Azzurri Triumph!

Wow, what an incredible semi-final game betwen Germany and Italy! 120 minutes of tough, defensive soccer with a few great offensive plays in the mix. The two teams battled like champions for two hours to decide the first entrant to the finals. When the game looked like it was heading to a penalty kick shootout (where Germany held the decisive edge), Italy pulls out a shock game-winner; a brilliant goal from Grosso to (just) beat the keeper. And the Italians go on to win 2-0.

Today, the other finalist will be decided between the diving thespians of Portugal or the old (but not too old) men of France. I put my money on France. Portugal has not showed me enough attacking mentality to score off the run of play, while France has shown stout defense, a revived (indeed, posessed) Zinedine Zidane and a potent offense with the world's best player at the front.

Hopefully, one of these teams can win it in 90 minutes, these overtimes and shootouts are wearing my nerves thin!