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Forza Italia! Vive La France!
*This post comes from Austinist Special World Cup Correspondent Ben Gardner, Co-Host of KOOP’s SoccerMad, who is in Germany for this year’s Cup.*
“Monsieur, would you like the Chocolate Croissant or the Brie and Grapes?” As you blow smoke rings and sip on your café au lait, you answer that a snifter of brandy will be all you need. As the waiter smiles and walks away, a warm breeze blows off the ocean as if to say, “Ahh, Le joie de vie.”
Mangia! Mangia! You wonder what could possibly come next. Is it more fresh pasta? Perhaps some fragola gelato? Or is it time for the espresso and tiramisu? You awake on a train to Florence, or is it Nice? Care. Life is Beautiful.
Italy and France. The world leaders in culture, food, and fashion, and this Sunday, one of them will be crowned the champion of world football. Italy has won three world titles, but only one since 1938. That came in 1982 when, after a slow start, Paulo Rossi caught fire, scoring six consecutive goals to lead Italy to the world title. Twenty-four years later the Italian domestic league is in shambles. Bribery and match fixing allegations are threatening to destroy one of the world’s great leagues. In spite of this, the Italians have found their form.
In typical Italian style, their defense has been rock solid, conceding only one goal in the tournament, an own goal against the United States. Gigi Buffon, the Italian goalkeeper, has been outstanding, proving why he is the best keeper in the world. Andrea Pirlo has been the playmaker, setting up the offense with his brilliant control and vision. The semifinal against Germany will go down as one of the classic games in world cup history. An exciting, end-to-end game that seemed destined for penalties, snatched at the brink of death by the brilliance of Pirlo and leftback, Fabio Grosso. Grosso’s maniacal expression as he stormed down the field after scoring the match winner will be forever etched in the minds of all those who love world football.
There can not be much argument made that the Fench semifinal victory over Portugal was fairly forgettable. But there can be little debate about the fact that Zinedine Zidane is the greatest player in the world. No one who saw the quarterfinal match between France and Brazil will ever forget the incredible performance of the French master. At age 34, playing in what might have been his last game, Zidane summoned his greatest performance. He controlled the ball and the game, rendering the world champions defenseless. He showed all his tricks, and then when it came time to score the winning goal, he placed a perfect free kick on the foot of Thierry Henry.
Behind Zidane, the French defense has been superb. The Brazilians did not manage a shot on goal until late in the second half. Veterans Lilian Thuram, Willy Sagnol, and Claude Makelele have turned back the clock, raising their form to an extraordinary level. Every time the Brazilians attacked, someone was there to steal the ball or block a shot. In their first game of the second round, the French fell behind to Spain on a bogus penalty call. At that moment something changed. Since then they have been inspired, scoring five goals without conceding a single one. Have they run out of magic, or is their captain destined to end his career as world champion?
Chianti and Bordeaux, Pasta and Éclairs. How can you go wrong. Italy and France for the title. It should be a classic.
If you care to join Austinist and our Soccer Mad friends in viewing the world cup final, please meet at Ringer’s Sports Bar at 5th and Colorado. We’ll be the ones eating gelato, talking on the cell phones with our mothers and chain smoking cigarettes. You know, the Italian supporters. The Match will be Sunday at 1:00 pm. Ciao.
If you love soccer, or would like to learn more about it, check out Ben Gardner and Chris Gaffney on Soccer Mad, every Monday at 2:30 pm on 91.7 fm KOOP or online.
