TALE OF THE TAPE: HOW FRANCE AND ITALY MATCH UP

After a month of pure magic involving 32 teams from every corner of the globe, the 2006 World Cup comes down to two European giants.

Sunday's final from Berlin pits France against Italy for the first time in a major tournament since Les Bleus defeated the Azzurri 2-1 in extra time in the finals of Euro 200.

John F. Molinaro, editor of CBC Sports Online's World Cup 2006 website, and James Sharman, soccer commentator for Toronto-based cable sports network The Score, break down how these two nations match up:

GOALKEEPING
James Sharman: Fabien Barthez always seems to get things done; I don't know how he does it. He's always had a great defence in front of him, but he still makes that one big mistake in a game. Gianluigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world; he's been just sensational. He's made some massive saves in this World Cup, so it's not even close - Buffon has the edge over Barthez.
John F. Molinaro: Buffon has demonstrated why he is the best goalkeeper in the game in Germany. He's made one great save after another, has done an efficient job of organizing his defence and never seems to be out of position. Barthez is capable of having a great game, but he's just too unreliable. He wanders from his goal too often and makes far too many mental errors during the course of a match.
Advantage: Italy

DEFENCE
Sharman: Although they've played well at this World Cup, I still think France is a little bit slow back there. Italy hasn't broken out yet offensively. Francesco Totti has been playing at only 80 per cent so far, and he keeps getting better and better with each game. If he and Luca Toni can hook up, I think they're going to cause that back four of France all sorts of problems. For me, Italy's Fabio Cannavaro has been the best player in the tournament and that Italian defence has been impenetrable.
Molinaro: Obviously, this is Italy's main strength. The Italian defence has been flawless - they've only given up one goal, and an own-goal at that, and have never really looked uncomfortable. It's even more impressive when you consider Italy has had to do it without Alessandro Nesta. I agree with James: Cannavaro has been the best player in the tournament. Gianluca Zambrotta has also been fantastic. I don't want to discount France's defence because it's been solid, especially Lilian Thuram. Eric Abidal, Willy Sagnol and William Gallas have all been great, but France's defence dries up after those four players. Italy has greater defensive depth so you have to give them the edge.
Advantage: Italy

MIDFIELD
Sharman: The Italians don't really have a superstar in midfield, other than Totti, and he's more of a forward. They have a lot of speed on the wings with Mauro Camoranesi, who's played really well in my estimation. Gennaro Gattuso has had a good World Cup. He's always in the mix of things. I wouldn't say the midfield battle favours one side over the other, it's pretty even. Patrick Vieira has rediscovered his best form, which is good news for France.
Molinaro: Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele have been a dominant trio for the French. Zidane is playing his best soccer in years, Vieira has bullied around opponents and Makelele is his usual solid self. For Italy, Andrea Pirlo and Totti have pulled the strings, while Gattuso and Simone Perrotta have done the dirty work. Italy has more depth, but France has a slight advantage in terms of skill and quality in midfield.
Advantage: France

ATTACK
Sharman: I don't really buy into this whole hoopla around Luca Toni. I know he's had a great season with Fiorentina in Serie A and he's played well in this World Cup, but he hasn't scored that much. I would give France the advantage up front in terms of out-and-out strikers.
Molinaro: It really baffles me why French coach Raymond Domenech hasn't played David Trezeguet alongside Thierry Henry up front. I think Henry works better when he has a fellow striker to work off of, but France, like the Italians, have received plenty of secondary scoring from its midfield players. Luca Toni has disappointed me. I really thought he would be the new Paolo Rossi, and although he's worked very hard, he hasn't impressed. Same for Alberto Gilardino. Again, I think Italy has more attacking depth, but it's hard not to give France the advantage here when you consider they have Thierry Henry, the best striker in the business.
Advantage: France

INTANGIBLES
Sharman: I think it really favours the Italians. As much as France is very good going forward, that Italian defence is so suffocating. It's so balanced that I can see them being all over Zidane, Henry and Franck Ribery and giving them no space to operate.
Molinaro: I don't think there's much difference between the two teams. Italy has a little more depth, but I like France's blend of veteran and young players. Italian coach Marcello Lippi is, in my view, a better tactician who hasn't made one false move in Germany, while Raymond Domenech seems intent on using that 4-2-3-1 formation no matter what the situation.
Advantage: Italy

PREDICTIONS
Sharman: It's going to be tight. I see Italy taking it 2-0. I think they'll score in the first half and then score late in the game when France is pushing up. I just don't see the French breaking down that Italian defence; it's as good as I have ever seen.
Molinaro: I'm very leery of picking the Italians. I think they've been the class of the tournament thus far, but I really like the way France has come on after enduring such a difficult time in the first round. The French seem to be playing as if destiny is on their side and I think Zidane will have the game of his life in Berlin. I think it will end up 1-0 to France on a goal by Henry early in the second half.