Richard Lennox

It is final day in the world cup and France vs Italy isn't exactly an inspiring final.  Both teams play in a similar way.  Sitting back, giving the opposition plenty of the ball and trying to hit them on the break.  It is difficult to see this as being anything other than a 1-0 win.  It is strange, I am not really that bothered who wins but I would prefer the Italians to win. 

It annoys me that, people say France should win because it is a fitting end to Zidane's career.  Yes it would be a fitting end to the career of a graceful and world class player but he has to deserve it.  The French rely on him to do something special to win the game, even the players admit that.  At times he is a footballing diva, arrogant and demanding.  Given the state of the French side, to beat the French: stifle Zidane's play making, frustrate him and don't be scared to put a challenge in.  The play goes through him, and they are an ordinary side.  The Italians are not really much better. I expect a dour final with very much stand offish play, no one will to risk a mistake.  It will be cagey and not the exciting final that the World Cup deserves.

But does this world cup deserve an exciting final?  Watching the majority of the games, I have been disappointed.  The knockout phase has been dull, the quality of the football poor. There has been bad performances, and from the point of view of a neutral wanting a spectacle, the Wong teams have gone through.  Cagey, defensive football has beaten the better teams in the world.  This World Cup needs an exciting final, to avoid being looked back on as a bad tournament.  

Fifa have failed to stamp out the cheating or simulation as they call it.  Why call it that anyway – lets say it is cheating and stamp it out.  And worst of all players asking the referee to produce a card have not been punished.  Is it time for a change at Fifa, time for Blatter (all puff and no action) to move on and be replaced by someone with the convictions to stamp this out? I think it is.