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A clash to relish

A FIFA World Cup finals that was on the verge of turning out to be a mediocre affair has been redeemed with two worthy teams set to fight for the title. Football-lovers can get over their disappointment at the dearth of classical contests; outrage at the bad behaviour occasionally displayed on the pitch; ire at erratic supervision; and sadness at the ouster of favoured teams. The tournament truly came alive in the semi-finals with the two matches offering much to savour, albeit in different ways. The clash between Italy and Germany was a battle royal that ended with a goal scored off the very last kick. In securing victory, the Azzurri resurrected a reputation sullied by off-field scandals and dull performances in the early stages of the competition. With the monumental Fabio Cannavaro providing a solid defensive base, the enforcer-creator partnership of Gattuso and Pirlo controlling the midfield and a rampaging attack, this was a side transformed. A country that has the dubious distinction of inventing the negative system of catenaccio has now shown that its football culture can also spawn glorious offensive play. In retrospect, it was amazing that Germany was able to go toe-to-toe until well into extra time. Before the tournament began, most people in the host country had little faith in their team's prospects. The German players surpassed expectations by progressing so far in this championship. They might even have been finalists if their captain and chief play-maker Michael Ballack had not played a very peripheral role in the encounter with the Italians.

Contrary to assessments made before the semi-final, the France-Portugal clash was the less scintillating of the two-match card. Les Bleus were content to sit back and absorb pressure after Zinedine Zidane slotted with aplomb a penalty kick late in the first half. During the course of the tournament, several teams have learnt to their chagrin that such a strategy is fraught with risk. As Argentina discovered in its game against Germany, a late equaliser followed by death in the shoot-out could well be the result. However, there is an aura about this French team that suggests it knew what it was doing all along. It appears to have been dismissive, even contemptuous, of Portugal's ability to pierce its defence. This was not the ploy of a bunch of novices but a well-thought-out game plan by a group of veterans who had decided that they would not expend any more energy than was required to clinch the bout. In achieving maximum effect with minimal effort, the French have reduced the advantage that Italy would have gained on account of the extra day of rest. The football-watching world can look forward to a clash of the titans on July 9. In World Cup history there have been very few occasions in which the two best teams in the competition have played each other in the final match. For all the blemishes that have marred the beautiful game over the last month, it has finally produced a moment to relish.

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