Final Four Insures European Champion

The samba line to the 2006 World Cup has turned into a waltz.

With the surprise outster of pre-tournament favorite, Brazil, by France, 1-0 in the quarterfinals, along with Portugal prevailing, 3-1, in penalty kicks after a 0-0 play out with England, this year's World Cup will be staying in Europe. It is the first all-Europe final four since the 1982 World Cup tournament in Spain, when Italy prevailed, 3-1, over Germany in the final.

Three superb spot saves by Portugese GK Ricardo made misery once again for the English, who have now gone out of their last four international competitions via the penlty kick route. The English had made a valiant effort of it, playing down a man for over 50 minutes due to Wayne Rooney's straight red card in the second half. It could be argued England actually had the better chances at goal in the run of play, but chances only goals make if they're finished.


Finishing with French flair, Thierry Henry buried Brazil's hopes of a sixth World Cup title until 2010, when he blasted a volley home off a Zinedine Zidane free kick in the 57th minute. Billed as Zidane's swan song, the match would now seem to be another step towards the magnificient midfielder's march to a repeat of the 1998 World cup title, the last time Brazil lost in World Cup competition. On the day, it was the French who played fluid football, filled with flair (sorry, I'm just on one of those alliteration rolls). For the match the Brazilians managed only one shot on frame, though several other dangerous chances flew by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez' goal.

The semis are now set, with Germany playing Italy, July 4th in Dortmund, site of the host's thrilling last-minute win over Poland in this tournament's First Stage, followed by Portugal and France the next day in Munich. Both matches are set for 9:00 p.m., local kickoff, being 3:00 p.m., on the East Coast in the States. If past tournaments are any indication, the semis are usually some of the most exciting and compelling drama of the entire tournament, with the "Big One" only one step away.

As with all the content of this blog, written and photographic, Copyrighted 2006, All Rights Reserved, Perry McIntyre, Atlanta, GA - USA.