World Cup: Italy vs. France

Man, that was a fast 30 days, but the World Cup final is here. Italy and France will vie for global supremacy in the world's most popular sport.

Few would have predicted this final. True, both are soccer powers with long, distinguished histories. Both are strong in all the important departments — depth, defense, and the ability to score. And both possess the necessary experience required to navigate through a treacherous six games to the final.

France started slowly, but found their stride at the most opportune time, against the Spanish. That momentum carried right through to their next game, their best game, when they eliminated prohibitive favorite Brazil. France was in cruise control in the semis against Portugal, but it was good enough to get here.

By contrast, Italy has had several peaks and valleys as opposed to the elliptical ride France took. The Italians were average against the United States and Australia, good against Ghana, the Czechs and Ukraine, but saved their best for last as they ousted the seemingly unstoppable host nation Germany.

Despite their different form, the two teams are remarkably similar. Both are more defensive oriented teams that are comfortable sitting back, relying on their outstanding defenses. And they mirror each other on offense as well, as they prefer to play a counter-attacking style rather than possession oriented buildup.

Each is stable in the middle of the field. Central defense is a strong point for both. Both teams possess quality defensive midfielders as well as attacking ones. And both play with solitary strikers that are capable of finishing.

One main difference between the two is in goal. Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon is an absolute rock, while Frenchman Fabien Barthez is anything but. Any time there is a shot on goal, Les Bleus fans hold their breath, and rightly so. Barthez has looked every bit his inconsistent self, but fortunately for France it has not caught up with them ... yet.

For the most part, every single game in the knockout rounds has been close, and I wouldn't expect anything different now. It will probably be a tight game with few chances, and odds are one goal will probably win it. I think Zinedine Zidane's hollywood ending is trumped by Italy's quality, and the Azzurri get their fourth World Cup title.