OFFSIDE REMARKS It was a World Cup to forget
The World Cup was supposed to be soccer's great showpiece? You've got to be kidding me.
OFFSIDE REMARKS Mikey Awards honor the dubious and unusual, and even some of the best of the World Cup
After a month of end-to-end games and even some non-stop soccer action once in awhile, here's a special edition of the Mikey Awards, which honors the dubious, unusual and the good, bad and ugly of a rather unremarkable World Cup:
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE Zidane has seen red before
French captain Zinedine Zidane has been there before, getting red-carded at the most inopportune times in an otherwise star-studded career.
NO FAIRY TALE ENDING FOR ZIDANE, FRANCE Italy wins World Cup in pks
Italy outlasted France in penalty kicks to win its fourth World Cup title Sunday night. The Italians captured the penalty-kick shootout, 5-3, after playing to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time in front of a sellout crowd of 69,000 at Olympic Stadium.
FORZA ITALIA Italy outlasts France, captures 4th World Cup
Italy outlasted France in penalty kicks to win its fourth World Cup title Sunday night. The Italians captured the penalty-kick shootout, 5-3, after playing to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time in front of a sellout crowd of 69,000 at Olympic Stadium.
DEAR DIARY -- SUNDAY Going full circle and making it an even 100
As this writer reaches a milestone, he looks back on how his World Cup experience started in Mexico some 20 years ago.
THE AZZURRI'S EDGE Ex-Metro Matthaeus likes Italy in finale
He has played in more games (25) and world Cups (five) than any field player and in the 76-year history of the tournament. So, when former Germany World Cup champion captain Lothar Matthaeus speaks, people isten. On Friday, the former MetroStar reminded reporters that he had picked Italy and Argentina to meet in the final.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Foes bring pair of disparate styles to the final
For the musically inclined, this year's World Cup final pits the golden oldies fanatics against the opera buffs. On one end of Olympic Stadium field tonight will stand aging, but talented French team, playfully dubbed "The Rolling Stones," by their most ardent fans because they are old, but keep coming back for more. On the other side will stand the cunning Italians, whose World Cup is playing out like a classic opera. The management has been caught in an embarrassing match-fixing scandal that threatens to relegate those clubs of which most of the players belong. In an classic opera timing, a decision could come as early as Monday.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR On France, Italy in the final
Here’s a quick overview on what to expect from both finalists in the World Cup championship game on Sunday
SOCCER'S HOLY GRAIL World Cup trophy is the sport’s ultimate prize
Sometimes around 10 or 11 p.m. local time Sunday night at Olympic Stadium, France’s Zinedine Zidane or Italy‘s Fabio Cannavaro will take this 11-pound hunk of 18K gold, held it above his head to che cheers of the crowd and then parade the trophy with his teammates around the stadium. The FIFA World Cup trophy, the most sought after trophies in all of sport, the Holy Grail of soccer, has enjoyed a well-traveled and sometimes fascinating existence -- both of them.
PROBABLE LINEUPS Here's how they might lineup
Here's how Italy and France might lineup up for Sunday's World Cup championship game at Olympic Stadium.
HOW THEY GOT THERE Italy, France take different paths
Italy and France took different paths to the World Cup championship game. Italy had a solid first round, while the French struggled to reach the knockout stage.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS It's neck and neck between France, Italy
If history holds up, the France-Italy World Cup championship game should be a very close encounter.
