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La Gran Final

July 6th, 2006 | By: John | 11 Comments »

After a month-long feast of the beautiful game, the world cup will culminate with a rematch of the fantastic Euro 2000 Final between France and Italy. If I said that one team used a strong defense, bruising midfielders, and an opportunistic attack to score goals, which team would I be describing? Most folks would say Italy, of course. But not this time. The French have tempered their usual attacking style with more defensive gameplans. It hasn’t been pretty, but it sure has worked. On the other hand, the Italians have played with great flair at times, and their ability to shut down attacks was elevated to an art form, exemplified by their virtuoso performance in the semi-finals.

The best part of the final is that we get to see the greatest player of the last 10 years leave the game on the biggest stage. I don’t really have an emotional stake for either team, but as I told my wife last night, I will root for France because I want Zizou to go out a champion. She will be rooting for Italy because “they’re the best looking team in the tournament.” I don’t think she means their style of play, though.

And a touch of trivia for you folks. France and Italy last met in a world cup in 1998, at St. Dénis, in the quarterfinals. A PK win by france after a 0-0 draw. My question to you is… what stadium was the venue for their previous world cup meeting?

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Comments

By Sam | July 6th, 2006 at 7:15 pm

Answer: June 17 1986, in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.

It was during the round of 16, after Italy had come out 2nd place in group A and France had come out second place in group C. France won the game 2-0, and went on to lose to W. Germany in the semis.

Next!

Posted from United States

By John | July 6th, 2006 at 8:53 pm

It was not the Estadio Azteca — it was Mexico 68 (olympic stadium), present home of Pumas UNAM

Posted from United States

By Sam | July 6th, 2006 at 9:22 pm

I guess I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the Estadio Azteca is the name of the 1968 Olympic Football stadium.

Mexico City has (I think) only two football stadiums: Estadio Azteca and Estadio Azul. Azul hasn’t had any world cup matches played within it.

The wikipedia article on the stadium, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Azteca, says that it was built specifically for the 1968 olymipcs.

Posted from United States

By John | July 6th, 2006 at 9:32 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Ol%C3%ADmpico_Universitario

It’s in Ciudad Universitaria, or CU. During the 86 world cup, it was the co-venue for the group with Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria, and S.Korea.

The Azteca was used for Olympic soccer as well.

Posted from United States

By Sam | July 6th, 2006 at 9:39 pm

Ah! That explains it.

Good trivia question! The host city was easy, but I didn’t know about the stadium.

Anyway, I’m NOT hoping for a replay of that match… Let’s hope the German stadium is luckier for the Azzuri than the Mexican!

Posted from United States

By Rene | July 7th, 2006 at 12:13 am

This was quite an underwhelming World Cup, to be quite honest. For the most part, tactics dictated the matches instead of skill, and too much emphasis was placed on being cautious.

The Orange was not clockwork, Brazil played “Jogo Feio”, Portugal was the Olympic diving team, etc. etc.

The few highlights in my opinion:

a) Spain’s goal against Ukraine were Puyol shed defenders as if he had a teflon uniform.

b) Mexico vs. Argentina

c) Zizou’s performance against Brazil

d) The extra 30 minutes in the Germany – Italy match.

That’s way too little for a world cup.

There were no Bebeto-Romario partnerships, no genius displays like those of Hagi, Maradona or Stoitchkov, no incredible and fast paced teamplay like that of the Netherland’s in 1998.

This has been probably as dull a World Cup as that from 1990. A complete oposite to those that came before them (1982 and 1986 with those incredible Brazilian, French or Argentinian teams) and obviously nowhere near the mythical Netherlands team of 1974 or Brazilian team of 1970, probably the pinnacle of modern football.

By steve | July 7th, 2006 at 4:00 pm

you r crazy

Posted from United States

By Rene | July 7th, 2006 at 7:21 pm

Care to elaborate Steve?

Who is crazy and why?

By hotshotzz | July 8th, 2006 at 12:59 am

steve is on acid.

Posted from United States

By Davizinho | July 8th, 2006 at 1:27 am

pinnacle of modern soccer..wow…i dont know where that can be measured..but i think the 98 world cup was a very good cup..

Posted from United States

By Bulgatti | July 11th, 2006 at 2:14 am

Come one guys, stop the quarrel!!! It was a very impressing World Cup, you can deny it. Maybe we didn’t get to see what we expected for each of our National Teams, but in the old days there weren’t that many talents around. Eventually Pele, Maradona and other great players revolutionized the whole soccer mentality of playing. It’s like the NBA. In the old days Magic we the unstopable until Michael Jordan came in with a new style of playing. Now every single player play similar but there will never be another Magic or Jordan. There is just too many talents in the NBA and the competition is very hard. The same with soccer, there are just too many stars from Europe and Latin American to Africa, and Asia.

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