Will They Be Partying in Rome or Paris on Sunday Night?

We started with 32 less than one month ago. After the final whistle on Sunday evening in Berlin, only one team will be able to call itself the best in the world.

France and Italy have both taken unique paths to the final. But both very much have earned their places in the showpiece game.

There are many subplots that the media will focus on heading into this game. It will be the final bow for Zinedine Zidane and many of France's golden generation which won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Italy has rallied in the face of ongoing scandal back at home. With wins, both teams will solidify their places in history. A win for France would be their second, and one for Italy would be an astounding fourth.

But who cares about that stuff, right? The focus should be on the pitch. And there are many intriguing things to watch on Sunday.

Expect a defensive battle and not many balls reaching the back of the net. Italy's strength is in the back. Gigi Buffon has shown us repeatedly in this World Cup that he is the best keeper in the world. The Italian defense has not conceded a goal to an opposing player in this tournament (the only goal being an own goal against the US in the group stage). Fabio Cannavaro is one of the top three centerbacks in the world. He has not made a single mistake this entire tournament.

France is also solid defensively, although their strength comes from their pair of world class defensive midfielders, Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira. The French defense is rarely tested because of the superb play of France's imported holding midfielders.

Italy may play into the hands of the French defense. Italy prefers to attack up the middle as opposed to down the wings. If Italy continues this trend, they could have a lot of trouble getting the ball to Luca Toni and getting quality scoring chances.

Likewise, France may be trouble getting the ball up to Thierry Henry. In the first half against Germany, the Italian defenders gave Germany's midfield too much space to operate, and the Germans generated some good attacks. In the second half, Italy put the clamps down on the German midfield, and Italy began to take control. If Italy doesn't defend deep, Zidane and Ribery won't have much room to operate.

So, does than mean we're in store for a defensive yawner? Perhaps. Both teams play with a lone striker, which often leads to a clogged midfield and not a lot of pretty football. But fear not, for we have enough skilled players on the pitch to create some magic.

Zinedine Zidane was frustrated and ineffective in France's first two games at this World Cup. He sat out their third due to suspension. Since returning in the Round of 16 against Spain, he has been as good as he's ever been. Most remarkably, he has finally struck up an understanding with Thierry Henry.

Francesco Totti has had a quiet World Cup for Italy after making a remarkable return from a broken leg. Still playing with screws in his ankle, Totti hasn't made fans stop and notice him on the pitch. But it's pretty easy to tell from watching Italy when Totti is on the pitch and when he is not. When Totti is out there, the Italian forwards see a lot of the ball. When he's not, they are largely invisible.

So, the Zidane and Totti match-up will be key on Sunday. Whoever is more dominant is likely to come out the winner.

We've established that it'll be a defensive battle and that the two playmaking stars are key. That's not rocket science, true. But they are important to this game nonetheless.

Who will win, you ask?

Well, I really can't see Italy's defense failing now. The Azzurri have a poor track record in the past of blowing leads late because of their defensive mentality. But this is a different Italy team. The Italians have been very good late in games at controlling the ball. And this may be the most dominant Italy defense in decades. Henry can be neutralized by Cannavaro.

The French defense will be tough to penetrate, but if Italy can move the ball down the wings or over the top of Makelele and Vieira, they can get chances on net.

It'll be tight, but the score will be:

Germany 2, Portugal 0

Oh, you meant the final?

Italy 1, France 0

Enjoy your party on Sunday night, Rome.

Pics courtesy fifaworldcup.yahoo.com and yahoo.com. Of course Brian is picking Italy. He picked them to win the tournament a month ago! Let him know what you think at bookableoffense@gmail.com.