Fred de Jong: Defensive giants will shut down hopes for a goal-fest

So, it's Les Bleus v Azurri - France v Italy.

It's not the final the Germans were looking for, but is one the rest of the world can savour: two teams that have been building in strength and confidence as the tournament has progressed but also two teams that had been on the brink of elimination.

France, after goal-less draws in each of their first two matches looked all the world like the tired, old warhorses many had anticipated: bereft of inspiration and with no cutting edge up front.

Coach Raymond Domenech wasn't sure of his best striking combination and there were even doubts about Zinedine Zidane's place in the team.

With the threat of the goal-free repeat of their first-round elimination in 2002, France went into the match against Togo needing to win by at least two goals.

Without the suspended Zidane, goals from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry saw a very relieved French side squeak through behind European minnows Switzerland.

Italy can also look back at a key moment when it looked like they would be heading home to an early summer break and an Italian press renowned for heaping vitriol on failed conquerors.

In the round of 16, Italy were down to 10 men and trying to repel an Australian side with their tails up hunting for a spot in the quarter-finals.

I was in Kaiserslautern that afternoon and I could see the Italians were struggling. The players were tired, extra time was looming and there were many anxious conversations with the bench as they searched for a way out of a tight predicament.

Had the referee not given that last-second penalty, Australia, with substitutions still available, would have overrun the Italians and gone on to a showdown with Ukraine for a semifinal spot.

But it was a gutsy effort by the Italians to conjure up a winner and, as with France, both seem to have drawn strength from their flirtation with elimination.

The adversity has united their squads.

Both sides go into the final with the confidence of having taken a huge scalp along the way. France toppled favourites Brazil and Italy put away the hosts.

So what can we expect from the final?

One thing no one is predicting is a goal-fest: it will be a tight, tactical affair.

But for all the attacking prowess both these teams are definitely built around their defences. They have each conceded only one goal in the entire tournament and Italy's was an own goal at that.

Lilian Thuram in the centre of the French back four, with Claude Makelele patrolling in front, can take much of the credit for such miserly pickings by opposition strikers.

Thuram is in terrific form and Makelele is the best holding midfielder around. Real Madrid's recent trophy drought can be pinpointed to the moment they sold him to Chelsea two years ago.

As for Italy, it is Gianluigi Buffon in goal and the outstanding Fabio Cannavaro that have been the foundation of their success. Buffon is the best in the world and Cannavaro is a freak. At 1.78m he is dwarfed by many of the players he marks. But his leaping ability is incredible, he has pace and his all-round positional play is exceptional. Thierry Henry will have a tough time shaking off Italy's captain.

Who will prevail on Monday morning?

Italy will have had an extra day's rest.

France, I believe have the better individual players.

Will it be a fairytale ending for one of the greatest ever? Or will the Azurri spoil Zidane's final match and put a fourth star on their shirt?

Roll on Monday.

* Fred de Jong is a former All White