - clearly they didn't deserve to beat Australia and most of all the Germans;

I have many English friends and colleagues and I found it very hard to celebrate the good victory against Germany without upsetting some of them, who reminded me that we were lucky to get past Australia and that we had an easy ride against Ukraine. For goodness sake, why is it so difficult to say congratulation for your brilliant performance and good luck in the final????

It really looked to me as if we didn鈥檛 only break the German鈥檚 hearts in the semi-final but also the English hearts with the only difference that the Germans and the German press congratulated and praised Italy鈥檚 performance.

The English are disillusioned and biased. I love this country, but you guys should really start to open your eyes and be less arrogant. Alan Shearer last night said, 鈥淚 think that if you look at the teams in the semi-finals, only 3 or 4 players would make it to the England鈥檚 squad鈥� Now, how is that for a bold comment? Was that supposed to be British Humour?

If it was, it worked, I am still laughing. Camon guys what鈥檚 wrong with you? This is a great country, but you and your press are completely biased which is fine as long as England get far in a major competition but can鈥檛 you see how ridiculous that is since you fail every time? Please England, give Italy a break you can do it...

FORZA AZZURRI!!!

Italy making the final with half the players playing for teams emboiled in the match fixing scandal is bad for football.

Had Portugal made it it would have been worse with their cheating and I'm not talking about the England game but the Holland game

I'm no lover of the French Football team but I'll be backing them on Sunday

and for those that bemoaned the way England played. Neither of the finalists were particularly good in their group stages either and have limped along to the final.

Big countries, little minds. Be careful: your humility is " diving".

Where is my previous post???

Italy's performance in The World Cup should not be overshadowed by the 'scandal' that is currently undergoing. Italy deserve to be where they are and they deserve the chance to challenge France and stake a claim to win The World Cup. If the claims of match fixing, referee bunging etc are true and the teams do get punished then so be it, the teams will get demoted, the league opens up and becoms a contest. The high valued and high paid players will move to other top clubs, and we may very well see my team Parma get into Europe, c'mon the boys!

To answer the question in the blog: NO.

But for me as a german the real dilemma is the following. Do I want Italy to win a fourth star (and thus being ahead of Germany) or do I want France to become one of the few big football countries to ever win a world cup outside their home country.

I find THAT incredibly hard to answer :)

ENOUGH OF THIS STUFF!

now a few points for those who just speak and dont have a clue

- the italian FA did not say a word against FRINGS, the FIFA admitted it was their decision all the way, the footage they got was from some small german TV. FACT

- in euro 2004 there were 5 danish cameras on totti just to check him out and the danish team strategy was to piss him off so that he would react and cameras could get him. so it happened.

- yeah i hate the diving but the FEW dives cant take away the amazing performances from us

- NO TEAM IN THIS WORLD CUP showed such perfection, elegance and maturity as we did, especially against germany

- france is a old boring team and it would be a sin if they win this

Just been to the HateRonaldo site. Jeeez, what an honour to have your own pet hate site. Is he bothered? No, on the contrary! Why should he? All this Ronaldo palaver will only grant him a huge pay rise when he joins another club, which looks like a distinct possibility after ManUTD fans disgraceful reactions. Hats off gentlemen, the boy is a genius.

I sincerely think ManUtd fans do not deserve him. But they seem to be doing him a favour by sponsoring web sites that will only market his "matador" talent. What are they thinking? Maybe that they can let such a talented player go becuse they have, ehr... Wayne Rooney?

Fair enough mates, let the "cheat" from Portugal go and try to win the premiership without him. But remember, just round the corner there's Chelsea. And guess what?! it looks like you are about to be punished by yet another... Portuguese! Can you see a pattern here? That tiny nation must be amused.

ENOUGH OF THIS STUFF!

now a few points for those who just speak and dont have a clue

- the italian FA did not say a word against FRINGS, the FIFA admitted it was their decision all the way, the footage they got was from some small german TV. FACT

- in euro 2004 there were 5 danish cameras on totti just to check him out and the danish team strategy was to piss him off so that he would react and cameras could get him. so it happened.

- yeah i hate the diving but the FEW dives cant take away the amazing performances from us

- NO TEAM IN THIS WORLD CUP showed such perfection, elegance and maturity as we did, especially against germany

- france is a old boring team and it would be a sin if they win this

- ENGLAND, the country of pride, played worse than any other team, making everyone falling asleep and using what you people call the "italian style"...remember the game against equador? one goal and hold back...COME ON...

As far as italian play the way they played in semi-final against the hosts, i guess it would be a token of relief for the italian fans as well as italian fans across the globe....If CANNAVARO does not get recognised the player of the tournament, it would be as unjust as the teams that are aacuused of matchfixing go uscathed.

I'm italian and a Milan fan.I was disappointed by this fixed-matches scandal,they ruined our football,knowing how much we love it.I want and am sure that justice will be done,and those who have to be punished will be punished,even my Milan,which I would follow to hell if that's the point.
Said that,then we have this Azzurri team which has proven us that football is still a beautiful game that makes us dream.Italy deserves to be in final,the match against a very good Germany was the best of whole tournament.
The team is solid,prepared,motivated and determinated.There is not a single man that overcomes the others,maybe Buffon and Cannavaro.
And the fact is that we scored 10 goals,with 9 different men!!Amazing!
We have proved also that since 2002 WC and 2004 EC we have changed a lot,no more primadonnas but humble workers,with some exceptions off course.Not only defense but attacking.
I can't stand Juventus,but I am so stunned by the fact that the best of our team have been just the Juventus players,maybe their victories in these years are not only because of Moggi's dirty work.
Shall Sunday win the best.France is good and have been our nightmare many times!!But there is more than a whole nation pushing the Azzurri!

Italy have thoroughly deserved their place in the final. They won all the games fairly and their problems at home, surrounding the big fat cats, should have nothing to do with the team's performance and achievements in the World Cup.

A little aside, just for those who are still raising some pathetic objections about some of their games. As for the Oz match, if nothing else, in the controversial penalty the referee was at most 2 metres away and had a perfect view of Neill's foul and showed absolutely no hesitation in calling the penalty. This is one of the acknolwledged best referees in the world. As for the semi-final, they came close to scoring long before the last two minutes. Not one, but two balls hit the posts. That was real bad luck. Even so, the Germans' only hope was to beat them in the penalty stage - would that have awarded the best team? As we all know, it hardly ever does.

Also, Italy have played some of the cleanest football in the competition, their game has generally been offensive and exciting, and the players have shown a wonderful spirit, playing generously and cohesively. I think that the real final was the semi against Germany. Let's hope the final with the French will also be good fun to watch. For sure, Italy will fight hammer and tongues leaving nothing to chance.

Firstly the people behind the football scandal in Italy are the suits who care little for the game and more for the money it generates. The ones that suffer are the fans and the players, so to win the World Cup would a great achievement and would help to compensate for any punishment, rightly administered, by the authorities.

Good luck to Italia, who have been the 2nd best team in the tournament, after Argentina who let themselves down so badly in the 1/4 final.

why is it the english always put the italians down? calling them cheats, divers, boring to watch and all the rest of it.

italy have been by far the best team in the tournament and deserve to win. they've played good football and if any captain is worthy of lifting the trophy it's cannavaro, best defender in the world and a legend, up there with maldini and baresi.

portugal-england, if it was the other way around nothing bad would be said of england, take ian wright for example, gerrard diving against jamaica and getting the penalty, 'others will do it to us so we may as well do it'. disgraceful. rooney's challenge was a red card and no doubt he will be blamed, just like beckham, just accept england were not good enough in this tournament.

forza italia!!

I know is sad for you because your team got kicked-out but your attempts to try to spoil the Italian's memorable world cup is as pathetic as the football expressed by your team.

So far the Italians were very good but very lucky as well. They beat Australia with a dubious last minute penalty.They beat Germany two minutes away from a penalty shoot out.They beat a depleted demoralised ten men Ceck Republic. They beat Ghana with one of the goals caused by a blunder of an AC Roma defender.I remember in 1982 they beat Brazil by mistakes of Brazilian players playing in Italy. Off course this is all coincedence.I would not be surprised if eccentric Barthez gives them the win and he has never played in Italy.If they do it, it will be Lippi's merit who has prepared the sqaud physically and tactically very well.However Lippi is not very lucky in finals and it could be another Waterloo for him.

It's a bit unfair to say the Portuguese dive more that other teams. A bit of objectivity in the media would be nice.

France v Potugal had more dives than a Jacques Cousteau masterclass! By all means lets have a pop at the young Ronaldo - but lets save the biggest condemnation for Henry. Without his antics France would not have got passed the quarter finals or now the semis. What a disgrace this man is. If I were the MD of Renault I would cancel his contact immediately and tell him where he could stick his Va Va Voom.He desrves an Oscar. Lets hope the Italian team can wipe that Gallic smile off Henry's chops. Bella.

I think Italy deserve to win the final they are the only side that realised the game is about entertainment.
Can you all stop moaning about England were so hard done by: The truth is England just are not good enough to win a competition like this. Maybe the FA should address how we teach youngsters to play fottball and stop our "thump and run tactics once and for all".
Because I for one would not use "the beautiful Game & England in the same sentence after there dismal performances at this world cup.

There's no question really - the best team should win the World Cup, and if that proves to be Italy on the day, then they deserve it. The problems within the game at home shouldn't come into it.
I actually wonder whether all cards received up until now should be wiped out so that both teams can field their strongest team.
I know that all the teams play by the same rules, and all the teams face bad decisions. Unfortunately some of those decisions can turn games, but that is, and always has been, the nature of football. It would be nice to see the strongest team from each nation though.
I'm sad to see lots of foreign contributors saying that us English are poor losers.. to be fair nobody likes losing, and everybody will try to blame somebody else when they do lose. The truth is that, after watching the Italy v Germany match the other night, I was thinking that England wouldn't have lived with either of those teams. Having said that, I didn't feel that way about the two teams last night - we could definitely hold our own with either of those.
Supporters of all four semi-finalists should be proud of their teams - regardless of what other supporters think. The Germans must be particularly proud of a team who were hammered 4-1 by Italy only a few months ago, but who ran them so close, and who played in a manner in which I would have been proud to see the England team play. To be fair, either team involved in that match could have held their heads high regardless of the outcome, because it was played in the right spirit and with passion, and skill, and pace. A wonderful match.
Good luck to both finalists - lets just hope that football is the winner. In the 3/4 final, I hope that Germany win, not because Portugal knocked England out, but because they have put on a magnificent tournament, and the fans deserve it. Also, the players have excelled themselves and have played every game like a final.

i think italy will win

i think italy will win cos my friend alex said they are good.
alex hughes

If Italy dow in the World Cup, it will be BECAUSE of the scandal back home. They are not responsible for it and are out to prove that can win a trophy fairly.

I did not start this tournament as a fan of the Italian game, but after watching their semi against Germany I have been won over. Their attacking play was so refreshing after watching all the dross England produced.

I hope that the guilty clubs do get relegated in Italy, just as divers should get sent off (no matter what team they play for). Cheats should not be allowed to prosper, they bring the game into disrepute, and devalue titles.

However I also hope that Italy win on Sunday, playing as they did Tuesday night, that Henry cuts out the acting and we have a great game of football to remember this tournament by.

Italy to lift the World Cup on Sunday, they have shown courage, determination and pure skill. With a crowd of 50,000 whistling and booing they showed that they can rise above it all. Furthermore, the sportsmanship shown by both the Italian and German players fundamentally shows to the rest of the world how the 'Beautiful game' should be played winners and loosers.

FORZA ITALIA!!!!

Common 大象传媒, just wanted to post my opinion on this blog about Italian press and how FIFA dealt with Frings and it doesn't appear because it's abusive?????
Compared to other bloggers it was pretty mild, or do I have to think you're also biased?

Italy I feel have a great chance to win whatever happens in Italy. They are focused, spirited, skilled and simply brilliant.

I believe Italy may well win 2-0 on sunday butt we shall have to see how they play.

Did I hear the man of the match in the germany game by the english was a german and not CANNAVARO
.

Anyone noticed they did not do the worldcup league in the mirror after they beat germany as that would have shown Italy top.

They are just all upset. nevermind, they just wish they could have been so good. Its that simple.

I think its not fair that everyone's judging the italians because of that penalty shoot against the Australians!I am half italian and I feel like their's hatered from the english and australian fans!Especially on sat night i have noticed some fans were slagging off the italians and i ended up confronting them. I feel as their's racism towards italians.I want the italians to win but i am scared france might beat them! Best wishes to the italians!!!!

I live in England and watching the games on 大象传媒. On every Italy game they remind us of the scandals that are going on back home. Please leave that to 大象传媒 NEWS, we want to watch the game.

On top of it I have to read what the Germans say on Der Spiegel and it is not very funny. The media are very powerful and influence the masses - please bear this in mind.

The final is only a game of football forget about the rest.

Ps: Please stop crying everytime one of your players gets a red card - are we going to see Rooney hanged in effigy this time? Grow up.

I live in England and watching the games on 大象传媒. On every Italy game they remind us of the scandals that are going on back home. Please leave that to 大象传媒 NEWS, we want to watch the game.

On top of it I have to read what the Germans say on Der Spiegel and it is not very funny. The media are very powerful and influence the masses - please bear this in mind.

The final is only a game of football forget about the rest.

Ps: Please stop crying everytime one of your players gets a red card - are we going to see Rooney hanged in effigy this time? Grow up.

@ 'NO' post no.13

no one got Frings banned except for Frings himself. He was was the one that decided to throw a punch, not the Azzurri.

大象传媒, this is a disgrace. An obvious Bella Italia blog, no critical words allowed on the scandal with Frings, you probably delete all the entries with anything in it that smells like it could be critical to Italian newspaper. The Italians are even allowed to post in Capital letters which is pretty rude, don't you think so?
Thanks for that and I just corrected my opinion about 大象传媒.

RE POST 62

At last!!! I was begining to give up hope and start a charity for portugal to provide glasses to the whole nation, as they obviously dont watch the same games as other people on this post do eg pioltasso. Portgual have so many strenghts but they insist on dragging their name through the mud by this attitude of diving. Ronaldo must be one of the most skillful players in the world at the moment, but why does he insist on this ugly side to his game. I am a proffesional referee and also a youth team coach. You have highlighted the main problem, these stars are the kids role models. They dont teach themselves to throw themself on the floor, the learn it off the TV. Over the past 5 years this has got worse in England at youth level, and it is hard as a referee to decide if the kids are genuinly hurt or not. I am responsible for the health and saftey of these kids and makes my job increasingly difficult. they need to be made aware these stars are "educating" the next generation of footballers. So unless FIFA stamps this out, i can only see the problem escolating. Praise to yourself and a honest man who can be proud of his son, he shows more maturity than ronaldo himself

Just make legal for German players to go around punching people, at least they won't have to lobby for suppressing evidence.

I have to admit Grosso had a nice dive against the Aussies... But who would strongly argue that if Materazzi wasn't sent off unjustly, Australia would beat Italy.. Or, if the game went into extra-time or penalties, even with a 10-men Italy...

We are talking about a team, which hasn't let in a single goal from THEIR OPPONENTS so far in 6 games... This, at least, deserves some respect...

I believe they will beat France on Sunday...

FORZA AZZURI

The bile against Italy is a result of all the classic Anglo-saxon mantras and preconceived ideas that Italians are greasy and they cheat and bla bla bla, so even though I'm Scottish I would absolutely love it if they lift the trophy for a 4th time.
In previous world cups(Lineker against Cameroon in 1990, penalty against Argentina in 2002 not to mention others) I've seen England players doing some diving themselfs. But no we dont cheat are you mad.

Hmmm! Looks like England's fans are going to support the team they hate the least... Do not be too negative. I want to apologize for our poor display against Portugal but I disagree when one of you said the final should have been between Germany and Italy. They played the best game of the tournament but France beat Spain + Brazil + the second best team in the last Euro. That deserves a little bit of respect and you would agree that makes a different class of opposition than Australia and Ukraine! Italy are probably the most skillful team in the final but we'll try to do what we did with Spain, Brazil and Portugal: convince them that they never beat us and never will!

34.
At 07:55 AM on 06 Jul 2006,
Italy are cheats wrote:
Italy are a bunch of cheats and it would be a disgrace if they win the world cup. What kind of message would it be sending to the next generation, cheating, diving, bribing are all ok? The end doesn't justify the means.

Before you criticize "Italy are a bunch of cheats " I recommend you should go back to school an learn to write English properly, one can assume from your generalization and poor writing that your are an uneducated imbecile, but I would be wrong to assume that because of you , all your countrymen are also uneducated and imbecile.

On a more positive note, it is going to be Italy vs. France(?) The names in the French team (see below) is built of men from a collection of ex French colonies. These people of Arab and African origin are treated like second class citizens in France, remember the riots last fall all over France? I find the whole thing hypocritical. I think the more appropriate name for this team , should be UNOEFC (United Nations Of Ex French Colonies ). So guys it is Italy against the UNOEFC on Sunday.
My prediction -Italy 2 UNOEFC "France" o

Italy Team

01 G Buffon
19 G Zambrotta
05 F Cannavaro
23 M Materazzi
03 F Grosso
16 M Camoranesi ( V Iaquinta )
20 S Perrotta ( A Del Piero )
08 G Gattuso
21 A Pirlo
10 F Totti
09 L Toni ( A Gilardino )

France Team

16 F Barthez
19 W Sagnol
15 L Thuram
05 W Gallas
03 E Abidal
22 F Ribery ( S Govou )
04 P Vieira
10 Z Zidane
06 C Makelele
07 F Malouda ( S Wiltord )
12 T Henry ( L Saha

to Sib:

FRINGS SAINT NOW
We lost 2 tournaments because we were complaining about referees and video footage while we should have concentrated on how we played on the football pitch.
Learn from your defeats and stop moaning about rules that where applied by FIFA, not by the Italian mafia!

The two issues are not connected and in fact an Italian win would be great for football, not just because of Henris two well executed dives against spain and portugal.
Anthoer thing corruption and financial irregularities occur in other countries, Italy is maybe the worst, maybe, worst at getting caught for sure. But they have taken action in the past relegating big clubs.
Would FA or la liga do the same and relegate Bar莽a or Man U!!!!
I doubt it!!!!!!!!! and go look at their books in detail

Dear all,
My name Patrizia and I live in Napoli. Some northern European would say North Africa, which is a compliment for me :):)
I am used to racism,and I know that it comes from people who are frustrated and live a sad life.
My friends, I would like to remind you that sport competitions should be moments where people feel just happy to be alive! the world should be as one big country! No hate, only joy!
Shame on the German press (not the Germans, they are very nice people) and to whoever offended us.
Italians won because their determination, their passion and also because Lippi improved the spirit of the group, making them feeling like kids playing in a yard and not football superstar.

Remember, the key is in your heart!

Honestly, I seriously hope that foreign press will mount a campaign against Italian team.
Why?
because we give the best of ourselves when we are cornered and because when you are in a football pitch these don't count.
As for the luck that Italy's had in this tournament: it is undeniable but when matches are between two close teams episodes are decisive so luck is always a factor.
Somebody, and I don't remember who, said:"I don't want my children to be clever, I want them to be lucky".
MAY ITALY BE LUCKY SUNDAY

PS I live in the uk and when you guys play football you comment every action, also the ones of the opponents. And when you miss a chance you shout "unlucky" instead of "you missed cos you're not good enough". So Luck counts here as anywhereelse.

The australians call the english "whining pommies", reading the comments on how Australia was badly treated at the WC I think it would be right to pat the head of the Australians ("whining Ozzies" )and telling them how good they were and deservedly they should have reached the final. England was not better, I have not seen England playing well in a long time and if the polemics go without actually identifying the desease it will go on for a long time. I have always been against the Germans and apart few instances, before and after the match, they have been great, they deserved to in the final with Italy as it should be. Italy deserves to be in the final and critics should just grow up and accept the facts that there is a good team in the final unlike all the others that were beaten with the exception of the germans that have not and are not crying like babies.

There will be two good matches on saturday and sunday, I hope that Germany and Italy will win, they have really given everything. Unfortunately BBc will be as usual blind in one eye and only see what they want to see with the remaining eye.

can anyone explain to me why the bbc is no longer as imaprtial as it once was? what makes us brits think that match fixing is a crime committed by johnny foreigner? we are as corrupt as any other nation but we prefer to seek refuge for our football inadequacies by seeking to find excuses for our failure by any means possible, england lost because they were not good enough and italy and france are in the final because they have class, it was a joke to hear shearer say that none of the semi finalists would get into the england team, question is would they want to ?

Mariano Saha is banned for the final

a more interesting issue than the Italian scandal is that Italy has always lost against France in the last 20 years, so have the Germans against the Italians.
History repeating again?
I hope not

FORZA ITALIA

and to all the English supporters who want to give lecture of sport ethics and morality: concentrate on the way you play football instead.
I haven't heard Shearer comment about the finalists but I think he might have been referring to the systematic ability of the England coach to select the worst players to play the WC. How would you justify such and enduring underperformance?

It would be brilliant if Italy won the world cup. I have lost all respect for Henry since his outrageous dives against Spain and Portugal. I know everyone goes on about how the portuguese dive all the time, but i don't think that any of their players actually denied diving. Because Henry dennied the fact that he dived, he doesn't deserve any respect.

I am constantly surprised at the venom/vitriol piled on Italians. What have we done to annoy you English so much. It seems we admire you whilst you despise us. We have always had the good grace to recognise/compliment your successes whilst you rubbish ours. 40 years of failure hangs heavy in your hearts, if you wish to repeat the success of 1966 you should concentrate on improving your game rather than criticising that of others. Forza Italia!!!

I support England passionately but I confess to being embarrassed at their performance in this world cup. I lay the blame firmly at Eriksson's door in allowing players themselves to dictate how the team should look and play. I have the utmost admiration for the way Germany approached the tournament and especially Klinsmans attitude in defeat. Having seen the Italians play they have to be admired. They have actually got better and better as the tournament has progressed and there should be only one winner for me.

Just some more things I would like to add as a German fan:

First, once again all congratulations to Italy for your victory. I and probably most German fans with a few days distance now would say they deserved it, and I'm going to support them in the final.

Second: The Frings incident was rightly dealt with by Fifa, no matter who published it first (although he didn't start the fight, let's get that straight). Here is the (German).

The great way of playing soccer of the Italian team and the scores on the field mean only one thing: the football players are CLEAN. They're not involved in a scandal of menager and referees. The Italian are very disappointed by this football scandal, but your question is a false question.

The English Media really have no respect at all do they!!

I'd like to get a few things off my chest here:

1. The apparent Grosso "Dive" - I thought if a player was obstructed or brought down in the penalty area they were awarded a penalty? I really can not see how any one is disputing that? Agreed he wasn't hacked down but O'Neil clearly knew what he was doing! Funny how such a big thing is made of this and yet there was NOTHING in the English press about Gerrards pathetic dive against Hungary in the Pre-World Cup Friendly!?

2. The Frings Banning - He was quite clearly seen punching Julio Cruz, he deserved to be banned!! Funny how Italians are getting persecuted for so say raising this to FIFA, but what about the Danes during Euro 2004 when they sent video footage of the Totti spitting incident? Not for one minute am I having a go at the Danes, Totti deserved to be banned. You trying to tell me that wouldn't be all over the 大象传媒 website and on the front of every National newspaper if an incident like that happened against England?

3. Joe (point 28)- You ever watched football pal? How can you say France play the beautifual game !? They've scraped through every game! Henry has been quiet and without Zidane (a true great) they wouldn;t even have got out of the groups! As for Italy playing "Pushy, Choppy, Unattractive football", Grow up, another bitter English fan!

FORZA ITALIA, VAI AZZURRI !!

Wow!! Isn't soccer grand? No partisan thinking here...just clear, objective analysis. Ridiculous. Any attempt to offer summative analysis on any team that plays and survives six difficult matches on the World Cup stage will undoubtedly result in a list of positive and negative moments. Is there a team that ever made it to the Final without leaving some bitter opponents behind? Never! This is soccer...games are often decided by a goal and therefore we can always point to twenty incidents during the game that "could have", "should have", "might have" mattered. Is Italy any different--I don't think so. Did grosso trip over the Aussie? Yes! Was he tripped by the Aussie? Probably not. Should he have walked up to the referee and asked him to reverse the call? Would any team? Would Ronaldo? Rooney? Zidane? No, they would have walked to the penalty spot and taken their chances.

Give the Italian side some credit. i think many fans are more angry that they didn't show up with their boring, defend at all costs game. This team actually made them sit and think up some new criticisms and it seems that being forced to think has angered some pundits.

As an Italian fan, I can say without reservation, I will miss the German side. They were skilled and entertaining and my original choice to be in the final against Brazil. Win or lose, Italy has proven they deserve to be here. Not one German player has come forward and tried to blame anyone for anything. They have stoically accepted the result and i think many sides at this cup have much to learn from them.

If Italy were to finish second, it is my wish that they comport themselves in a similar manner to the Klinsmann squad. At least, this way, I can remain proud of these men after the games are over.

Remo

Once again: why are you not publishing my comment with the link to the Frings-video? Free press!

well its surprising that no one is really blaming rooney for anything..he has become an untouchable saint. I wonder how british media would have reacted if one of their player was trampled on groin.Its just a case of bad loosers

大象传媒 sports and even their national news always seem's to favour england to other nations within the UK. always more time, more coverage and even send their reporters to any venue which engalnd are appearing. i've always assumed that one television licence covers the whole UK? right or wrong? if i'm right why do we suffer with blatant biased coverage? any answers from the 大象传媒 bigwigs would be welcomed.

I'm an italian fan who love english football: you have wonderful stadiums, wonderful shirts, stadiums without barriers, fish and chips before the match, fair play...
But every 4 years, when it's World Cup time you changes and become arrogant and unbearable, polite fans become violent hoolingas who swallow beer all day long.
You feel superior, but it's untrue, you are only arrogant.
You didn't attend World Cup before 1950 because, for you, other teams was too weak, but in your first World Cup match against USA you lost 1-0.
You reach your only World Cup final in 1966 (at home) when you robbed the germans with a "ghost goal" by Geoff Hurst that only the soviet assistant saw. You failed to qualify in 1974, 1978 and 1994. In 1990 you reached the semifinals robbing Cameroon in the quarter - finals, and in 1998 and 2006 you lost fair play too. In 1998 Beckham was sent off against Argentina and few days ago Rooney walked above Carvalho's balls, you can't point the finger at other teams with respect to fair play, or diving, you equal other countries!
Now, in Italy there is the scandal, ok: it seems that player aren't involved and the teams will pay for their mistakes.
You must be happy because all the best players who currently play in Italy will go abroad, in your league too and the italian league will become a lot alike dutch or belgian first division.
We deserve to be in the Berlin final, we defeat the host, playing under the german whistles. We played the additional time with 4 forwards (is this catenaccio?): Gilardino, Del Piero, Iaquinta, Totti and a offensive midfielder like Pirlo. We also hit two posts!
Luckily the World Cup is ending and I can start to love english football again!

P.S. I apologize for my bad english but I'm a "spaghetti-eater" anyway!

FORZA AZZURRI!

Why do u support France just because of Zidane? He pays you? The WC is about the team and the nation it represents.

No one can deny Italy did a great job. And on that note Italy deserves to be in the Finals and also deserves to win the Cup if they keep their form.

As for France, they came thru the 2nd round due to technicalities of game points..in fact they owe it to the Swiss who bailed them out. Had they been kicked out of the 1st round, its to no one's regret. There are other teams who actually deserve more than France to pass into the 2nd round.

Sure, the French team picked itself up in the victory over Spain and Brazil. But Brazil's match was really because the sambal boys didnt play well on that day. France came into the semis on the back of Zidane and a poorly-performed Brazilian team, who now has to face the music at home.

Zidane is already a towering figure in the football world, with or without the WC. But i have already made up my mind to go with Italy, for this team (in this tournament) has given the football world a feast. France on the other hand is veying for the Cup based on nostalgia sake (you mean because they are retiring they have the right to be in the finals) or Zidane's sake (because he's Zidane?). Thats not right. If i were to adopt your attitude, then i would like to put my choice behind other teams such as Germany, Argentina: teams that worked hard, really believed in themselves, had the potential but ultimately lacked that little bit of fortune which France had. These teams deserve more than France to be in its spot right now.

To my knowledge, none if the Italy players have any involvment in the match-fixing scandal. They are not to blame for the calcio shambles.

And since Italy were by far the most solid AND entertaining squad of the tournament, they surely are worthy of success come Sunday.

The good thing about being an Inter Milan fan will be being able to go to watch AlbinoLeffe - Juventus in serie C next year.
How could I miss it?

WC is another story.
FORZA ITALIA

This blog is too Italy sided.
Where can I find a blog where I could exchange some the good old football verbal abuse?

Dear Sam, you seem to forget that
Vieira, Trezeguet and Vieira play for Juventus, Zidane and Henry played also there few years ago. Will they deserve to win the world cup if France win ? Come on, that's pure nonsense.
By the way, both teams deserved to reach the final, France slammed the champs, Brazil, and Italy outperformed the vice-champs, at their home. Both teams showed glimpse of beautiful play, but they were inconsistent.
It will be a replica of Euro 2000 final, when Italy played better but France scored at the 90th minute, and then a golden goal gave then the European title. I hope that this time the team that plays best will win, not the luckiest.

Dear Pilotasso,
I have to take objection to your very bullish attitude vis-a-vis Portugals diving. Let me mention at this early point that I am Irish and so bear absolutely no love for the English football team. Quite the contrary. Also, I have been watching the games on Irish television thereby not being exposed to the bias of the 大象传媒 commentators and panel, with which I am well familiar from past appearances. I was willing to give Portugal the benefit of the doubt until last nights performance against France, which was a bit of a disgrace. I'm afraid much of the world is now laughing at Portugals expense, having seen the diving antics of various Portuguese players. Saying that every team does it from time to time is true, but its like comparing someone who has an odd glass of wine after a meal with a raging alcoholic given to drinking binges (Something we Irish also know something about ;-) And the first step in tackling alcoholism is acknowledging you have a problem..

I do really hope that Italy do win as they are much better than France who have me falling asleep each time I watch them.

I am French. Ok now that is out of the way I would like to reply to the messages from people saying that France shouldn't be in the final because many other teams were better. Well if that was really the case, they would be in the final wouldn't they? France and Italy are in the final not because they were lucky (many times over) but because they played an international game that is better than the other teams. So here it is FRANCE - ITALY and may the best team win, allez les Bleus!!!!!

The_Gent

"3. Thankfully, corruption is being dealt with properly in Italy."

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

If Italy wins on Sunday, nothing will happen. All the fat cats will get some symbolic punishment and that's it. Ever seen a mafia trial? THey are dragged along until the suspects, get free because the crime is time-barred.

It's too much money in there and too much corrupton in this country.A success will gloss over it.

Italy may have a good team, but they can't score (needed four strikes against Germany, still needed 2 hours) and one good match in a semi doesn't make them a winner.

And one sees they all have to exuse something

- Grossos penalty
- the Frings incident (Totti spit with no one standing arround him, it was his idea, whereas Fings was surrounded by 30 men and got hit first - they always only show where he reacts to the punch)

Somehow Italy always benefited, sure no Italian will complain about that. But boy, would it be vice versa, we would see some bad blood here.

Lastly and sadly: a team that sports a guy like de Rossi (who didn't even apologize to McBride "I'll go always into men like this, with my elbows flying out.") shouldn't win anything.

ALLES LES BLEUS

Four years ago when we Italians were knocked out of the world cup in 2002 by several awful decisions in favour of the host nation, the english were the first to call us whingers and we had a taste of sour grapes in our mouths. Yet four years on I hear english commentators and journalists say due to Australia's manager "what goes around comes around". Meaning that the Italians were hard done by four years ago and the manager got his come uppance. You english may of invented the game, but my how you know to destroy it also. You always seem to want to make other nations feel small and embarassed by calling names them names when I bet you eat more Italian food than english cos who wants to eat fish and chips everyday anyway. Look at yourselves and look at yourselves properly cos if I was an english man I would feel very small and very embarassed. I don't know what other national newspapers say about there national teams, but I'm sure it's not as bad as the english ones. You destroy your team instead of supporting and helping them, you set people up to show that there not worthy of managing or playing for their teams only to get the biggest story in the papers. You look deep to find scandal and wrong doings, and then when you get knocked out of the tournaments you quickkly try and find the reasons and blames. You are now the whingers in this world cup, you are now the sour grapes tasters and you are now and all ways will be not good enough to win any tournanment let alone the worlld cup. You've put that one star on englandshirts to say "hey look what we done 40 years ago and nothing since" well done!
Italy have 3 stars and Sunday it will be increased past the Germans and closer to Brazil, what do you think about that then?
We've proved all our critics wrong in this world cup, and at some points our own which are never as bad as yours about your national team. We beat Germany in style and with class and quality that english players dream of doing but always wake up after the nightmare.
Don't crucify your neighbours but take note and learn of how things on the pitch should be done.
As for the Ronaldo incident, stop whinging and blamiming him for your squad failing. You see four years after our exit we wanted to prove that it was a wrong doing, reaching the final of the world cup 2006 has proved that us Italians let the football do the talking!

Mauro (Fan of the Italia 2006 World Cup Winners)

Greetings from New Jersey.
Couple of comments:

Goal of the tournament.
大象传媒 website has a top 10 goals of the tournament competition - and OK, Maxi's goal against Mexico is in there. Beautiful, but 2nd best.

Where is Zidane to Henry in the 83rd minute against Brazil? Clearly #1.
Are these people watching the same World Cup as I am?

Second - ESPN presenters and pundits - Julie Fowdy & Eric Wynalda are head and shoulders above anything on 大象传媒/ITV. The US may not yet play the beautiful game, but they are starting to understand the beautiful game.

OK, let's look at the facts. So far in Italy they still investigate and plan to name those involved soon. And so far they only talk about managers and referees. So since the players don't seem to be involved, why shouldn't the be allowed to win. The bigger problem would be if a WC win would be used to just "forget" about the scandal afterwards and not continue the investigation, but I honestly don't think that will happen. We in Germany had a scandal too not so long ago and they got the guys and locked them up. As long as money is involved in sports there might be people doing dirty tricks. Even in 1919 already in the US baseball league players took money to throw a game. As long as those involved are held responsible, why should the others be punished. And actually most of the Italian players will be punished. Indirectly. Because if their club is put in a lower league they either have to play there or find a new club. So if I were one of them I would actually have quite some reason to win this cup: anger. Form a plain football perspective, I really don't know if I want France to win or Italy. Both teams have great players. So I just hope it will be a great game to watch. And since we don't have a French restaurant here in town, I'll most likely watch it at my favorite Italian restaurant. Will be fun... :-)

OK--this is off topic but I do have a question for all of you. In the England-Portugal game, Rooney stepped on the Portugal player, the referee and others arrived, the ref was writing something down, Ronaldo arrived gesticulating wildly (actually behaving normal for him), Rooney pushed him and turned to the ref, the ref fumbles in his pocket and pulls a red card.

1. Don't referees brandish the red immediately after the foul? What was the dramatic pause?

2. Was he actually giving Rooney the red for pushing Ronaldo? Did he then change his story upon viewing video after the game.

I haven't really seen anything comparable but if you watch the footage the ref wasnt even looking at Rooney until after the push on Ronaldo. Any other ref would have had hand in pocket immediately if the Rooney step was actually the motivation. I even thought he was awarding the ball to England as the two players were all over Rooney at the time.

Interesting to hear other input--please no conspiracy theories--I personally feel the ref was reacting to the push on Ronaldo and not the step. Also why wasnt Ronaldo carded? FIFA held meetings to state that players simulating cards or demanding them would be carded as well but noone has.

People seem to think its non-football skills that win matches - getting players banned, diving etc. Stop making excuses guys

1. Ronaldo got Rooney sent off. England had a perfect opportunity to win - by scoring 5 penalties. They didnt do it. Why blame Ronaldo?

Rooney did stamp the Portugese player's groin. Its clear as daylight on the replays. What do you want? You would rather the ref did not notice it? Then what's the difference between you and the 'divers'?

2. ITA got Frings banned. Frings could have been injured and then who would you have blamed? Germany would still have to have a game plan to play without its key players. Thats what the game is about.

Grow up guys. By and large the right 4 teams got into the semis - the ones that scored as well as saved goals.

Ialy never wins against france 1978 nad it wouldn't change.
France deserve to win and all the team will be 200% because we feel that they want to bring the cup for their capitain before he leaves .
Allez les bleues

It kills me to see how many "fans" know so little about the game of soccer and its rules.

First, those of you suggesting Frings would have made the difference and would have taken the Germans to the finals are really digging for excuses. Frings is not an all-star player, and while he contributes, is far from the team leader he is being made out to be. Germany had their leader, Ballack, as well as most of their starters on when Italy defeated them. Come on, really, Frings would have won the game for Germany? If he gave reason to be barred, then he should be.

Second, the dive over "the prostrate body" of Neill. Neil's body was anything but prostrate. He moved as the player was running overtop of him. As a referee that has referred for over 15 years at the national level, that is a clear penalty kick. You do not make exceptions. The rule says any penal offense commited in the box results in a PK. Not "if there are ten seconds left and it is not a hard foul, let the play on."

My advice to many of you, take time, read FIFA rules, and gie Italy a break. They deserve to be where they are.

Anybody believes no player was involved in the scandal?

"People seem to think its non-football skills that win matches"

Well, Italy benefited from wrong decisions against other teams several times this year. You can't swipe this away with some excuses.

AND the only really good match they had in the Semis. Hardly a good record.

Just excuses from the Italians.

You don't have to defend your team, when you know it is wrong. You were incredibly lucky this year. Just don't take it as a god given.

Alles les bleus

Frings would not have won the game by himself; such a notion is absurd. However his partnership with Ballack was the hard-working engine in what was a lively German midfield.

Ballack and Frings had honed their midfield partnership with great effect; Frings was by a distance the man of the match against Argentina. The man who came into replace Frings, Basti Kehl, had played less than fifty minutes prior to his being in the starting line-up for the Italy game.

I agree it's no good offering excuses, but it is a factor. I don't think anyone can disagree with Ballack looked like a shadow of his usual self.

About the Frings incident, we all have to accept that he did swipe at Cruz. A powder puff swipe, but a swipe all the same. The one thing that can be learned from this is that as soon as you beat the likes of Argentina you should just walk straight back to the dressing room. I wouldn't even bother shaking hands with them for fear they might cook up a brawl.

italians cheat with football? english cheat with wars and kill innocent people! italian mafia? have you ever contracted an english plumber? do me a favour, watch the game on Sunday and enjoy some good football

The scandal going on in Serie A involves the fat cats and directors of the teams ( Juve, Lazio, Fiorentina and Milan) not the players. Ask the prosecutors if you don't believe this as the trial has already started!If we were to go down that road France wouldn't deserve to win either as half their squad currently plays or has played for Juve in the past 3-4 years, even the wonderfull zizou! Buffon's troubles were to do with betting which is not allowed for sportsmen in Italy( crazy law in my opinion), not the corruption and match rigging. Ask Don Moggi! You better hope that Messers Owen, Rooney and Terry don't move to Italy! They'd all end up in the nick! The british media is very selective with the news it reports! Secondly i am so fed up with the stereotype of catenaccio that Italy is always labelled with. In extra time against germany lippi made the decision to play with 3 up front with Totti behind!! (Hererra would be turning in his grave). How is that negative? D'ya think Eriksson would have been that brave? And Martin O'Neill going on about how they have got no pace. I forgot Zambrotta and Gila used zimmer frames! He's just annoyed that Italian teams always knock Celtic out of the Champions league! Thank god there is Leonardo at 大象传媒 to give Italy some support!The ragazzi have a great team spirit and don't depend on one player to score ( look at what happened to Brazil, England etc ). Look at Grosso, Zambrotta etc. The negative comments made by the german media has just made them stronger!
Forza Ragazzi, forza Ringhio, sei un mito!