Feelgood factor is back

Both nations are two footballing greats who struggled to even qualify. I have backed Brazil from day one and am sticking with them because of a player who doesn't even play for them - Michael Ballack.

He will be absent from Germany's midfield through suspension and they will miss him terribly. Although they have Miroslav Klose and Oliver Neuville up front, their real power comes from Ballack's midfield link play.

I don't think the Germans have anyone else in their squad who can do that job as effectively - he would have caused a lot of problems.

As for Brazil, their coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be faced with a dilemma. Does he start with Juninho or a similar line-up to that which beat Turkey in the semi-final?

Although his instincts will be creative and attacking I feel that against Germany his head will win the battle and he will try to ensure his team keep it as tight as they did against the Turks.

Against any other side it would have been different, but he can't take a chance against such a well-organised team. To do so would play straight into their hands.

Germany will play with two up front so Brazil will have to play three at the back.

Although the Germans have surprised me I take Brazil to win 1-0 or 2-1.

As for the rest of the tournament there have been so many highlights.

Player of the tournament

This is a difficult one because there have been many good players on view. Rivaldo has scored goals without setting the place alight; Germany's Klose has been prolific with his head - scoring five goals en route to the Final - but not really impressed in his all-round play. I might have voted for Ballack had he played and scored in the Final but I'm actually going to go for Ronaldo. A goal from him on Sunday will seal this as his competition and help overcome the stigma from the previous Final in France '98 when Brazil lost 3-0. Not bad for someone who doesn't look 100 per cent fit.

Goalkeeper of the tournament

Several to choose from - including David Seaman if England had still been in the competition. The Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber has shone but I have been quietly impressed with the Brazilian No 1, Marcos. I'm sticking my neck out in picking him as he might yet produce a major clanger in the Final but he has claimed a lot of punches, dictated his area and shows more authority than I would have thought. Of course, the reason Brazil have never possessed a great goalkeeper is that all the kids want to play on the outfield. But he is obviously an exception and has an aura about him. His opposite number on Sunday, Oliver Kahn, has also had a decent tournament but the German has flapped at a few crosses and shots and had his fair share of luck.

Save of the tournament

This goes to the young Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for the way he tipped Paul Scholes's shot on to the post during England's final Group F game. It was a wonderful save.

Goal of the tournament

A lot of competition here but I like Senegal's equaliser against Denmark in the group stages. It was a classic counter-attack - swift and incisive with a wonderful finish. It began with a perfect tackle from Omar Daf, continued with a series of one-touch passes and was scored by Salif Diao, who coolly slotted the ball into the lower-right corner of the goal with the outside of his right foot.
Brazil's equaliser against England in the quarter-final is also worthy of mention because it was such a great team goal. Ronaldinho's movement to supply Rivaldo with the ball was a superb piece of skill.

Fans of the tournament

The South Koreans - by a whisker from the Japanese. I have never seen a stadium so red as when Korea played. You always see replica shirts at games but it looked like everyone in the stadium had a red shirt on when they played. It was incredible.

Surprise team of the tournament

Many people would opt for Korea again. However, as co-hosts they were always expected to do well. For me, Senegal were the real surprise.

Miss of the tournament

No, not Christian Vieri's clanger for Italy against South Korea but Nuno Gomes's for Portugal. With just five minutes remaining in their final group game against the Koreans he was clean through on the goalkeeper Lee Woon Jae but failed to connect with the ball.

Best midfielder in the tournament

I should know a thing or two about these and Ballack gets it without a doubt. It is just a shame for the watching public that he will not be playing in Sunday's Final. He has produced consistent and outstanding performances from the heart of midfield, getting into the box and causing danger. His goal against South Korea showed his ability to lose his marker and cash in. So for me he was the best - although there were lots of other worthy candidates.

Defender of the tournament

An English triumph. Although they only reached the quarterfinal Rio Ferdinand illuminated our path. His all-round ability and passing from defence has put him up there with the best in the world. Although South Korea had some good defenders, I will stick with Rio.
All in all it has been a great competition, full of goals, entertainment and good football . . . I can't wait for the next one already.