Italian centurion ready for battle

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro could celebrate his 100th international appearance by lifting the FIFA World Cup after Sunday's meeting with France in Berlin.

World-beating defender
Cannavaro's anticipation and vision have been crucial to an Azzurri defence that has conceded just one goal en route to the final. The Juventus centre-back has already been short-listed as a potential player of the tournament, with coach Marcello Lippi saying: "Fabio is having a great World Cup. He is the best defender on the planet."

Unexpected form
Even the centurion himself has been pleasantly surprised. "I have played well in the last two years but I could not have expected to play this well in the World Cup," he said "I knew it might be my last as I'm 32. I have to thank my team-mates for letting me reach the 100-game mark here in Germany. I asked them to help me do it and they managed it in the best possible way."

Bitter memories
The Naples-born defender is happy to face France despite defeats by their neighbours from across the Alps in the UEFA EURO 2000™ final and the 1998 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. "I still think about that penalty shoot-out in Paris and about that incredible final in Rotterdam," said Cannavaro. "It still hurts."

Hard work
Cannavaro is eager to avenge those losses but expects a difficult game against Zinédine Zidane's side. "We will have to sweat, fight, suffer," he said. "France are very strong but we have worked hard for two years in order to reach this final and now we have to win it."

'Team spirit'
Italy are flying after their 2-0 semi-final success against Germany. "Winning against the home nation made everything even more fantastic for us," Cannavaro said. "We played a great match and showed terrific team spirit. We fully deserved the victory."

Goalscoring glut
Alessandro Del Piero's goal on Tuesday was the fifth by an Italian substitute at these finals following Vincenzo Iaquinta's effort against Ghana, Marco Materazzi and Filippo Inzaghi's strikes against the Czech Republic, and Francesco Totti's goal against Australia. In all, ten Azzurri have found the net in the tournament. "Substitutes made the difference again," said Cannavaro. "It is proof that we have a great squad and that everyone is pushing in the same direction, even players who are not in the starting XI.

Final countdown
"Now we are ready for the final, a match that can mark your life forever," Cannavaro continued. Italy can only hope that their captain's 100th cap will be unforgettable in the right way.