Germany 0-2 Italy (OT)

Oh ... Wow ... I totally didn't see that one coming. Actually, I thought that they would go all the way to penalty kick shootout, with Italy winning because they have the best goalkeeper for PKs (with Zinedine Zidane the best shooter). Both sides' attack and defense negated each other during regulation time after all. And Fabio Grosso broke that expectation at the very last minute after an assist by Pirlo. I thought then that the game would end on a score of 0-1. The Germans then made a desperate attempt to equalize, to no avail, and the ball fell back into Italian possession. A long run by Gilardo who passes the ball to Del Piero who runs alone into the penalty area and ... Holy shit, it's over for the Germans.

For all that matters, the Germans made a lot of mistakes, playing too individually in the penalty area being one. Ballack and Odonkor made phenomenal runs toward the goal, but decided to shot when they were facing two or three Italian defenders when they could have made a pass to an unmarked player (Podolski or Neuville). And the German defenders were too hesitant. When they could have attacked, they decided to stand there, waiting for everyone to be in position. No ambitious play like Willy Sagnol against Brazil or Lilian Thuram entering the penalty area to try to score. (Let's face it, the France-Brazil game was the best of the tournament so far and I will keep referring to it)

Now, substitute Germany for Croatia and you have a replay of the Euro 2000 semi-finals, with France playing against Portugal. And the last time France and Portugal met in a major tournament was the Euro 2000, when France won 2-1 to later win the championship against Italy. So once again, Figo and Zidane will be facing each other (the two were former teammates at Real Madrid). In the mean time, Portugal has acquired Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo, and France Franck Ribéry, William Gallas and Malouda.

It will still be a France-Italy final, with France winning, especially if France plays like they played against Brazil.

Third place game? I say Germany.

Now, some World Cup rules. France cannot defeat Germany. Brazil cannot defeat France. Germany cannot defeat Italy or Brazil. Italy and Portugal cannot defeat France.