THE “form horse” duly won the 2006 World Cup in Germany!

No one can really argue with Italy’s victory, unless, of course, you were born under the Eiffel Tower.

Nonetheless, it would have made me feel a whole lot better if Jacques Chirac’s gallant chevaliers had lifted the golden trophy, because I could have at least consoled myself with the notion that the Samba Kings, me beloved Brazil, had been beaten by the team that is the best in the world.

But, unlike Lucky Leo, I am so down on my luck, not even that consolation was due to me.

Absolutely nothing seems to be working for me at the moment; so not backing any team in the final was the best gesture I could make, in fairness to both teams.

This awful “run” of mine, it’s actually contagious, because the wife had the misfortune of losing her bikini top -- much to the delight of a couple of teenaged boys perched on a nearby pirogue -- while bathing at Maracas Bay last Sunday morning, shortly before the kick-off in Berlin.

Not to worry though, after 15 minutes of searching (smile), the wretched blue thing popped back up at her out of the deep blue.

Damn! How can you beat that for bad luck?

Yes, life has its moments, and it was certainly the moment for the Italians last Sunday.

A locked “I-tie” defence made it virtually impossible for Les Blues to get the all-important winner, although Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane were simply marvellous, and the two Frenchmen always looked like they could score on the great Gianluigi Buffon when they held the ball teasingly around the Italian penalty area … what incredible talent!

Vive Le France!

The wife and I looked at the game in the comfort of the Red Parrot Lounge and, forget Zidane’s head butt, the Ball and Chain committed the first foul of the final when she hit me a vicious cuff on the shoulder for gaping too overtly at Shakira’s gyrations during the pre-match entertainment, but no matter how I screamed against her un-sportsmanlike conduct, she somehow escaped the red card.

The final was really great entertainment value, full of high drama and twists and turns of ascendancy on the pitch, but the real bonus for me was the fish broth and dumpling and smoked herring provided by “Expressio”, a gypsy chef from Couva.

In the end, though, the clinical penalty kicks of the Italians -- every kick went to the left-handed Fabien Barthez’s right -- ensured victory.

The win also boosted the United States’ campaign in Germany, and by extension, the status of Concacaf, since the Americans drew 1-1 with Italy and that’s a pretty decent result in hindsight, considering the pasta lovers just lifted the World Cup for the fourth time and they, inarguably, boast the most balanced and compact unit playing the game today.

Contray to Jack Warner’s comments about Costa Rica and the United States, I think the CONCACAF teams acquitted themselves quite well in the tournament.

Costa Rica certainly did the region proud going under 2-4 to the hosts, Germany, in the opening game of the tournament. They scored in two of their three matches and only against Ecuador, losing 0-3; could you say they were overwhelmed? So it’s over.

The dust is going to settle soon and all rats will be returning to their holes.

The suits at FIFA will run off to the counting house after hosting another successful tournament and after every ticket has been accounted for, the schemers will begin preparations for the next grand scheme.

FIFA can point its finger at anybody, but no one dares point a finger at FIFA; the referees can take the jamming, the clubs have to humble themselves and the players have to keep in line, but FIFA does what the hell it likes.

Lucky Leo never made it back to TnT and may not even bother to pick up the monetary award from Paragon Patrick, because he is -- thanks to the Jumpers and Wavers -- back in “the game” again, and is being lured, according to media reports, by both Australia and Poland.

Who can blame Lucky Leo?

Sure, it was a fun ride with the Jumpers and Wavers, but any coach worth his salt will want to be linked to a team that has the capabilities and the abilities to move beyond the opening round of the World Cup finals, to trade blows with the best teams in the world.

Australia and Poland with their large populations and vast football resources are just the type of teams that would interest the Dutchman.

He has opted for Poland.

Coaches of Lucky Leo’s ilk are drawn to the battle; he wants a team that can make a real impact, not to merely coach a team whose best effort would be to perform with courage and girt, but to have control of a team that has a real shot at World Cup glory.

At least, reaching the quarterfinals, I reckon.

This transition should be as painless as possible and as a country, we should be mature enough to accept the impending change and begin our own search for a coach with the skill and desire to take his chance with the Jumpers and Wavers.

Don’t worry, folks, there are enough coaches around to fill the breach. Why, before the conclusion of this World Cup, half of the nation coaches in Germany had already lost their jobs!

Trinidad and Tobago needs not worry.

Someone made the point that Russell Latapy would be the ideal candidate for the coaching job, but come on, sports fans, Latas is still an infant in the coaching business.

His experience at Falkirk just isn’t enough, but I think an effort should be made to have him involved in some capacity, probably as a player/coach.

I know Latas is past his best but being past his best is still way better than anything we have here in terms of creating offensive play.

The real problem with Latas is not his age -- Roger Millar played in the World Cup at 42 -- it’s his relationship with cigarettes that’s his undoing.