To coin a phrase - 'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damm!!'

It hasn't been a pleasant few days for Ricardo Carvalho, Chelsea and Portugal's influential centre-back. First he gets the erm erm 'the stamp' in the groin, then in last night's semi-final he gets himself booked and then concedes the penalty that the 'Monk' Zidane scores the winner from. They say football is a cruel game, but for poor old Ricardo, he received all his bad luck in triple quick time!!

His booking last night was his second in the knockout stage of the competition and it means he misses the 3rd/4th play-off match against Germany on Saturday.

It was good to see Paulo Ferreira make an appearance and here's hoping that he gets a start on Saturday night. Hopefully the cry-baby is on his way home already, along with the madman 'Big Phil.'

So despite the fact that WIllie G and Claude Makelele will be in the World Cup final on Sunday night, my heart and my love of Italy wants the 'Azzuri' to prevail and become World Champions until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

I adore everything about Italy. There is the history, language, people, the cities, culture, lifestyle. I have visited Milan and Rome and have been privileged to have stepped inside both the San Siro and the Olympic Stadium and you just get blown away by the noise and the atmosphere. But this 'critique' isn't about the football, its about the romance of the country, the serenity, the hospitality, the friendliness, respect and of course the beautiful Italian women!! LOL

But then again, should France win the trophy and become World Champions then its HAPPY DAYS. Its a no-lose situation LOL!!

FORZA ITALIA!!

40 YEARS A BLUE!