LA Weekly

The only sign that Zinedine Zidane is aging is the obvious leadership that he exudes on the field.  Once a fiery, red card prone aggressor, he now seems perpetually unbothered by the theatrical antics of his opponents (and teammates).  Not to mention, the France team, which was lackluster at best coming out of the gate, advanced to the semi-finals, and now the final, on beautiful plays by Zizou.  The free kick that assisted Thierry Henry against Brazil was masterful, perhaps more so than his penalty kick goal that sealed the win for France today.  But the oh so helpless look on Portugeuse goaltender Ricardo's face when Zidane was digging in for the shot was the best indication that Zidane is, still, intensely feared. 

Claps all around for a resilient Portugal squad, who truly dominated possession in the second half and seemed destined for an eventual goal.  The near successful header from Luis Figo in the second minute of stoppage time, which would have been assisted by a downfield Ricardo, quieted the crowd of French fans in "Big Wang's" in Hollywood like the sudden realization that everybody was out of smokes.  Another great chance for Portugal in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time was equally as silencing to the French fans (myself among them, if it's not already obvious), though the larger crowd of Portugal supporters clamored at a questionable off-sides call.  But off-sides or not, Barthez barreled out of the box and gobbled up the ball off the foot of the threatening Portugal player, and capped the win that will bring France to Berlin on Sunday.  Sure enough, with the final whistle, the French fans scuffled outside the (can you believe it's non-smoking) bar for a celebratory smoke and a chorus of "Allez les bleus." 

If anybody can stop les bleus now, it is certainly the Italians, who have played with formidable swagger ever since their embarrassing tie with the Americans, and after their stunning victory against Germany, are certain to be confident.  If they are to stop them, they'll have to draw from the enduring calm of their captain so as not to get caught up in the Italians' capricious whining that still seems to be soccer's predominant turn off for the Americans who at least try to care.  Like Zidane, the entire French team will have to be extremely wise.    

--Ryan Vaillancourt

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