That's it for another 4 years

So that's it, the 2006 World Cup is now over. Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through extra time to become World Champions for the fourth time, while the French captain Zinedine Zidane got himself sent off, which was certainly a memorable way to end what had up until then been an incredibly illustrious playing career (before the tournament started he had announced he was retiring from the game upon its conclusion). It all petered out into a rather ordinary World Cup in the end, after such a brilliant start. The final was entertaining, but it wasn't a great football match. Still, well done to Italy. If only England could be so doggedly and determinedly successful.