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First all-European final since 1982

July 07, 2006 18:28 IST
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  • The World Cup final between Italy and France will be the first all-European final since 1982, which was won by Italy.

  • Italy triumphed at the 1936 Olympic Games, held in Berlin's Olympiastadion, the venue for Sunday's final, beating Austria 2-1 in extra-time in the final.

  • Italy have so far conceded just one goal (own goal) in the 2006 tournament.

  • Italy is one of the most successful teams, having won three World Cups - 1934, 1938, 1982.

  • The traditional jersey colour of Italy is sky blue (azzurro, in Italian), and therefore the team is nicknamed Azzurri.

  • Sunday's final will be captain Fabio Cannavaro's 100th cap for Italy.

  • Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes at the World Cup, making him fifth in the all-time ranking for unbeaten goalkeepers.

  • France's performance in the 2002 World Cup was dismal. They did not win a single game, nor did they score a goal.

  • Since making their World Cup debut in 1930, France have appeared in 12 World Cups, and claimed the title in 1998.

  • If no hat-trick is scored in the last two games, then it will be the first time that a finals ended without a three-goal haul.

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