All Bets are on for World Cup Final
A record amount of money has been bet on the World Cup despite the fact that I haven’t bet a single cent. For those of you who have won money, I salute you. For those who have lost money, there is still time to make up for your losses. There are no shortage of ways that you can gamble your hard earned savings on the final between Italy and France.
If you are into the whole notion that winning the game is important, Italy has been tapped as the slight favorite by the oddsmakers.
If that isn’t enough to hold your interest, you can put a wager on who will be named the man of the match. Currently Zinedine Zidane is the favorite to receive this honor at 3.75-1 followed by Francesco Totti at 7-1.
The name of the game is goals so it comes as no surprise that you can select who you think will be the first and last scorers in the game. Thierry Henry leads the field at 5.5-1. You can also select Henry as the favorite to score a hat trick during the match, a feat that has only been accomplished once in a World Cup final and will give you a 29-1 payout.
If you think the final will go to a penalty shoot out, you are in luck. You can get 4.5-1 odds that we’ll see the game decided on the penalty spot.
Finally, since this World Cup has had a record number of cards shown to players, you can place your life’s savings on who you think will pick up the first card of the match. Patrick Vieira and Gennaro Gattuso are the early favorites, each at 10-1 odds.
Undoubtedly you can also find someone who will let you bet on the coin toss, what outfit Shakira will wear for the pregame concert and whether Franz Beckenbauer will still be married at kickoff.
The only think I am betting on is that you will watch the match. If I am wrong, I won’t be the only loser.
Pick the winner and win prizes
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Comments
By Norbert | July 8th, 2006 at 2:36 pm 
Italy - France 2:1
Portugal - Germany 3:1
Posted from 
Germany
By Dave Hamilton | July 8th, 2006 at 2:49 pm As a former gambling addict (not a nice life I will tell you), I would advise all to proceed with caution betting on this Cup. Things have not been as they appeared with FIFA’s “briefings” to officials, the “rounder-than-ever” ball that was supposed to make goalkeeping more of a chore (lowest-scoring Cup I can remember), lousy officiating (briefings or not), more diving than ever despite warnings, and some incredibly bad coaching (see Ericsson, Pekerman, Parreira just for openers). I was incredibly accurate initially as my predicted teams advanced in all groups except one, I think. But after that, some wheels came off. I had just about decided to visit the bookie yesterday and load up on Germany and after seeing who will be held out and Kahn coming on in the paper today, and so glad I didn’t. I think there was a reason the NCAA did away with a consolation game in basketball in the USA years ago. If you’re going all out to win it, why play it other than to give FIFA more money?
Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
Posted from 
United States
By Dave Hamilton | July 8th, 2006 at 2:54 pm Correction: I obviously meant above “If you’re NOT going all out to win it, why play it other than to give FIFA more money?”
Posted from United States
By Al | July 8th, 2006 at 7:32 pm I am sure that Italy will come out the winner of the world cup. In fact, I just registered my prediction at itoldyouso.com, which I will be sending it to my French collegues to tell them I Told You So.
Posted from United States
By Claude | July 9th, 2006 at 1:37 am Italy was in the most boring final ever back in 1994. All they seem to play is defensive. I can see this being 0-0 and decided on PKs. If this goes to PKs then we should demand that Italy not be allowed to play in any more WCs. What a BORING team and did anyone notice they were lying on their backs the whole time against Germany? Italy will confirm again for Americans that soccer is boring.
Posted from United States
By Alex | July 9th, 2006 at 3:04 am claude, you’re more than welcome to stay in your Great country and to leave us alone 
I dont think we will miss your “deep” analysis of Italian soccer style…
Really, what’s up with you whiners? did you watch the same Italy-Germany semifinal as the other billion viewers from around the world did?
If THAT match was boring, then truly, Claude, you better stay home and watch a baseball match, that’s reeeeally exciting, isnt it? 
Posted from 
Italy
By Patrick | July 9th, 2006 at 5:26 am At least, Claude, Italy was in the final. You can’t deny them that. It takes two teams to play, so why aren’t you critical of Brazil who did no better in the 0-0 draw for 120 minutes? Because Brazil won on penalties, and not because their goalkeeper saved them, but more so that Italian players missed them, and Brazil were crowned world champions on a two missed penalties? Is that what makes a world champion. Give me a break. A final should never be decided on penalties. Let the teams play until the players drop from exhaustion, I say, someone will score eventually. I agree with Alex, “If THAT match was boring, then truly, Claude, you better stay home and watch a baseball match, that’s reeeeally exciting, isnt it?”
Posted from 
Australia
By J | July 9th, 2006 at 6:08 am Claude, you’re right up there with the other fellow Americans that couldn’t understand soccer if you tried.
I was pinned to the seat of my chair by the games in the last week. Thanks buddy, you confirmed for the world that a stereotype American fan.
Go Azzurri!!!
By Ryan | July 9th, 2006 at 8:14 am Now now you guys, leave Claude in his/her own little world.
The Italy - Germany semi was a cracker.
I got Italy to win the final at 10-1 so I am biased, but
Italy 2 France 0
Posted from 
New Zealand
By unseenop | July 9th, 2006 at 8:19 am Unless you are talking strictly about regulation time in the Italy-Germany game then the game could be described as boring but overtime was the most exciting 30 minutes of soccer in this World Cup. I was on the edge of my seat until the final wistle blew.
Posted from United States
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