Just as Germany and Italy pitted two great soccer and cultural giants against one another so too will Sunday's showdown between Italy and France. The pair, cultural and historical leaders of Latin Mediterranean society, shall meet once again on the world stage.
Between these two nations the world has witnessed Rome, The Renaissance, the Venetian Empire, the Risorgimento, the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne, the French Revolution, Napoleon, la belle epoque, and the Enlightenment (not to mention unsurpassed achievements in music, art, beautiful languages and of course culinary - including wine - mastery). Is this enough for you?
But all this is history. It has nothing on this match. Or does it?
While Italy handily leads all-time against France, it is the French who have won the last three major match ups against Italy - the only major soccer nation to do so. They beat defending champions Italy 2-0 in 1986 during the elimination round. A tournament they were favored to win in Mexico only to finish third. For France it was yet another disappointing showing.
They met again in France during the 1998 World Cup where les bleus defeated the azzurri on penalties after a 0-0 draw through overtime.
In 2000, the two sides met again this time in the finals of the European Cup. Italy outplayed France and held a 1-0 until the late moments of the match when they uncharacteristically conceded a goal. France went on to win 2-1 on a Golden Boot (suddent death).
As you can imagine, Italy have revenge on their minds.
For France, it took them some time to join the great footballing nations. 1998 changed all this. In my first post I showed the stats for the Big Four (Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina).
France is legitimately pushing to make this the Big Five. Here are their stats and accomplishments. Coming into this World Cup they were 7th all-time behind England and Spain with a 21-16-7 record. As we speak they have moved into 6th spot moving past Spain and lie eight points behind England who do not match France's successes. Consider:
1958- World Cup: 3rd; 1982- World Cup: 4th; 1984- Euro Cup: Champions; 1986- World Cup: 3rd; 1998- World Cup: Champions; 2000- Euro Cup: Champions.
As for Italy, this is their 6th World Cup appearance as they seek their 4th title. Italy has also won the Euro Cup once in 1968. (See Ladies and Gentlemen: The World Cup for details about Italy).
Gallic football has had a famous history but glory had eluded them for decades as Germany and Italy went on to dominate the continent and the world at large.
France was one of the first Europeans soccer federations to embrace the concept of 'beautiful soccer' interpreted by South American sides (notably Uruguay in the 1930s and later Brazil). Adding classical European strategies to this philosophy turned France into a country that played attractive football with little results. Only Argentina has offered a similar interpretation.
Today, Le Centre Technique Nationale Fernand-Sastre established in 1988 has begun to pay dividends as the French classical style from earlier years and the modern development system have finally begun to produce results.
If French soccer is a careful Gallic blend of old classical and South American artistry, Italy is where Niccolo Macchiavelli and Dante Alighieri meet. Sophisticated, poetic, irreverent (to almost comedic levels) and cynical all clash in a conservative and confusing bowl typical of the Italian character.
Either way these two remarkable nations have a date with history, yawn, again. Been there. Done that. Enjoy.
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