And, depending on whether you were rooting for the French or backing Brazil, ecstasy and agony.

The Island took one last opportunity to go football crazy yesterday when holders Brazil took on host nation France in the World Cup Final.

Not surprisingly Bermuda's Brazilian community was in confident mood before the kick-off.

About 20 fans, all wearing the brilliant yellow of Brazil, met up at the Southampton home of Ken Bagnall, whose wife is Brazilian. Sipping the national drink, Caipirinha, their painted faces stared up at the giant TV screen, cheering every Brazilian pass and applauding every attack.

"I'm confident that Brazil will win,'' said Zine Strong, who comes from Fortaleza in the north west of the country.

"We are the superior team, we have better players. As long as the pressure from the French crowd isn't too great I cannot see us losing.'' Evarirsto Viriro, who moved to Bermuda in 1958 from Sao Paulo, agreed.

"Brazil will win 3-1,'' he confidently predicted.

"And we won't need extra time to beat them.'' But when Zinedine Zidane headed home France's opening goal, the cheers began to evaporate and Mr. Viriro's prediction looked shaky.

And when the half time whistle blew with France 2-0 in front, Brazilian fans knew they had a match on their hands.

"France are going to win it -- Brazil just aren't hungry enough,'' said a dejected Mr. Bagnall. The atmosphere at Pembroke's Robin Hood pub, where a group of French fans had gathered to watch the game, could not have been more different.

Sitting at tables decorated in France's colours of red, white and blue, French fans were letting their emotions run riot - even before the second half got underway.

"We're Canadians but we've spent the last four years in France,'' explained Francois Bertrand, 42, from Smiths.

"I wasn't confident that the French would win before the start -- my heart told me France but my head said Brazil. Brazil had the best chances early on but didn't capitalise. France have put their chances away. Now it looks like we'll win.'' When the final whistle came, with the blue shirts of France triumphant 3-0 winners, the place erupted. It was impossible to see the giant TV screen as dozens of fans, standing on their chairs, embraced and kissed one another in a typically public display of emotion.

The celebrations lasted long into the night. But a Brazilian flag was not in sight.

Photos by David Skinner VIVE LA FRANCE! -- French fan Carole Menard (above) shrieks with delight and relief in the Robin Hood as the final whistle is blown in yesterday's World Cup Final. Brazilian supporter Fabio Floreanopolis (below) cannot believe his team were defeated.