It's got to be France for me, Dukey.

I have a long-standing hatred of the Azzurri - goes back to their run to the World Cup final in 1994, where (Roberto Baggio aside) they looked incredibly average throughout, relying on Maldini's disgraceful professional foul to edge past Nigeria and Tassotti's elbow against Spain, which should have resulted in a red card and a penalty.

Then there's Totti's histrionics in the South Korea game in 2002 - a game which, despite the "experimental" refereeing, the Italians deserved to lose because of their entirely negative approach at 1-0 against a vastly inferior team - and his flobbing at Euro 2004 of course.

Then there was Italy's aggression and gamesmanship against the USA, and that penalty v Australia - can't help but want them to lose, however talented they are.

France, on the other hand - well, you have Henry's antics against Puyol (after Puyol had kicked him all over the park in the Champs League final and Aragones calling him a "black s**t") and little else to complain about - they've been one of the fairest, least dishonest teams in the tournament for me.

Apart from that, the greatest player of his generation having one of the best World Cup performances I've ever seen against Brazil, and so many of the best players of their time - Makelele, Vieira, Henry, Barthez, Thuram - having a great chance to end their international careers on a massive high, and set the seal on the greatness of that generation of players.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot on July 6th 2006 at 11:11:55

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