CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: FRANCE VS. ITALY.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

FRANCE 

PROJECTED STARTERS

The French attack revolves around the sublime Zidane, but the work of Vieira and defensive whiz Makelele is almost as vital. Vieira, big, strong and speedy, is sterling defensively and causes havoc when surging forward.

The supple backline, especially the masterful Thuram, is difficult to beat, but Barthez can make a mess. Sagnol loves to attack the wing. Tricky dribbler Ribery, part warrior and part artist, has been a revelation. He was dubbed ``the new Zidane'' before his Bleus debut.

Malouda is hit and miss, but he enjoys a strong partnership with Lyon teammate Abidal on the left flank. Henry is the most elegant and among the finest strikers in the world, capable of stunning goals.

Ready off the bench: forwards David Trezeguet and Sidney Govou and versatile Sylvain Wiltord.

THE COACH

RAYMOND DOMENECH 

Abrasive and uncompromising, not the least interested in public opinion, Domenech, 54, has painstakingly rebuilt Les Bleus amid an unending barrage of criticism. It's all paid off at the best possible time, with successive victories over Togo, Spain, Brazil and Portugal, and suddenly he's a genius.

Known as a tough-guy defender during his playing days -- he made eight international appearances as a left back for France, just missing the 1978 and 1982 World Cups -- he was said to have broken an opponent's leg during his debut for Lyon as a 16-year-old. It wasn't true, but Domenech enjoyed the psychological advantage it provided and never denied it.

In his fourth year of coaching, Domenech guided Lyon to the French second-division title and in the four years laid the foundation for the club's current domestic domination. He left to take charge of France's U-21 team in 1993, playing a large role in the development of France's ``golden generation,'' coaching Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, William Gallas, David Trezeguet, Djibril Cisse and others before they starred for the full national team.

Domenech, who became France's coach following Euro 2004, relies heavily on astrology. He's said he doesn't trust Scorpios -- one reason Robert Pires failed to make the French roster -- and believes Leos aren't effective defenders because they are ``show-offs.''

Domenech, who is Aquarius, delayed a planned decision whether Fabian Barthez or Gregory Coupet would be France's World Cup starting goalkeeper.

Why? ``I consulted the stars,'' he said.

UPDATE

Coach Raymond Domenech fiddled with his lineup and tactical system for nearly two years before everything clicked in the second round against Spain, and maestro Zinedine Zidane's resurrection prodded impressive victories over the Spaniards and Brazil. After surviving a difficult semifinal against Portugal, the French seek to add to their 1998 World Cup crown, won at home.

Zidane's and forward Thierry Henry's class defines Les Bleus at their best, but Patrick Vieira, the best two-way player, and dynamic wing-attacker Franck Ribery could be as important. The backline is nearly impenetrable, with Lilian Thuram and William Gallas forming the Cup's best central partnership. Reserve forward Louis Saha is unavailable, suspended after his yellow card in the semifinals.

France, still haunted by its 2002 collapse, stumbled to start the tournament, but has surrendered just one goal, a penalty kick, in four successive victories.

MEMORABLE CUPS

1958: With Just Fontaine setting single-Cup scoring records, Les Bleus romped to the semifinals but could go no further. Brazil, with 17-year-old Pele netting a hat trick, won 5-2 to advance to the final -- en route to the first of its five titles -- and Fontaine scored four, giving him 13 for the Cup, in a 6-3 rout of West Germany in the third-place game.

1982: France had won just one World Cup game since '58 when a sublime generation of stars, midfield maestro Michel Platini supreme among them, led Les Bleus to their second final four. The dream ended in a phenomenal 3-3 semifinal against West Germany that featured four overtime goals (two by the Germans after falling behind 3-1) and is defined by goalkeeper Harald Schumacher's unpenalized attack on Patrick Battiston. The Germans won the shootout 5-4, and the French fell to Poland in the third-place game.

1986: Platini and Co. were back four years later with a better team, again reaching the semifinals before derailed by archnemesis West Germany. The classic encounter was against Brazil in the quarterfinals, won 4-3 on penalties after Careca and Platini traded first-half goals. The Germans shut down France's attack, and Les Bleus finished third with an OT triumph over Belgium.

1998: The names are legend in France -- Barthez and Blanc, Desailly and Deschamps, Zidane and Thuram, Petit and Karembeu -- after the country's greatest sports moment, Bernard Hinault be damned. The French, with Blanc and Desailly anchoring a superb defense and Zidane working magic from midfield, captured their first World Cup title, surviving tight battles with Paraguay, Italy and Croatia before an odd 3-0 rout of Brazil at the Stade de France. Zidane was the hero, scoring twice in the final.

ITALY

PROJECTED STARTERS

Coach Marcello Lippi isn't tied to any particular tactical system, and he has changed his lineups and alignments throughout the tournament. The return of Daniele De Rossi from a four-game suspension, for elbowing U.S.

forward Brian McBride in the face, presents several options. Perrotta or Camoranesi -- or both -- could head to the bench. Alberto Gilardino, so good against Germany, could return to partner tall scorer Toni up front, with Totti providing behind them. The team's strength is a phenomenal backline, led by Cannavaro, arguably this World Cup's finest performer. Zambrotta is a wild card, willing to go anywhere and try anything; Grosso loves to attack the left flank.

Buffon is a premier goalkeeper. The Italians are classic counterattackers, and Pirlo is the orchestrator, a deep-lying playmaker who relies heavily on the dirty work provided by gritty Gattuso.

THE COACH

MARCELLO LIPPI

Charismatic and cultured, Lippi, 58, has chosen a talented side and taken it to Italy's sixth World Cup final while dealing with injuries to pivotal figures and a far-reaching scandal at home that promises to impact many, if not most, of his players.

The silver-haired coach, considered in Italy a Paul Newman lookalike, has demonstrated an affinity for altering tactics, lineups and formations depending on the situation. More motivator than strategist, he has provided his players freedom within a framework, and they've responded with a series of often dynamic performances culminating in Tuesday's dramatic semifinal triumph over Germany.

``(As national team coach,) you have the privilege of working with the country's most talented players,'' Lippi said before the Cup. ``It is therefore essential to be flexible and not just stubbornly pick the players who fit in with your favorite formation and personal view of how soccer should be played."

Lippi, from the Tuscan seaside village of Viareggio, was a stolid central defender for Sampdoria who represented Italy once and was in contention for a role at the 1978 World Cup. He has coached nearly a dozen clubs but made his mark at Juventus, winning five SerieA titles and the 1996 Champions League crown in eight seasons in Turin.

He took charge of the Azzurri following Euro2004, boosted the roles of Andrea Pirlo, Alberto Gilardino and Mauro Camoranesi and brought into the team Luca Toni and Daniele De Rossi. Italy enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign and has been among the strongest teams throughout the World Cup.

UPDATE

Injuries to key players -- with star defender Alessandro Nesta out again with a lingering groin injury -- and the match-fixing scandal at home has helped bond the Azzurri, who have surrendered just one goal, an own goal, and are coming off a devastating performance to beat Germany in the semifinals. Fabio Cannavaro anchors an unparalleled backline -- always an Italian strength -- that features dynamic Gianluca Zambrotta, but Italy also is capable in attack. Andrea Pirlo is a superb deep-lying playmaker, and Francesco Totti, looking stronger every game after recovering from a broken ankle, is a superb provider to the forwards and runners out of midfield. Italy has dominated its foes all tournament, the U.S. aside, and is playing its best soccer as the final arrives. That could lead to a fourth title, to go with trophies won in 1934, 1938 and 1982.

MEMORABLE CUPS

1934: Giuseppe Meazza was the first Italian superstar, famed for his goals, his sponsorships and his custom of sleeping at a brothel the night before big games. He was the key figure as Italy, at home, won its first World Cup title, but the hero was Angelo Schiavio, who netted four goals -- including the overtime winner to beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the title game.

1938: Meazza and coach Vittorio Pozzo returned as Italy became the first (to be joined in 1962 by Brazil) World Cup winner to retain its title. But the big guns were forward Silvio Piola, early in a 17-year national team career, and Luigi Colaussi. They combined for nine goals and scored two apiece in the 4-2 victory over Hungary in the final.

1970: The Azzurri -- featuring Luigi Riva, Italy's all-time goals leader, Sandro Mazzola and Giacinto Facchetti -- plodded through the first round, scoring one goal in three games but winning its group, then took off, battering host Mexico in the quarterfinals and pulling out a thrilling 4-3 victory, with five overtime goals, against Germany to reach the title game. There was little chance against Brazil, in Pele's final international match. The Brazilians, fielding what is considered the best side in history, romped 4-1.

1978: Italy, with Dino Zoff in goal and Roberto Bettega running the show, went unbeaten through its first five games but couldn't solve a mighty Netherlands team in the second-group-phase finale. The Dutch went to the final and the Italians to the third-place game, where Franco Causio's first-half goal didn't stand up in a 2-1 loss to Brazil.

1982: Paolo Rossi (at right), back on the field after serving a two-year suspension for his role in the ``Totonero'' match-fixing scandal of the late '70s, almost single-handedly carried the Azzurri to their third World Cup title. Italy drew all three first-round matches, then beat Argentina -- featuring young Diego Maradona -- and Brazil to reach the final four. The 3-2 triumph over the Brazilians is among the game's greatest matches: Rossi scored a hat trick, each goal breaking a tie, then added two more in the semifinal win over Poland and another in the 3-1 title-game victory over West Germany.

1990: Italy was again host of the World Cup but failed to cash in on that promise, falling on penalties to Argentina in the semifinals and settling for third place. The star was squat Sicilian striker Salvatore ``Toto'' Schilacci, a virtual unknown who scored six goals, including an 86th-minute PK to beat England in the third-place game, and won the Golden Ball (MVP) and Golden Boot (scoring champ) awards.

1994: The ``Divine Ponytail'' faltered at the end, firing high on his penalty kick as Brazil overcame the Italians in the Rose Bowl final. Roberto Baggio was the cornerstone of the Azzurri, but a hamstring injury limited his effectiveness in the title game. It was destined for a shootout: No way was Brazil going to score on Italy's sensational defense, led by Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. Baresi suffered a knee injury during the Cup, underwent surgery and returned in a brilliant performance against the Brazilians.

Kickoff: 11 a.m., Olympiastadion, Berlin.

TV: Ch. 7 and 34

In brief: Defense should reign as Italy seeks its fourth World Cup title and France aims for its second.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) RAYMOND DOMENECH

Pascal Pavani/Getty Images

(2 -- color) MARCELLO LIPPI

Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

(3 -- color) Fabian Barthez is carried on the team's shoulders in '98.

(4 -- color) Roberto Baggio (right) wasn't enough in '94

(5 -- color) Paolo Rossi

Getty Images

Box:

(1) ROSTER

(2) GAME BY GAME

(3) CUP BY CUP

(4) ROSTER

(5) GAME BY GAME

(6) CUP BY CUP