in Soccer Articles

  arrived on the heels of a strong performance at the 2004 Euro Cup. Portugal is the only team, in this all-European semi-final group not to have ever won a World Cup. While Portugal is the underdog in this match-up, opening at (+250), they are a well-rounded team. They have a strong mid-field, with Costinha, Deco, Maniche, and Tiago; they are loaded up-front with first-class strikers in Luis Figo, Pauletta, Christiano Ronaldo and Simao Sabrosa; and their back defense line is solid with Miguel, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and the stoic Ricardo guarding between the posts. On paper, Portugal looks strong, and should this medley of young stars meld with the more experienced stars, as a cohesive unit they could oust the French. Especially, if Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has anything to say about it, then he is not in Germany for just a pleasant sojourn, but to defend his title. Scolari coached the Brazilians in the last World Cup all the way to the title, and he is committed to replicating his success coaching another team. If not for just the strength of Portugal on paper, then the strength of Scolari’s passion makes Portugal a good pick to win this semi-final match-up.

opening at (+110) is the favored team in this match-up. With a shaky start to their World Cup campaign, they almost did not qualify and only just managed to finish second in their Group behind Switzerland. As the only powerhouse team not to clinch first place in the Group stage, doubts were raised about this French squad’s abilities. But, fortunately for the French their game has improved as they have progressed through the World Cup, finally impressing with a huge win over the defending World Cup champions – Brazil.

On paper, France is also a formidable force with legendary mid-fielder Zinedine Zidane at its heart. Zidane’s vision of the game is unparalleled, and along with fellow mid-fielders and play-makers - Frank Ribery, Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira, - the French mid-field has the ability to control the pace and flow of the game, if not steal the game away. Up-front “Terrific Thierry” is lethal with fellow strikers David Trezeguet and Sylvain Wiltord, and this trio will be ready to pounce given the opportunity.

Surely, this will be Zinedine Zidane's last World Cup run, and to lead his country to a second World Cup title would be a just and fitting end to his illustrious international career. Hence, if there is a determining factor in this match, then it will be decidedly the showdown between the combined attacking power of France’s mid-fielders and strikers, against Portugal’s solid defense wall with Ricardo at its core. Can the French find a weakness in this impenetrable wall? Well, considering they toppled the mighty Brazilians, then there is no reason to believe that they could not do the same to the Portuguese. Tipped at (+110), and by virtue of France’s front-men this would be the sure pick.

But for France to win this match, they would have to defeat Ricardo in the first 90 minutes of the match. Should this match play to the draw, opening at (+180), then it will be anyone’s game in the 30 minute over-time. If it does play to the draw, then France’s and Portugal’s chances in the over-time are an even choice. Portugal holds a slight advantage in their back-line with first-class keeper Ricardo, while France holds the advantage up-front with their attacking mid-fielders and strikers. If it goes to the penalty shoot-out then Portugal, on the merit of Ricardo who has been an incredible shot-stopper throughout the finals, has the greater advantage over France, as Fabien Barthez has yet to be tried and tested in a penalty shoot-out at the finals.

Clearly this match is a tough one to call. I like France’s chances in the first 90 minutes. As a fan, I think that if the great Zinedine Zidane can playthe game that only he can play, then France will be the better team. While I also like Portugal, and would not be too chaffed to see them advance to the finals, I pick France to win this match-up only because I believe that a World Cup finals match between Italy and France will be exciting to watch, as both teams play a thrilling offensive game.