The FIFA World Cup Final 2006 with Italy vs France dominates this weekends betting action! BETDAQ members are sure to enjoy a plethora of trading options over the next couple of days. To add to this excitement BETDAQ is offering ALL Members 0% Commission IN-RUNNING on the remaining two World Cup Football matches only, following kick-off of each individual match.
FIFA World Cup Final 2006
Italy V France
Olympiastadion, Berlin. Sunday 19:00. Live on BBC1, ITV, RTE.
After a month of constant action in Germany, only Italy and France remain to do battle for the honour of being crowned world champions when they meet in Berlin on Sunday.
For Italy it will be a sixth World Cup final appearance, of which they have won three, the last when they beat West Germany 3-1 in 1982. France were more recent winners, enjoying a successful World Cup campaign on home soil in 1998 with their previous best being a third place finish in Mexico in 1986. The French have played with huge inconsistency in this tournament, showing moments of brilliance against Brazil yet poor form against Switzerland, while Italy have been in cruise control, free wheeling their way to the final and conceding only one goal in the process; an own goal against the U.S.A.
Facts and statistics matter not to either team now however, as 90 minutes of soccer on Sunday will write one of them into the history books. Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro was hoping to meet France in the final, to allow the Azzurri to exorcise a couple of demons. He sees it is a chance to exact some revenge on a side who beat Italy in the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship, while Gianluigi Buffon has heaped praise on his Italian team-mates for not allowing the distraction of the Serie A match-fixing trial to prevent them claiming a place in the World Cup final.
After Tuesday's exhilarating victory over Germany Italy playmaker Francesco Totti revealed he is set to quit international football after the World Cup, and has urged his team mates to help end his career on a high. On a negative note Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday's final. The Milan stopper came off after just 17 minutes of the 2-0 Group E victory over Czech Republic on June 22, and has not featured for his country since. Coach Marcello Lippi has stated that he would dearly love the selection headache that would come with a fully fit Nesta.
French midfield legend Zinedine Zidane admitted during the week that he was dreaming of a World Cup final before the tournament started. Despite France's mediocre form heading to Germany when they stumbled to qualification after Zidane, Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram were all lured out of retirement, the Real Madrid veteran always believed that his last international game could be another World Cup final. With the majestic playmaker ready to draw the curtain on his illustrious career this Sunday, Zidane who scored two goals in the 1998 final triumph, believes his team mates have the ability to ensure that his last act in a France jersey is to lift the much coveted Jules Rimet trophy.
With a full squad to choose from except Louis Saha who will miss the game through suspension Raymond Domenech now has the opportunity to place himself high on the pedestal of soccer legends in France, and complete a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the French game.
Italy are available to back in this final at 2.66 and to lay at 2.68, while you can get with France at 3.45 or lay them at 3.55. The draw is available to back at 2.92. On the Asian Handicap market Italy (-0/0.5) are 2.18 while France (+0/0.5) are 1.81.
3rd Place Play Off
Germany V Portugal
Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart. Saturday 20:00. Live on BBC 1, RTE.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter insisted during the week that third place does matter, though this will be of little consolation to beaten semi finalists Germany and Portugal who meet in Stuttgart tomorrow evening. Germany surprised many with their attacking football during this World Cup but they could not account for the might of Italy on Tuesday, and the best Jurgen Klinsmann's team can now hope for in front of a home crowd is to finish third. Portugal's best ever World Cup finish was third in 1966 and Phil Scolari will be calling on his team to equal this against Germany, though they will have to do so without the services of Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho who misses the game by virtue of being booked on Wednesday, his second yellow card of the knockout stages.
Germany are backable in this match at 1.85 or you can lay them at 1.87, while you can get with Portugal at 5.2 or lay them at 5.4. The draw is 3.7. On the Asian Handicap market Germany (-0.5/1) are 2.17 while Portugal (+0.5/1) are 1.84.
Racing
The feature event of the racing weekend is the Coral-Eclipse, to be run at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. This event stages a re-match between the globe-trotting multiple Group 1 winning mare Ouija Board, and last year's impressive Champion Stakes winner David Junior. When these two met in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ouija Board came out well on top, putting up one of the best efforts of her career to win the race, with David Junior a disappointing favourite, two lengths back in fourth place. Connections of the favourite blamed the slow early gallop that day, and owner David Sullivan has since purchased Royal Alchemist, who lines up on Saturday, and whose job will surely be to ensure that there is a decent pace.
But this is no two-horse race. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Aussie Rules has come in for significant support in recent days, and the French Guineas winner will be bidding to put a disappointing run in the French Derby behind him. Sir Michael Stoute is doubly represented via Notable Guest and Notnowcato, while Roger Charlton has supplemented last year's Cambridgeshire winner Blue Monday. Prices are now available.
Rugby
Two giants of world rugby collide in Christchurch on Saturday morning, when New Zealand host Australia in the opening game of the tri-nations series. Mils Muliaina has been handed the job of filling Tana Umaga's boots in this match after the former Kiwi captain announced his retirement earlier in the year. Powerful centre Ma'a Nonu looked to have secured the 13 jersey for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup encounter, but a broken thumb sees Muliaina step into the role. With 37 caps to his name, the full-back will not be overawed by his change of position in a switch which sees Leon MacDonald come into a backline that also includes Rico Gear and Joe Rokocoko.
The New Zealand side has a settled look to it, with Dan Carter pulling the strings at stand-off, while Richie McCaw leads a pack that includes wise heads Chris Jack and Keven Mealamu. Jason Eaton's inclusion is a notable one after his recent impressive form, meaning Ali Williams has been relegated to the bench. Australia's big news surrounded the availability of Matt Giteau, who has been included in the matchday 22. The utility back had been a major doubt due to a dislocated thumb, but he will be among coach John Connolly's replacements, giving the Wallabies plenty of options in this game. Connolly's starting team is unchanged from the side that convincingly beat Ireland in their last outing, although Ben Tune and Scott Fava come into the squad at the expense of injured duo Clyde Rathbone and Wycliff Palu.
You can get with New Zealand in this game at 1.34 or lay them at 1.38 while Australia are available to back at 3.9 or to lay at 4.2. On the handicap market New Zealand (-7.5 points) are available at 1.82 while Australia (+7.5 points) are available at 2.12. This game is live from 8:35am on Saturday morning on Sky Sports 2.
Golf
The US tour comes from Cog Hill golf and country club in Illinois this week with the Cialis Western Open, and includes many high profile players including defending champion Jim Furyk, as well as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who will be looking to reassert themselves on the tour circuit. Prices on the tournament are currently available.
With the finishing touches being put to the Arnold Palmer course ahead of September's Ryder Cup, the European Open returns to the Smurfit course at the K Club in Co. Kildare over the weekend. A host of European hopefuls will be in participation in Ireland, including home favourite Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and last year's winner Kenneth Ferrie. World number four Retief Goosen will be looking to recapture a title he last won in 2004. Prices on the tournament are currently available.
Tennis
The Wimbledon tournament will conclude over the weekend from the all England club, with the Ladies' final on Saturday a potential cracker between Justine Henin-Hardenne (available to back at 1.49) and Amelie Mauresmo (2.89), followed a day later by the decisive match in the men's section. Both finals will be shown live on BBC 1.
Cycling
The 103rd Tour de France started last Saturday and continues throughout the month ending in Paris on July 23rd. With seven-time winner Lance Armstrong now retired, his yellow jersey is up for grabs.
For a chance to win £25 (€40) to bet on any of the weekend action, simply email the answer to the following question to helpdesk@betdaq.co.uk by 12 noon on Saturday.
Where did Italy finish in the World Cup finals in 1934 and 1938? Was is it a) Runners-Up b) Third c) Fourth, or d) Winners?
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