Final Semi Final
France vs. Portugal Score: France 1 Portugal 0

"Incroyable!" is what the man from Paris said when the game was finished. He and his wife had gratefully squeezed in at our table as the match began. I think incredible had two meanings for him. First of course, that Les Bleus were going to the final - who knew - based on their indifferent beginnings and the mystery of the early wins. We remarked ourselves weeks ago on the existential defeatism of the French fans. But also "incroyable" because this man and his wife had chosen this week of all weeks to spend a first time ever seven day holiday in Toronto. Now they found themselves, most improbably, watching the home team in a small tricoloured enclave on King West. During the street party at the end he was scurrying around the crowd, camera in hand, with a delighted look on his face. (Now maybe every four years he will plan to watch the Cup in a different country...)

The fan base has certainly grown from the loyal bunch we saw play Togo. Yesterday they were charging a $10.00 cover (with a drink ticket) at Zazou, and it was crammed--tv cables, reporters, etc, so we sniffed at that and found a civilized environment (avec Fischer and frites!) downstairs at Le Saint Tropez. Rocco met us there because of course he must scope out the competition for Sunday. (Rocco actually talks when Italy isn't playing, so I learned a bunch of soccer stuff which is always great).
Rocco knew by half-time that Portugal was stumped by the French mid field and unless they came up with a different plan----no chance. And so it was, even with an exhausted French side by the end, holes were almost non existent and time ran out. Cristiano's face might launch a thousand ships, but it could not score a goal.

All three of us rode our beercycles to the game and felt very hip in our helmets and very virtuous.
Check out this link that Cuzzy sent. A man with a similar idea (and with perhaps a somewhat finer touch) has recorded his world trip around Toronto:
http://josephmichael.ca/worldcup2006/
Only two more games--yikes. Then we what will we do?