French, Italian missions dressed up for D-day

New Delhi, July 8 (UNI) To cheer its football team at the World Cup final, France will be taking a leaf out of South Indian politics.

A larger-than-life cut-out of French captain Zinedine Zidane will be adorning the French Embassy as it is getting ready to show the live telecast of the Berlin final tomorrow night against Italy.

The embassy on the Shanti Path will also be erecting a cut-out of striker Thierry Henry, who has scored three goals in this world cup so far including the winning goal against Brazil in the quarterfinal.

Led by French Ambassador Dominique Girard, French nationals and a select gathering of Indians will be hooting for 'Les Blues' though the French team has decided to leave its traditional blue to the Azzurri.

The final at the Berlin Olympic Stadium beginning at 2330 hrs will be shown on three large screens inside the embassy decorated with 600 balloons in the blue, white and red colours of the national flag.

French fans can also get the national flag painted on their faces before the match while the embassy staff will be coming armed with horns and wearing the French jersey hoping for a second World Cup title.

The Italians in the capital are not lagging behind in ensuring their support to the Azzuri, who will be playing for their fourth title.

At the Italian Cultural Centre, not far away from the French Embassy, preparations are going on to show the final for the Italian nationals and the Indian fans of their team. Like the French Embassy, the Italian Cultural Centre too will have three large screens for the live telecast on its lawns.

The kick-off may be more than a day away, but the French and Italian fans are sure of their team's victory. ''Italy is a very tough team but we will win 2-1. The second goal will come in the extra-time,'' said Mohamed Bendjebbour, Audiovisual Attache at the French Embassy.

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