Fortress Europe pulls up the drawbridge

By Paul Radford

BERLIN (Reuters) – Champions Brazil came to conquer,
Argentina emerged as pretenders to the crown but Fortress
Europe once again pulled up the drawbridge against the overseas
World Cup invaders.

Few could have seriously expected the 2006 World Cup finals
to close with four European teams in the semi-finals — hosts
Germany against Italy in Dortmund on Tuesday and Portugal v
France in Munich the following day.

Teams from overseas have traditionally struggled for
success at tournaments in Europe since Brazil and the
17-year-old Pele won the title in Sweden in 1958.

That remains the only time in 10 World Cups staged in
Europe than an outsider has triumphed.

In the six tournaments played in Europe since then, only
three non-European teams have even reached the last four —
Brazil, who lost the third place playoff in 1974, Argentina who
were losing finalists in 1990 and Brazil, who lost to France in
the 1998 final in Paris.

Curiously, the last time the World Cup finals were an
all-European affair was in 1982 in Spain when three of the same
semi-finalists took part — Italy, West Germany and France.

Poland, who finished third in that tournament, won by Italy
who beat the Germans in the final, are replaced by Portugal
this time.

There can be no repeat of the 1982 final as Italy play the
2006 hosts in the semi-final.

NEW FAVOURITES

Germany have become the new tournament favorites after
sailing through their early matches and then edging out the
much fancied Argentina thanks to a late goal and a penalty
shootout.

The hosts are short of world class players, apart from
playmaker Michael Ballack, but they make up for it through
endless effort, the support of a vociferous home crowd and a
steadfast belief in their ability to win, on penalties if
necessary.

Italy will, nevertheless, be a tough nut to crack. They
have conceded just one goal in five games, a bizarre own goal
at that, and started showing some fluent football in the 3-0
quarter-final win over Ukraine.

With striker Luca Toni finding the net at last and
Francesco Totti finally showing signs of living up to his huge
potential at a big tournament, Italy have realistic hopes.

Like Italy, France seem to be coming good after a
stuttering start. Their performances in the knockout stage — a
3-1 win over Spain and a 1-0 victory over Brazil — have made
them suddenly look the best team left in the competition.

Zinedine Zidane, who retires after the tournament, has
silenced those who thought he was past it with some superb
displays and Thierry Henry’s winner against Brazil proved those
who doubted he could perform on the biggest stage were wrong.

In their young, dashing midfielder Franck Ribery, France
may have the best emerging player at this tournament too.

Portugal, the only team left who have never won the World
Cup or even appeared in the final, looked limited against
England before winning a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.

But they will have their influential playmaker Deco back
from suspension and are unlikely to be rolled over by France.