ITALY - FRANCE PREVIEW

IN THE YEAR 2000....

Conan: France and Italy will play each other for the European Football Championship. France will win with a goal in extra time. They'll meet again in 2006 at the World Cup Final. The loser will be sent to Mars. In the year 2000....

It looks to me like Italy have to face the one team they didn't want to face, a team that bears quite a resemblance to their own: world-class players at every position, seasoned veterans of the international scene, a watertight defense, great tactical knowledge, a superstar forward, no discernible weaknesses, and currently in top form. Let's face it, these are the two best teams at the World Cup, at least two of the 3 best if you include Argentina. Brazil were flat from start to finish and coach Parreira was too stubborn in his tactics, England were overrated again and also managerially inept, Germany and Portugal overachieved, Holland abandoned their typical flair for butchery, and Spain once again showed they can't handle the favorites tag. So here we are with a most appropriate final, though I would have LOVED an Argentina-Italy semi-final, the result of which I couldn't predict. Anyway, both France and Italy deserve to be here without question. Unfortunately for Italy France are something of a recent nemesis, having knocked the Azzuri out of France 98 on penalties and beaten them dramatically in the final at Euro 2000. Further back, they also beat them at the 1986 World Cup. This time however I predict a different result, for the simple reason that the current Italy squad is better than the 98 and 00 outfits, while the French squad is not as good as those former, glorious championship sides. Let's break them down piece by piece.

Form: France struggled in a weak group but have since beaten three high quality sides: Spain, Brazil, Portual. They have 8 goals for, 2 against. The only two conceded were a late cracker by Korea and a stupid penalty against Spain.

Italy came out of a pretty tough group, although they did struggle against a desperate USA squad. Their first two knockout opponents were not nearly as difficult as France's(Australia and Ukraine), but they did beat the Aussies with 10 men, however dubiously, crushed Ukraine and saw off the mighty hosts in style. They have 11 goals for, 1 against, and that 1 was an own-goal.

Edge: Tie. Want to give it to Italy but have to call it a tie due to the quality of France's knockout opponents and the relative ease with which they handled them.

Attack: Henry has played alone up front for France in every game except the Togo match when they paired him with Trezeguet in a quest for goals. He's done pretty well considering his lone status with three goals and winning a penalty that won the semi-final. He is also, quite simply, the most complete striker in the entire world. Trezeguet is not likely to see time unless France need an equaliser and Saha has been suspended on two yellow cards. Viera has shown a willingness to push forward from midfield and is deadly in the air, Zidane is back to his old quarterback role and Ribery loves to run at people.

Luca Toni only has two goals but the Sicilian could have a lot more and his physical presence and powerful shot inspire fear in defenders. Gilardino was initially a starter but came off the bench against Germany along with Del Piero, Totti looks just about back to full form, and the fullbacks have surged forward with Grosso and Zambrotta scoring key goals in the knockout rounds.

Edge: Italy. Very close but this Italian team's willingness to push forward gives them the edge over France's slightly more conservative approach, though maybe that will suit the French just fine.

Midfield: Zidane is going out with a bang, Ribery is a constant menace on the wing, Viera has been tremedous going forward but especially in marking and tackling, and Makelele is just amazing in the stopper's role.

Pirlo has been outstanding in the 'Zidane' role for Italy, Gattuso is his usual bullish self, Camoranesi has impressed and Totti seems to be improving every game.

Edge: France. Want to call it even but this is Zidane's last game and he'll probably play his huge heart out.

Defense: France have world-class Gallas, the athletic Abidal, Former World's best defender and still quite good Thuram, and energetic Sagnol, not to mention the cover of midfield defensive stalwarts Viera and Makelele.

Italy have the incomporable Cannavaro which is really all they need but they also call on the attack-minded Grosso and Zambrotta, and bad-boy Materazzi who got sent off against Australia. Also helps to have Gattuso running around like a nutter.

Edge: Even. In strictly defensive terms it's even, but Italy's forward-minded fullbacks give them an extra dimension.

Goalie: Barthez is short, has poor hands, nearly blew the Portugal game, and is frankly a liability.

Buffon is arguably the best goalie in the world.

Edge: Italy by a mile, and this difference could prove France's undoing because Toni will certainly get off a bullet or two in Barthez's direction, something which Portugal only did once.

Intangibles: Italy did not want to meet France in my opinion. The country is currently embroiled in a domestic football scandal that involves clubs of many of these national team players, and they'll feel a huge amount of pressure to come good against their European rivals. Like the English, Italy don't handle pressure well. See Baggio at USA 94. France have defied most expectations in getting here, know the formula for beating Italy, seem to be having fun, and will be bidding farewell to Zidane and other members of their greatest ever generation(Makelele and Thuram too will retire I think, as should Barthez).

Edge: France.

Overall Edge: Italy. This is almost too close to call but I really feel that Italy are the best team at this tournament. France's 3 knockout opponents were impressive but the Italians have no weaknesses they can exploit. I see it going 1-0 to Italy on a Luca Toni header, possibly 2-0 if Barthez produces another of his patented "saves." Unless of course the game goes to penalties, in which case Italy will certainly choke. I have no real preference for who wins. Normally I hate Italy but their classy players and offensive style have really impressed me at this tournament. Farewell to Zizou, the greatest player of our generation. Very soon they'll be calling young midfield maestros "the next Zidane" and we'll all know why.