World Cup Final Set

GER loses to ITA; FRA tops POR
After two exciting Semi-final matches, the World Cup Final is set: Italy vs. France. The championship match will be played in Berlin, in the stadium pictured above. Both teams had their share of turmoil getting to this point, successfully elevating their game when it counted.

Italy Prevails Amdist Controversy
Several Italian players are embroiled in a match-fixing trial that is still in progress in their home country. Luca Toni, Italy's star Center Foward, has suffered through criticism that he was out of shape coming into the tournament -- a couple goals put that to rest.

To their credit, the only goal scored against Italy thus far was an own-goal which took place during a hard-fought first round draw against the United States. Since then Italy has been in good form. They beat a very good German team 2-0 in the final minutes of overtime in Dortmund (where Germany had never lost) to earn a trip to the Finals. Italy retains their unbeaten record versus Germany in five World Cup meetings.

France Wins with Energy & Experience
France won the World Cup back in 1998. After that victory, several of their veteran players called it quits. French coach Raymond Domenech managed to coax several players out of retirement, including Zinedine Zidane.

After a sluggish start in the tournament, the experience and ball control of Zidane helped France defeat a much lauded Brazilian team in the Quarters -- ZiZa set up the winning goal. It must have seemed like deja vu for those two teams as France bested Brazil to win the World Cup back in '98. Zidane also scored on a penalty kick to lead France past Portugal to the Final. Zidane is on the shortlist for the Golden Ball, awarded to the most outstanding player in the tournament. Germany's Miroslav Klose is still in the lead for the Golden Shoe, given to the leading goalscorer (he has 5 goals with the match against Portugal for 3rd place still to be played).

It seems as though France and Italy are peaking at just the right time.

The consolation match between Germany and Portugal will air on ESPN on Saturday, July 8th. The Final will air on ABC on Sunday, July 9th. As with all the games in the 2006 World Cup, both will be available in High Definition (where supported).

'Lost' Chapelle

Chapelle Show Returns Minus Chapelle
Comedy Central will begin airing four "Lost Episodes" of the Chapelle Show starting this Sunday, July 9th. Dave Chapelle, however, will not be hosting the episodes. Apparently he does not approve of the airing of these unfinished works from the infamously aborted Season 3 of his former show. Instead Charlie Murphy and Donnell Rawlings, who have appeared in sketches on the show, will host. I guess they don't have the bankroll to turn down Comedy Central's money.

Soda Fountain

These guys were on Letterman the other night. If combining Diet Coke and Mentos can do this, imagine what consuming this stuff can do to your body!