Au Revoir

This is the end
Beautiful friend the end
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
Ill never look into your eyes...again

I'm sure Jim Morrison wasn't thinking about a French footballer when he wrote those lyrics but they seem appropriate with only four hours to go until kick-off.

In today's Sunday Times Brian Glanville places him equal 13th with Michel Platini in his all time list of footballers. I had him in my World Cup XI at the start of my blog and I've seen nothing to change my opinion.

He is probably the most naturally gifted attacking midfield player Europe has seen in the last twenty odd years. The vision, the passing, the change of feet they have all been there in this World Cup. When he plays poorly, or doesn't play, so do France, the Togo game being the only exception in the past four years. His performances in France 1998 and Euro 2000 (the stamp in the Saudi Arabia game excepted) have been exceptional and he will leave a huge void in the French side.

Tonight he will have to be at his best, the side of his game we saw against Brazil rather than the one against Switzerland and Portugal, Italy haven't lost in 90 minutes in a World Cup tie played in Europe since 1974.

Daq Update

Value of Shares £81953.30
Cash Available £ 1.17
Total Worth £81954.47
7 day profit/loss £59705.47
Weekly Gain 255.78%
Today's chart position 11205 - 1 game to go