Game 68 -- The Big One
France vs. Italy Score: Italy wins the World Cup 5-3 on penalties

Chez Rock
Biere: Kronenbourg
Birra: Moretti

We tossed ideas back and forth about where and how to watch the Final...how to get there, when to get there---how to get home? And then we realized we really wanted to see the game, and where better than on the big screen downstairs? Maybe we wouldn't have the ambiance of insane, boisterous crowds, but we knew we could round up a reprensentative, only slightly nutty bunch. Plus, as Jamie pointed out, the countries with the world's best food were playing each other, so his menu planning would be a dream.

Et alors, he laid out a table of antipasti and quiche, Italian and French cheeses and pate, croissants, and baguettes, Italian cookies....vino.....Buon Appetito!
We squeezed into the basement tv room - maybe 15 of us in all --but with a fan going and a few breaks, the carbon dioxide did not totally overcome us- and everyone had a nice clear view.
And what did they see? An initial fluster as the teams were a little agog, then a settling into some fine play. Zinedane on a penalty kick - and the Italians answered before the half on a marvelous header. Italy looked very powerful and dangerous.
In the seond half, France came on strong. Looked like they might make the most of their chances eventually...but then....but then...the cameras recorded the inexplicable, unbelievable head butt by ZiZou. .Will we ever know what prompted that? what he was thinking? The French had the talent left on the field to still win, but the red card turned the tide. Maybe it is instructive... if you attribute your success and inspiration to one person, .then when they are gone (or crack) the centre (literally and figuratively in this case) cannot hold.

And then it's a shootout, and everyone moans and clutches their hair. Not that the goalies stopped anything, either one, but you just knew that Buffon was more up to it. The Italians were more up to it. All month. All tournament. All day today.
(Rocco called from the Corso afterward. We could barely hear him on his cell over the noise. His cold seems just fine thank you very much.)

And this is your cub reporter signing off for now - thanks James for the guest gig on your blog. If anybody has any other quirky assignments...please let us know..
God bless Toronto!