Mandatory for every German city after the next victory (and how!) The Bundestim pipe-horn concerts continued - as usual - until the morning. But they were no longer triumphant, as before, but resembled something like sobs.
And by morning everything was quiet. Still, it’s understandable why the Germans are so prosperous. They have time for everything - in advance, by their own lovers and given. For emotions one thing, for work another. It is dawn. Cried - and that's enough. Time to work.
There are still enough idle people in any German city. The cheerleader vector is still the most important, although there are fewer of them - fans. Journalists, by the way, too: it was already commonplace to see people with suitcases in a shuttle on the way to the Munich television center; for many this day is the last: in the evening - at the airport. In principle, this is a common thing - it’s hard to argue with the fact that staying at the World Cup for many fans (and journalists too) makes sense only as long as their team is in the clip. And by the morning of July 5, only three applicants remained: Italy, Portugal, France.
All three teams, by the way, practice playing the same forward ...
French instead of Germans
By noon it turns out: a holy place does not exist. The role of loud and numerous German fans is now played by the French. In Munich, there are many more than the Portuguese. Or are they just more accustomed to events of similar rank? Of course, they are not as cohesive as the owners, but their scatter around the city is very impressive. In addition, the three-color gamut of t-shirts receives serious reinforcement - it turns out that a huge number of dark-skinned porters at the station, the waiters in local cafes amicably dressed up in the colors of the French team ...
France is a favorite. About the same extent as if the Zidane or Figo? Poll was conducted on the Internet, then Zidane would be a favorite. But this alone does not guarantee victory, right?
The first minutes, however, reinforce the opinion that, yes, France is a favorite. The French are more experienced, they are sausage less, they start brazenly in sports. Malouda almost goes one on one after a long pass-removal of Sagnol.
However, the French are not in a hurry to include ruthless pressure: jumping out of their pants in the semifinals is most often harmful - the understanding of this is experience. Without scoring in the first ten minutes, France begins preventative work. Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays on the left (the most dangerous among the Portuguese), has never been left without supervision of at least two French players during the half-time: he (by position) is met by Sagnol, who is constantly secured by Gallas. Plus (most often) for Ronaldo to the end fulfills Ribery. For the entire first half, Ronaldo only once managed to “chatter” all the guardians - and jump out to the gate. But by this time the French were already counting ...
Henri and Pauleta
It is curious that the Portuguese were shaking (their excitement is clear: for most of them the chance to get into the final of the world championship is not only the last, but the only one) for the first twenty minutes. And Valente does not know why he delivered the ball to the corner. And even Figo at times spent four or five touches on handling the ball ... Apparently, Scolari was laying on this “cracker”, and the slow pace to which Portugal “called the game” from the very beginning looked almost like a coaching pointer. And maybe it was her ... Anyway, by the twentieth minute, Portugal calmed down, got a ball - and began to look even more sympathetic to the opponent. True, the matter did not reach the moment. Pauleta was very inert. Whether by itself, or against the background of the fast-footed athletes of Gallas and Thuram - now it’s not the point. The fact that in the penalty area he was not given a single goal in the half.
Portugal calmed down and took the ball. And soon missed. There is no direct connection, of course. Just a performance class could make itself felt in the beginning. And he could in the middle. And he could at the end. And he could (agree) - and not make himself felt. Gave, however. I have already talked about playing one forward. In Portugal, it was Pauleta. And France has Henry. That is the difference. With his graceful movements, Henri at the penalty area somehow provoked Carvalho to try to squeeze the ball out from under his feet in a movement that resembled a kick from a beginner in the martial arts section. Carvalho looked in the episode very awkwardly: his legs after trying to hit went up there and stayed: to avoid contact (already in the penalty area), Henri had to either be a complete fool or fall through the ground ... He didn’t have to expect either . Zidane scored a penalty, France led. Out of nothing goal? Oh well…
"Moment of Barthez"
And then what? And then there was the pressure of the Portuguese, the pace of the game, of course, increased, but still faster looking from this did not start. There was activity of Ronaldo and Figo, there were replacements. Postig, who entered the field, was released several times from guardianship: the effect of surprise was triggered. While Gallas and Thuram memorized swaddled healthy Paulet, brisk and quick Poshtig, it was clear that they had missed them once or twice. The thing, however, is that by this time those who could find Poshtig had already eaten up — the Portuguese did not have the strength and freshness. There were also Portuguese corners (all to one - surprisingly slurred). There were two or three attempts to “dive” in the penalty area (which Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionde reasonably left unattended). There was only a return goal. And long before the end of the game, it became clear that it was unlikely to happen. After all, the Portuguese had only one obvious moment ... And the only one of the French created it, who fought for ninety minutes exclusively with his own nerves. Goalkeeper Barthez. Repulsed a blow to Ronaldo from forty meters evenly in front of him. Figo, however, finishing off his head, slightly missed ...
That's all. Although no, not all. It should be noted that the French moaned until the morning no worse than those Germans. And longer - they definitely had no reason to rush to work ...
Is there any reason to say that Zidane won against Figo? I would not. Although in our time there are symbols and labels - I have no doubt that such conversations are going on. France just reached the final. Two times, the Portuguese managed to knock out teams that were considered favorites before the match. The third time did not work. Now really - that's it ...
Yuri Rozanov