I thought there would be some mention of the match by now!
France to win?

The big question is to know who recovers better in this short recovery time. Portugal has the advantage of having 2 key players (Deco and Costinha) who didn't play the Qfs.

If in regular time then my money is on France but if nil nil then Portugal will win by way of a penalty shootout.

Well, I didn't think Portugal impressed against England and France are gaining in strength, so I'd regard it as only fair for France to progress.

And, of course, this has nothing to do with my feelings about Portugal knocking England out ;-)

Wait until 3PM EDT today and then I suspect you may see more comments.

I would side with France unless, as noted above, it goes to the penalty stage and then Portugal certainly has shown its worth there.

Throughout the series, I've found the dramatic skills of the "injured" players every bit as interesting as their athletic prowess. At what point in football training do they teach shin grabbing, falling to the ground and facial contortions? I especially like the rolling in agony and then clapping the hand over the forehead and lip biting maneuver. Very impressive stuff ;-)

I believe Portugal will take this, although I thought the English would take them out with Portugal having some of their best players out. Now they are back & well rested. I'll take Italy in the final, regardless. Their Defense is masterful.

3 hours till countdown!!!

BTilke --

All pro football players are required to go to diving school.

http://tinyurl.com/ghllu

Oh, that is TOO funny!!! Thanks a million!! Sent it to my husband who is now sending it to all his football-mad staff.

I am certain Andy Roddick was in that group somewhere since depsite not being a "footballer" he manages to do a tumbling act at least once in every match.

It is a Human Nature to side with the underdog..I like France but I will root for Portugal.They really came a long way.
Of course not matter who wins this match, my Heart and Soul,will be with Italy Sunday..
Forza Azzurri.

Walking through the streets of the Goutte d'Or in Paris the evening, which is the African and Arab district, I have to admit that I was impressed by the number of French flags displayed out of apartment windows. I didn't even know that people owned so many flags, as there is not the same attachment to the flag as in a country like the U.S. Some of the windows had Italian or Portuguese flags, which shows what a passionate night this will be in France. The largest immigrant community in France is Portuguese (also in Luxembourg), so even if Portugal wins, there will be much joy.

Well, my name says it all: English, living in Portugal - Portuguese wife and dual nationality children. Saw Portugal beat England on penalties in Euro 2004 at the stadium and in a bar very drunk last Saturday. So somewhat against Portugal but then for my children's sake I'll be supporting them - but if France win I won't be disappointed. (Just don't tell my wife ;-))

Matt

This must be a record - we have over a dozen posts before the obligatory "it is boring" comment

Yes, let's just delete the thread as happened to the three word story...

Probably because those who seem so "bored" with everything and anything are busy being so elsewhere at the moment.

I'm torn between Zidane, one of my favorite players, to strut his usual stellar stuff, and Ronaldo to break-out and emphasize the youth movement.

Oh, I'm rooting for France this time around, but when it comes down to it it's Italy all the way.

20 minutes to go!

Like France, Zidane and Thierry are a powerful combo. Portugal have a lot of players with yellow cards, so fouls may play a deciding factor. And yes, the Italy/Germany game drove me nuts with the diving, and yet the France/Brasil game had hardly any, so it can be played that way.
Boring...let's see, one mistake/one move can lead to one goal that could win the game and make you the hero (or goat) of millions of people in your country for the next 4 years..or even the rest of your life.....Yes, I can see how people could find such a scenario boring. It's almost like sudden death for the whole game...magical. It is unlike any other sport. And yes, I do watch basketball, baseball, tennis, hockey,etc...