You would have got long odds for Italy versus France in the final at the start of the World Cup because the teams were, respectively, 8/1 and 14/1 to go all the way.
The French had been written off for having rust in their joints and Italy had trouble at home with a match-fixing scandal -- involving 13 out of the 23 national squad members.
But the two teams have made it and history will show that they were deserving finalists.
Unlike in Japan and South Korea four years ago, there were no big upsets in the early stages of the competition and the major soccer powers made it through to the quarter-finals.
Six of the eight were previous World Cup winners. Just seven teams have won the title since 1930.
England was advancing steadily, Portugal was on a roll and Argentina was playing the prettiest soccer. Only Ukraine among the last eight did not have that much hope of further success.
The champions and favorites Brazil seemed to have a lock on the trophy, while Germany was inspired.
So far it was business as usual.
But from the quarter-finals onward the form book was torn up.
First, Zinedine Zidane turned on the magic and Les Bleus triumphed 1-0 against Brazil.
Then, the Azzurri scored two sublime goals in extra time to put out the Germans in Dortmund.
With these two victories, France and Italy earned their World Cup final today by beating the favorites.
The defining game for France, however, was its qualifier from the group stage against Togo -- when the 34-year-old Zinedine Zidane was suspended.
At the same stage four years ago, France tamely exited the competition. This time Patrick Vieira stood up, took the captain's armband, scored the first goal and walked away with the man-of-the-match award.
France's 2-0 victory proved that it could win without its talismanic leader and a measure of self-belief was instilled within the ranks.
Les Bleus' next game was a good team performance against Spain, capped by a late Zidane goal, who then shone against Brazil.
As for Italy, it topped its group, just beat Australia in its first knockout game, but then went into overdrive against Ukraine and Germany.
Unlike previous Italian teams that have relied on a stifling catenaccio, or "door-bolt defense," and cynical gamesmanship, Marcello Lippi's side has been a joy to behold.
As a testament to the discipline and sportsmanship of the side, no Italian players are suspended for the final.
Previous results suggest it will be a close game. Stretching back to the World Cup held in France, 1938, France and Italy have played seven times, with three wins against two for the French and two draws.
In recent encounters the French have had the upper hand, including the 1998 World Cup, when Italy was defeated on penalties in the quarter-final. In the Euro 2000 final, France beat Italy 2-1.
But for the World Cup's conclusion in Berlin both teams will start level, with 11 evenly matched players and the confidence that comes from having already beaten the top international sides in the world.
May the best team win.
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