Alessandro Del Piero feels that Italy are the underdogs going into Sunday's World Cup final against France.

The Azzurri striker believes that the right two sides are contesting the final, but played down suggestions that Italy may have the edge.

Apart from possessing the rejuvenated Zinedine Zidane, Del Piero points to the fact that France have less off-the-field pressures to contend with.

"They are favourites because they have Zidane, who is number one, and also because they have less stress than us," he explained.

"It seems to me that Italy and France are the most apt sides for the final.

"There will be a lot of Juve in the final because (Lilian) Thuram, (Patrick) Vieira and David (Trezeguet) are all playing at Juve.

"With Zidane I have also been very close, so there is a lot of respect between the two sides."

Del Piero is determined not to become distracted by Juve's involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal, but admitted that his mind did occasionally wander.

He also insisted that Fabio Capello's switch from the Stadio Delle Alpi to Real Madrid came as no surprise to him.

"It is impossible not to think about Juve's future but at the moment my priority is the final," he said.

"I'll think about other things from Monday.

"Capello at Real? I can only say one thing. I'm not surprised."

Gianluigi Buffon will establish a new mark of excellence if he keeps a clean sheet for the first 63 minutes of Sunday's World Cup final against France but the goalkeeper admits the record will count for nothing if Italy fail to lift the trophy.

The Juventus star has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes, the second best run in the history of the tournament behind compatriot Walter Zenga, who went an incredible 517 minutes without being beaten at Italia 90.

"Of course I am interested in beating that record but only if it means Italy have not conceded a goal in the final," he said.

"On Sunday, I want to make my dream come true, win the game and finally touch the World Cup trophy."

Italy's defence has been as strong as ever at the tournament, with Fabio Cannavaro proving to be a rock for the Azzurri in every game.

There have been moments when Buffon has been called into action, however, and he has been equal to the task.

But Buffon insists there are many redeeming qualities about this Italian side, besides the fact they have only conceded one goal in six games.

The biggest, he says, is the camaraderie.

"The team spirit is the secret for us to have gone so far," he said.

"Credit has to go to head coach Marcello Lippi who has the tactical quality to bring the best out of the players. He makes every player feel important."

Despite the distraction of a football scandal back home which has landed the clubs of 13 of the national team squad in a corruption trial, Lippi has turned his players into a group of believers.

It was never more evident than the semi-final win over hosts Germany, who had been roared on by an entire nation and had knocked out one of the tournament favourites, Argentina.

"On May 22, I would have never imagined to have arrived here," Lippi said.

"Not because I didn't believe in this group but because this is a long tournament and you need strength, quality and luck on your side to remain to the end.

"We have proved so far that we have strength and a united group."

Lippi is not allowing his players to worry about past results for Italy against France.

Les Bleus beat the Italians on penalties at France 98, and then edged them in the final of Euro 2000.

"With respect to 1998 when we were eliminated on penalties, there's less concern," said Buffon.

"That time we played in France and it we faced a team that was at its best. With regards to us, we didn't really have the confidence we have now.

"Things have gone for the better for our team. There's more confidence in our ability. I am certain we will not let down our fans and we will fight till the end, even if I cannot promise we will win."

Some of the France players who came from behind to beat Italy in 2000 will be in action on Sunday night, including Buffon's Juventus team-mate, David Trezeguet.

But he's likely to be on the bench after failing to win a regular starting place.

"I'm relieved Trezeguet will be on the bench," said Buffon.

"However, [Thierry] Henry is one of those strikers that you never want to face, but if you want to win a World Cup you have to no choice."

Buffon is trying to remain on an even keel.

"The day before the game I will be tense, just as I will be the morning of the match," he said.

"But as soon as I warm up, I will find the serenity."

Italy could lose out on hosting Euro 2012 as a result of the match-fixing scandal in Serie A, according to a report.

Despite being the favourites, Italy could miss out to joint bids from Poland/Ukraine or Croatia/Hungary.

A leading UEFA official who is a member of UEFA's Executive Committee and has a vote when the decision is made in December told Reuters: "Although the scandal will obviously have blown over by the time the championship is held in six years time, UEFA cannot now be supporting the Italian FA unless it is completely re-organised by the time we decide.

"We find ourselves in a very difficult position. If the vote was being taken tomorrow, I am not sure who would win it, but it could not be Italy."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is set to name an unchanged starting XI for the World Cup final.

The Azzurri produced an impressive performance to dispatch Germany in the semi-finals and indications are that Lippi is to keep faith with the same eleven against France on Sunday.

Gianluigi Buffon will therefore continue in goal behind the formidable back four of Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi and Fabio Grosso.

Mauro Camoranesi, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Simone Perrotta will line up in midfield, with Francesco Totti linking up with Luca Toni in attack.

If the line-up is confirmed it will be the first time in the tournament that Lippi has stuck with the same team from one match to the next.

yeah I was praying for materazzi the whole match... "please don't make silly mistake...!" and yes he did well, and i hope he'll do well again in the finale

i hope my dream to see italy to be a world champion will end very soon
been waiting for so long,ive felt so much dissappoinment in the past
but i keep on believing cos im just in love with italian football n its players
nothing can describe my love towards them
i love every single italian players since the year 97
i love them since zola scored past ian walker in the italia vs england match
a match that turn me into a total italian fan

pls god make it a great night for us tomorrow

anyway guys
lets join the wc final ITALIA vs France match gathering tomorrow

Date : Monday, 10th of July 2006
Time : 1.30 a.m
Venue : Gazeebo Canai and Such, ss15 Subang Jaya

see u guys there....

Forza Italia !!

Yeah! Its been too long since they lift a world trophy! Hope the wait ends tonight!

the last time d azzuri won WC was exactly 12yr ago from today. and the WC they won before 1984 oso was exactly 12yr ago. cud this be ......?? really hope so too.       

Wanna ask u guys,today final match Italy will home or away jersey?

Alessandro Del Piero will look to fulfil his childhood dream by helping Italy win the World Cup.

The Juventus man has been a key figure for his country for a decade and played his part in helping the Azzurri reach Sunday's final in Berlin by scoring in the semi-final victory over Germany.

He is unlikely to claim a starting berth, but his drive is unlikely to be dimmed by sitting on the bench.

"We will do everything to win," said Del Piero. "Everything.

"I want to lift that cup, I have wanted it since I was a child."

Italy have won many fans at this World Cup and Del Piero is looking for the Azzurri to sign off on a high.

"We will have to manage this match in a good way," he added. "We have played a great World Cup and I hope to close it in a positive way.

"Many people say ours has been the most beautiful football, I hope it will be especially the winning one.

"France's game is based on the ideas of singular players and on fantastic passes of Zidane.

"We have a strong defence but also in the midfield and on attack we have played well too."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro wins his 100th cap against France in the World Cup final on Sunday dreaming of tasting glory with the Azzurri.

The immaculate Juventus central defender has undoubtedly been one of the stars of this year's finals as he has led an Italian rearguard that has conceded just one goal thus far.

Italy's captain has marshalled his troops superbly and depending on the result in Berlin, could be named as the tournament's most valuable player.

Cannavaro admits it has been a long-held dream of his to appear in a World Cup final and with just France standing between him and a winners' medal, he is understandably geared up for one final push.

''For me, who was a ball boy in the 1990 semi-final in Naples when Italy played Argentina, arriving at this final celebrating 100 caps is a crowning glory,'' said Cannavaro.

''There is the will to continue. I feel good and the physical efficiency I have shown at the World Cup has surprised me too.

''We have showed we are able to play good football and others are bothered by the fact we defend ourselves efficiently.

''But Germany did defend too, we ended the match with four forwards on the pitch.

''A strong signal from (Marcello) Lippi. Now it is the turn of (Zinedine) Zidane and the other French players.''

On the morning of Sunday's final Italian president Giorgio Napolitano met with the Azzurri's squad and wished them well against France.

Napolitano was awarded an Italian shirt by Cannavaro and will watch the final in the German capital alongside sports minister Giovanna Melandri.

''We know we have fantastic players,'' said Napolitano. ''But what counts today is winning.''