Ten good reasons why we'll win

Fans' discussions are always littered with certainties. "My team are going to win because..." is a phrase repeated ad infinitum by supporters the world over. In spite of the compelling arguments we make in support of our favourite teams, everyone knows that the only truth in football is what happens on the field of play.

Ranging from the perfectly plausible to the downright spurious, we present a non-exhaustive list of ten possible reasons to be cheerful for the Azzurri and Les Bleus respectively.

Italy
- Because, for many of the Italian players, Germany 2006 represents a last chance to win a major title with the Azzurri. After all, the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Francesco Totti, Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Del Piero are not getting any younger.
- Because the Italians’ motivation is massive after 28 years without a win over the French.
- Because the Italian players know many of the French players inside out after having played against them repeatedly in Serie A or the UEFA Champions League.
- Because Italian confidence levels are sky-high after the victory over their German hosts.
- Because Italy are the most solid team in the tournament, especially in defence (just one goal conceded, and an own goal at that).
- Because Gennaro Gattuso is perhaps the only midfield enforcer in the world capable of keeping the brilliant Zinedine Zidane quiet.
- Because Lilian Thuram has himself said that Italy have been the best team at the tournament.
- Because France are the oldest side in the tournament and must therefore be tired after having played six games.
- Because the scandal currently rocking Italian football is strangely reminiscent of the one that shook Calcio just before the Azzurri's triumph at Spain 82.
- Because whoever is involved, a FIFA World Cup Final invariably turns on a simple twist of fate.

France
- Because France have not lost to Italy since 1978.
- Because this Final is the farewell party of Zidane, Thuram, Claude Makelele and possibly other French players, so defeat would be unthinkable.
- Because Les Bleus' route through the tournament (victory against Spain and Portugal, Final against Italy) is uncannily similar to their UEFA EURO 2000 trajectory.
- Because the Italians were taken to extra time in the semi-final and must therefore be more tired than the French.
- Because of Zidane.
- Because France have never lost a major tournament final.
- Because Del Piero has himself said that France are the favourites.
- Because having beaten the world champions and hot favourites Brazil, Les Bleus’ self-belief is unshakeable.
- Because Patrick Vieira and Makelele form what is arguably the best defensive midfield pairing at this FIFA World Cup.
- Because whoever is involved, a FIFA World Cup Final invariably turns on a simple twist of fate.