A prayer prior to the final

By John Cheeran
Who will win the World Cup tonight in Berlin? Italy or France?
Whoever it is going to be, I have a prayer; spare us the shootouts.
Now Italy are the favourites. Finally all of us are talking about the midfield magic of Andrea Pirlo and Cannavaro’s surefootedness in the defence.
And that last line of defence, Buffon.
Those things are quite right but this was the same Italy that struggled to beat Australia in the second round and escaped with a debatable penalty decision in the injury time. Italy, however, lived up to the occasion and seized their moments like they did against Germany in the semifinal.
France, gasping for breath in the group stage, found their feet against Spain and Brazil. France did only just that bit – a goal -- and wrecked the Brazilian ship. Still Zinedine Zidane would not claim they are a great side.
What matters is that they are in the final of the World Cup.
I expect Italy to win tonight’s final in 90 minutes. No extra-time, no shootouts.
An Italian triumph might redeem this World Cup that lost its favourite sons in the earlier battles.
Finally, whoever wins this World Cup, neither Italy nor France will be able to convince the fans that they were really the best. We all know that.