Official World Cup Thread

[Big_John]

yawwwn.. is it over yet? i fell asleep. :sleeping:

ok, it wasn't that boring. but compared to that great game yesterday, this one was a snoozer. :coffeenews:

both teams looked tired. game picked up towards the end..

and another nice bit of diving from henry for teh win! don't get me wrong, it was a small foul, but henry flops with the best of them.

reffing was OK. not great, but not terrible.

game was decidedly "meh". :shrug:






interesting thing, neither italy nor france looked very good in the 1st round, and now they're in the final.

[Zalmoxis]

Nice job by France. It's now Italy against France

[LeftEyeNine]

interesting thing, neither italy nor france looked very good in the 1st round, and now they're in the final.

So, Big John, welcome to the world of football. You got the idea ? ~;)

Tournaments need teams that shift the gear up, accelerating, that is. A Ferrari that is already at its peak before the waving of the start flag gets knocked out in such tournaments. That is a general rule.

Oh and finally I believe in one thing that is generally proven by results. If someone has to win, he wins somehow. Luck is with whom is "doomed" to win. ~:)

(Pssst..Remember Italy - Australia ?..Anyone?..)

[Ser Clegane]

I hope that the final on Sunday will be more intersting... :shifty:

Well ... at least there might be an entertaining game for third place on Saturday.
For all it's worth I hope our team can motivate itself to show a last good performance against Portugal and end their tournament with a victory (and hopefully some goals - I am sorely missing those semifinals of old where teams actually made lots of goals ... am I sounding like some old fart now?)

[scotchedpommes]

Portugal were diving all over the place, so I'm glad they didn't win - although
sometimes you have to wonder what on Earth Barthez was doing. I hope
Louis shouted at him enough.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Where's your cheeky smile now Ronaldo? c'mon mate give us a wink while you dive about the place...so statisfying to see him crying

[Dutch_guy]

Portugal were diving all over the place, so I'm glad they didn't win - although
sometimes you have to wonder what on Earth Barthez was doing. I hope
Louis shouted at him enough.

Heh indeed, he isn't called the clown for nothing - as he proves at least once every match.

:balloon2:

[doc_bean]

I liked the game. While it wasn't terribly exciting both teams played well. There were some good opportunities for both sides, though not that much. It seems teams are starting to pay attention to defense again.

Of course, some would say the goal was undeserved, I call it justice

[Quid]

Poor match to watch, really, for an outsider. Shots on goal stats something like 5 - 4. Quite depressing for a semi-final. Nevertheless, the 'right' team won. Hopefully, France can pull through the final also. I really want one of the best footballers the world has ever seen to have an exit from the game that is worthy of his play.

Go Zizou!

On the other hand, Italy has been playing convincingly also, especially yesterday. Canavaro must rate amongst one of the players of the tournament. Only 178cm (5'10'') tall and a central defender...plucking almost every ball from the air as if he was the easiest thing in the world. Also plays a good game to the front. Very impressive.

Here is hoping for a worthy final on Sunday.

Germany, I am sure, will be motivated enough to play for third place on Saturday. They will want to show the people that they are where they are for the right reasons. Plus, they also owe it to the people. Not because they have been playing abysmally, quite the opposite, but for the unveiling support of the crowds. Germany has been terrific in that respect. Well done!

As for Portugal...well, you know...I will leave it at that.

Quid

[Beirut]

Lost a bet of this game. I was for Portugal and it's going to cost me a giant beer. ~:angry: "Gah!"

Ora il mio cuore appartiene a :italy:

[Louis VI the Fat]

http://matousmileys.free.fr/france2.gif


I suppose the game was boring to most of you. For me, they were ninety intense, nail-biting minutes. The nail-biting starting the minute Barthez (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6773520578518440280&q=clown) put on his gloves. :wall:

It was tense, but not fun to watch. France needs to do a lot better on sunday against Italy.
But it takes two to tango. You can't play fluent football against Portugal. You know they can't score goals - they haven't scored for nearly five hours now - so there's something to say for just sitting back after you've scored against them. They lack punch up front, so why not let them get excited and try to do something about it. :2thumbsup:


Tournaments need teams that shift the gear up, accelerating, that is. A Ferrari that is already at its peak before the waving of the start flag gets knocked out in such tournaments.Will a Ferraribéry do? :sweatdrop:

[Louis VI the Fat]

Amazing footage of C. Ronaldo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-8lWT1sJgY&search=diving) released! So this is what he does in between raping girls in hotel rooms. :idea2:



first.....the site that you provided a link for is not of a portuguese newspaper....It´s of a BRAZILIAN one...learn the diference....also, I don´t recognize the newspaper clipping....it´s not the cover of any main portuguese newspaper.Gah! I refuse to let facts and reason interfere with me building up a good emotional context for a game. :knight:

[doc_bean]

Amazing footage of C. Ronaldo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-8lWT1sJgY&search=diving) released! So this is what he does in between raping girls in hotel rooms. :idea2:


Oh come on, I don't like the aspiring actor either, but that whole rape thing was just stupid.

EDIT and let's not forget Henry took a dive too.

[scotchedpommes]

EDIT and let's not forget Henry took a dive too.

Wouldn't you say there was significantly more contact when Henry was tackled?
It certainly looked to be the case.

[Soulforged]

They couldn't resist making a fool of Ribéry. Yes he doesn't speak English, he's a kid from the banlieues, eh? And yes he's ugly, he was involved in a nasty car accident when he was a small boy.
The guy comes from the most unfortunate of social and personal backgrounds, yet dragged himself out of it. More than that, he's a great character, more polite and kind than anybody could expect for a person of his circumstances. Don't worry. Ribéry looked like a warrior and played like a warrior, that's what matters in the field. France diserved the match, and to complete the picture, even if France didn't play all too well today, we could say: Zidane the Sorcerer, Viera the Guardian, Domenech the Diviner (???) and Henry... well Titi, and we could add the fans (though they don't sound as loud as us ~;) ) as the Bard.
But we could even go further on this theatre and say that Ronaldo was the Magdalena (Lady in distress), and that the bad actors, but actors nontheless, played on the side of Portugal... Yes too much acting on the side of Portugal little efectivity and agresiveness.

Oh..............And Barthez the Joker, seriously France you can't be this high and have a goalkeeper whose hands gets burned by the ball at touch, Jesus what a bad keeper!!!

[doc_bean]

Wouldn't you say there was significantly more contact when Henry was tackled?
It certainly looked to be the case.

Depends on which Ronaldo dive you're talking about :laugh4:

[naut]

Of course, some would say the goal was undeserved, I call it justice

Agreed.
France just gave those piss arrogant Portugese a taste of their own medicine.

C. Ronaldo is the worst sportsman EVER!

[Aenlic]

You have to admit, no matter who you support, that Zizou is sure ending his career in a memorable way. At this point, I have to go with France in the final. Just to make such a great career end on a legendary note. Say a 1-0 with a great kick by Zizou right at the end. It's not that I don't like Italy, it's just Zizou is on a historic roll.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I've been out of town, but I just watched the Germany vs. Italy game...

...I will save us all some time and let you guess, what happend after I found the result, and when the goals were scored

[Crazed Rabbit]

Hmm. Kind of boring game today, at least for me, watching it on tape and already knowing the result.

France wasn't that great, but deserved to win after all that disgusting diving by Ronaldo (boo! hiss!). Kudos to the French coach for the priceless miming of a movie camera.

Crazed Rabbit

[IrishMike]

Ronaldo really should stop all that diving before he hurts himself. Shame, he really is quite fast when he's not on the ground.

But as for the final, I must side with France, they did beat Portugal. And as being the biggest die hard English fan in the USA, I would have done anything to see Portugal get beat.

[English assassin]

For me, they were ninety intense, nail-biting minutes. The nail-biting starting the minute Barthez put on his gloves.

Is it just me or is Barthez the worst international goalkeeper ever? Is this some sort of joke, do you think, "our outfield players are so good we can still beat you with Barthez keeping goal"? I mean, come on, there HAS to be a better goalkeeper in France. Has he got photos of the coach or something?

Now, if we get the Italians who beat the Germans, and the French who beat the Spanish, its going to be a cracking final. And if we get the Italians who drew with USA and the French who drew with Switzerland it will be a stinker. but as LEN says its aways like that in a tournament isn't it.

I say its France to win 2-1. And what a ride into the sunset for Zidane, eh? One of the greatest players ever, maybe?

My other prediction is Ronaldo won't finish the season at Man U.

[Rodion Romanovich]

:smoking: Nice, now France only has Italy left to beat :grin:

[DukeofSerbia]

TRADITION said: "ITALY will win the WC!":balloon2:

[Dutch_guy]

My other prediction is Ronaldo won't finish the season at Man U.

Didn't Rooney say something like : '' I'm going to kick him [guess who] in half next training'' , I recall hearing of such a statement.

And I'm predicting a 1 - 0 win for the Italians, they played better against the Germans than the French looked against the Portugese.

:balloon2:

[Rodion Romanovich]

TRADITION said: "ITALY will win the WC!":balloon2:

Bah, if the Italians win then it's a victory for cheating, unsportsmanlike conduct AND boring football. Italy haven't played more boring football in ages. Only really nice-looking football they've produced was Del Piero's 2-0 goal vs Germany, but other than that it's been 90 minutes waste of time IMO. Zidane, Ribery and Henry on the other hand, that's football at it's best!:2thumbsup:

[English assassin]

Didn't Rooney say something like : '' I'm going to kick him [guess who] in half next training'' , I recall hearing of such a statement.

Very possible although I expect Ferguson will read him the riot act. Something along the lines of Man U has paid for both of you and you are not going to break each other. Aftyer all Rooney isn't exactly in Fergies good books for having gone to the world cup at all (though as it turned out I expect he's quite pleased about it now)

I was thinking more that he can expect some very special treatment from the fans for the whole of next season. Even the Man U fans, those of them that actually watch football that is.

[naut]

TRADITION said: "ITALY will win the WC!":balloon2:

Sir, may tradition jump in the lake and never get out.

[Red Peasant]

Heart says France, especially for ZZ, but I won't tell my Italian friends!

Funny game football, at they say ~;), as England played Portugal much better than France IMO but got absolutely nothing for it except more hard luck stories. Even after a lifetime's acquaintance with the sport I still don't really understand it, and sometimes I loathe it, that unique antipathy reserved only for something you love. Gah!

[Lorenzo_H]

Viva Italia!

[Alexanderofmacedon]

France: Avenge Germany

[scotchedpommes]

Is it just me or is Barthez the worst international goalkeeper ever? Is this some sort of joke, do you think, "our outfield players are so good we can still beat you with Barthez keeping goal"? I mean, come on, there HAS to be a better goalkeeper in France. Has he got photos of the coach or something?

He is terrible at times, yes. It had been my understanding through the
qualification up to the beginning of the campaign that Coupet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A9gory_Coupet) was to
be the keeper. As was discussed earlier, it caused a bit of a furore
when Barthez was selected over him.


Didn't Rooney say something like : '' I'm going to kick him [guess who] in half next training'' , I recall hearing of such a statement.

I don't believe he did, although I could be wrong. All I'd heard of his response was
that he was still fine with Ronaldo, or something along those lines. Speculation as
to what would happen should they both go back to Manchester [Ronaldo seems to
be leaving for Madrid.] seems to have originated from Alan Shearer's comment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4MfRj-pJ8I) after
the match.

[DukeofSerbia]

Bah, if the Italians win then it's a victory for cheating, unsportsmanlike conduct AND boring football. Italy haven't played more boring football in ages. Only really nice-looking football they've produced was Del Piero's 2-0 goal vs Germany, but other than that it's been 90 minutes waste of time IMO. Zidane, Ribery and Henry on the other hand, that's football at it's best!:2thumbsup:


I know that France play beatiful and modern football. But, who can score against them. Buffon is the best goalkeeper in the world and he only received one goal and it was own goal (in game vs. USA). Italy have iron defense.

P.S.
How to add attachment here? I have some nice file about WC (it's .pps file).

[whyidie]

Zidane is really overshadowing the rest of a solid French team. At least on my side of the world. Its all Zidane all the time. Would love to see a little more focus on the rest of the French side.

We're talking about a defense that has allowed only 2 goals the entire tournament. One more goal than Italy, but against better competition through the knockout stages.

Yes Zidane is special, but last I checked it takes more than one player to win a match.

[Red Peasant]

Zidane is really overshadowing the rest of a solid French team. At least on my side of the world. Its all Zidane all the time. Would love to see a little more focus on the rest of the French side.

We're talking about a defense that has allowed only 2 goals the entire tournament. One more goal than Italy, but against better competition through the knockout stages.

Yes Zidane is special, but last I checked it takes more than one player to win a match.

A pragmatic and sensible viewpoint. But, so often it is that one special player who is the difference between winning and losing, that one player who makes you realise the beauty of the game even in defeat, who can make you gasp in admiration. The others, estimable as they may be, are a supporting cast, mere 'spear-carriers'.

[Devastatin Dave]

Even though I don't follow sissy kicking games... Go France!!!:2thumbsup:

[whyidie]

A pragmatic and sensible viewpoint. But, so often it is that one special player who is the difference between winning and losing, that one player who makes you realise the beauty of the game even in defeat, who can make you gasp in admiration. The others, estimable as they may be, are a supporting cast, mere 'spear-carriers'.

So lets give them their due. Those spears are heavy!

[Franconicus]

Sadest sports event since 1972:~:mecry: ~:mecry: ~:mecry:

https://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7699/mondiali29qk.jpg

crying leads to nothing. Italy made a great and fair game! So good luck for the final!!

[English assassin]

Go France!!!:2thumbsup:

OMG Teh football really IS the international language of peace and reconciliation !! :france: :knuddel: :unitedstates: :2thumbsup:

[spmetla]

I'm rooting for France, so far they've knocked out all the teams I dislike (Portugal, Brazil, and hopefully Italy).

I hope they smash the Italians, Italy has a fine defense but it's offense seems to be unreliable. That and they act too damn much. I don't like the way the Italians cheat at all, some of them should go to hollywood if they want to act so much.

And for Germany, although it's only a game for third place I hope they can still win it. I was hoping for a France Germany final so let them redeem themselves by beating those cheating Portugese.

[Ianofsmeg16]

Allez Les Blues!

[Zalmoxis]

Whew, goal by Germany.

EDIT: Double.

DOUBLE EDIT: Triple goal. It's pretty much over.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Amazing goals by Schwein...something. Both outside the box, and he took the yellow (stupid sepp) for his celebration. Another great performance from Khan, too. Bravo, Germany!

Crazed Rabbit

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Bastian Schweinsteiger.

:germany::germany::germany::germany::germany:

[Dutch_guy]

Congrats to germany, a deserved third place, oh and thanks for beating the Portugese !

A 3 - 1 score doesn't give the Portugese enough credit I think. The Portugese ruled the midfield and only 3 Schweinsteiger moments ended their third place aspirations. As both teams didn't think they'd get this far, they can probably live with their results.

:balloon2:

[Ianofsmeg16]

GO GERMANY! fantastic!

Did Ronny cry again? please say he did? that really would make my day

[Pannonian]

It takes quite something to make the English cheer for France and Germany in successive games.

[Ser Clegane]

What a game ... and what a party afterwards.

For a while you could almost forget that this was the match for 3rd place and that there actually will be another match tomorrow. ~:)

[LeftEyeNine]

I couldn't watch the match but I should add my congrats on the Schweinsteiger and the rest of the German team.

[Louis VI the Fat]

That was a fun game. Congrats to Germany, I hope they have a great party tonight. They deserve one. For their effort, their welcoming attitude and not least for their very entertaining football team.

:balloon2:

I hope the Portuguese have a good party tonight too. They did field a very, very strong team this tournament.

[spmetla]

Arggh! I missed this game and will miss tomorrows as well. Stupid national guard duty :furious3: I hope tomorrow my video recorder actually works correctly, I used an old tape today and all it did was record static.

Glad for the German win though, hooray!:balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2:

[Rodion Romanovich]

very nice 3rd price game with plenty of goals :2thumbsup: Now it's time for LES BLEUS to teach Italy what football is about!

[Louis VI the Fat]

Now it's time for LES BLEUS to teach Italy what football is about!Oh please, let's hope so. I do hope they will have the energy to do so. Frankly, they were wasted after seventy minutes against Portugal. And it takes older teams more time to recover between matches. Perhaps it was no coincidence that Zidane played his best after he had a week of rest before the Spain and Brazil matches.

The Italians looked fresher, more fit. The way they overran the Germans in extra time was simply unbelievable. And they've had an extra day of rest.

But Italy doesn't have Henry, Ribéry, or Zidane. :2thumbsup:

[Louis VI the Fat]

It's Judgement Day! It is going to be either Heaven or Hell now.

Nothing in between is possible at this point anymore. Tonight, I shall be in either one of them.


I didn't mention it before, but thanks to everybody for the support and those many 'Allez les Bleus!'

I must go now, my destiny awaits. Au revoir.


Vive la République!


Vive la France!


Allez les Bleus!

[Crazed Rabbit]

One last time before the game...
Allez les Bleus!

Crazed Rabbit

[Rodion Romanovich]

And the award of least deserved WC victory ever goes too... *drumroll*

Italy!

This was the last football game I'll be watching in at least 10 years time - even longer if the rules and ref equipment isn't changed drastically before that time ends. A team that tries to murder Henry (no doubt the greatest offensive player of the entire tournament), dives twice a minute, cheats and bribes referees, and play injured every fifth minute because they have no endurance and need to drink water and rest. A team that disrupts the play by these things - people are paying for 90 minutes of football not 40 minutes - wins an international championship by lies, deceit, violence and unsportsmanlike behavior of whose like no other team in the tournament showed. Can we blame Italy for cheating, nearly killing a player, and getting this undeserved victory? No, not as long as the rules are so screwed up that they allow and help a team that uses those tricks. Therefore, it's football that I'll quit watching, supporting or showing any interest whatsoever in.

Signed,
LegioXXXUlpiaVictrix

[Ianofsmeg16]

I agree with everything said by Legio above,
I take my football seriously, as an englishman, and France deserved alot more than second place. All foul play with Zizou aside, the Italian footballers are a bunch of proffesional divers and arent fit to cut the grass they play on.

[Ronin]

And the award of least deserved WC victory ever goes too... *drumroll*

Italy!

This was the last football game I'll be watching in at least 10 years time - even longer if the rules and ref equipment isn't changed drastically before that time ends. A team that tries to murder Henry (no doubt the greatest offensive player of the entire tournament), dives twice a minute, cheats and bribes referees, and play injured every fifth minute because they have no endurance and need to drink water and rest. A team that disrupts the play by these things - people are paying for 90 minutes of football not 40 minutes - wins an international championship by lies, deceit, violence and unsportsmanlike behavior of whose like no other team in the tournament showed. Can we blame Italy for cheating, nearly killing a player, and getting this undeserved victory? No, not as long as the rules are so screwed up that they allow and help a team that uses those tricks. Therefore, it's football that I'll quit watching, supporting or showing any interest whatsoever in.

Signed,
LegioXXXUlpiaVictrix


luckily Zidane was there to show us all true sportsmanship.....~:rolleyes:

[Rodion Romanovich]

luckily Zidane was there to show us all true sportsmanship.....~:rolleyes:
yes, he did what everyone should have done from start of the game. He stood up for what he believed in. Someone should have given Cannavaro a fist in the face and *** (not sure if the rest is suitable to the frontroom) after his murder attempt against Henry. The ref should be imprisoned for encouraging and allowing such a murder attempt to take place. Wouldn't surprise me if the Italian Zidane gave a pat in the chest to in the overtime said something along the lines "haha we'll win because we nearly killed Henry so he couldn't score". Whatever he said justified Zidane's behavior. The ref's behavior and the behavior of the Italian that dove backwards after the gentle touch in the chest however is not forgiveable.

[Big_John]

wow, some of us watched a very different WC and final apparently.

all i can say is congrats italy, very even game. crossbar won it for them in the end, but can't say they deserved it any less than france. plus their victory against germany was a classic.

[LeftEyeNine]

JAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!! JAAAAAAAAAA !!!! TOOOOOORRRRR !!!!!!

LEN THE FOOTY GOD SPEAKING !! AS PREDICTED FROM THE START, ITALY OWNS AND RULES AND FOLDS INTO SEVEN THEN PUTS INTO THE POCKET !!!

Y'AAAAAAALLLLL !!!!!

Italia Italia Italia

[Rodion Romanovich]

is it possible to find a video of the murder attempt directed against Henry? I'd like to post it here

[Beirut]

Gentlemen,

Zero tolerance for nasty nationalism and ethnic comments. This thread will be reviewed during the night and WP will be handed out with great speed to anyone breaking Frontroom rules.

[LeftEyeNine]

LOUUUUIIIIIIIS !!!

Mate, I can't post in DA LOSAH'S THREDso please can you link your post here when you sign in there ~D

Oh my where is that bouncing gif?

:bounce:

Good effort from Les Bleus but, well, LEN the Footy God had written the destiny long time ago.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

LEN your getting a bit hyper...

[LeftEyeNine]

LEN your getting a bit hyper...

The Gods have the right to in times, lad.

[Ronin]

yes, he did what everyone should have done from start of the game. He stood up for what he believed in. Someone should have given Cannavaro a fist in the face and *** (not sure if the rest is suitable to the frontroom) after his murder attempt against Henry. The ref should be imprisoned for encouraging and allowing such a murder attempt to take place. Wouldn't surprise me if the Italian Zidane gave a pat in the chest to in the overtime said something along the lines "haha we'll win because we nearly killed Henry so he couldn't score". Whatever he said justified Zidane's behavior. The ref's behavior and the behavior of the Italian that dove backwards after the gentle touch in the chest however is not forgiveable.

"dove backwards"????

http://www.stoo.cc/images/SAimages/6561zidane.gif

I don´t know....that hit actually looks like it has a good deal of force behind it.....

[Red Peasant]

Bad luck France, you were clearly the superior side. The Italians didn't have a clue even when you were down to ten men. So negative.
If Italy are the best football side in the world then I'm a Chinaman.

I don't know what happened with ZZ, Marco obviously said something ... but what?! He shouldn't have reacted as he did, and got his revenge for whatever it was later, after the match.

[Divine Wind]

No way he dove backwards there.

Ok, Materazzi is an idiot, a wind up merchant, and yes he probably did say something to ZZ. BUT ZZ is a professional, hes probably heard crap talk like that for the whole of his career, why suddenly lose it at that moment?

Absolutely crazy, and such a shame.

Well done Italy. :balloon2:

[Red Peasant]

I remember Mazza at Everton, a very good player but always in some trouble or other! I bet he never thought he'd score in a World Cup final and end up with a winner's medal when he was pitching in with one of our regular relegation dog-fights!

[edyzmedieval]

And the award of least deserved WC victory ever goes too... *drumroll*

Italy!

This was the last football game I'll be watching in at least 10 years time - even longer if the rules and ref equipment isn't changed drastically before that time ends. A team that tries to murder Henry (no doubt the greatest offensive player of the entire tournament), dives twice a minute, cheats and bribes referees, and play injured every fifth minute because they have no endurance and need to drink water and rest. A team that disrupts the play by these things - people are paying for 90 minutes of football not 40 minutes - wins an international championship by lies, deceit, violence and unsportsmanlike behavior of whose like no other team in the tournament showed. Can we blame Italy for cheating, nearly killing a player, and getting this undeserved victory? No, not as long as the rules are so screwed up that they allow and help a team that uses those tricks. Therefore, it's football that I'll quit watching, supporting or showing any interest whatsoever in.

Signed,
LegioXXXUlpiaVictrix

Signed: edyzmedieval. :shame:

[Dutch_guy]

Okay I realise this was a rant but...



This was the last football game I'll be watching in at least 10 years time - even longer if the rules and ref equipment isn't changed drastically before that time ends.

Hmm the ref. did a good job this match, really - what mistake did he make ?


A team that tries to murder Henry (no doubt the greatest offensive player of the entire tournament), dives twice a minute, cheats and bribes referees, and play injured every fifth minute because they have no endurance and need to drink water and rest

I think I'm going to have to agree Big John on this one.


A team that disrupts the play by these things - people are paying for 90 minutes of football not 40 minutes - wins an international championship by lies, deceit, violence and unsportsmanlike behavior of whose like no other team in the tournament showed.

PEople pay for a match of football, and that is what they got, I don't see the problem. They won because they played their game, because Zizou lost his head, and because of a missed penalty. That's what happenend, you might not like it, but that doesnt change a thing.


Can we blame Italy for cheating, nearly killing a player, and getting this undeserved victory? No, not as long as the rules are so screwed up that they allow and help a team that uses those tricks. Therefore, it's football that I'll quit watching, supporting or showing any interest whatsoever in.

I thought Mazzerati almost got killed this match, not Henry - although we might have watched a different match. And personally, I don't think the current fifa held policy is the best one there is, but ''those tricks'' didn't win Italy the tournament.
Now I wouldn't advise you to stop watching football, but thats your own loss.

Also, I'm quite interested as to what Mazzerati said to Zidane, surely it was bad, otherwise Zizou wouldn't have lost his head.

:balloon2:

[Beirut]

Is there a clip of Henry's "attempted murder"?

[Crazed Rabbit]

I don't have a clip, but it looked more like Henry ran into a Italy player, neither of which were close to the ball.

Crazed Rabbit

[Zalmoxis]

I don't understand, Zidane's never an angry guy in the world cup, what did the Italian say to make him do that? I want to know.

[Quid]

I don't understand, Zidane's never an angry guy in the world cup, what did the Italian say to make him do that? I want to know.

Zidane DOES lose his head (no pun intended) at times in games. He was banned for a match already previously in this WC for arguably stupid fouls. The same was true in the 1998 WC. No matter what Mazzeratti did or said, nothing justifies what Zizou did. Good thing it was his last game because he would be banned for quite sometime...

The clash with Henry and Canavaro was unintentional. Neither player was looking where they were going. Plus, it wasn't that bad either, really. Certainly nothing to do with the result. Italy was luckier and, dare I say it, shot excellent penalties; every last one of them.

Quid

[Rodion Romanovich]

Amazing - among the referee team, they had MEDINA CANTALEJO Luis, the idiot who gave Italy a penalty shot in the 2nd round game vs Australia. Says a lot about what little they cared about ref quality. The most poorly reffed finals I've ever seen. The refs determined the game - 10 incorrect free-kicks given to Italy, 4 incorrect cards given to France, 10 free-kicks missed for France, and 3-5 Italian cards ignored.

[Rodion Romanovich]

The clash with Henry and Canavaro was unintentional. Neither player was looking where they were going. Plus, it wasn't that bad either, really. Certainly nothing to do with the result. Italy was luckier and, dare I say it, shot excellent penalties; every last one of them.

Quid

Cannavaro looks to the left just before the impact, then when Henry comes, his fist goes up and hits Henry under the chin, when Cannavaro feels Henry's chest against his elbow and knows exactly where Henry's head is. Call the unintentional? Even if it was, you're responsible for where you keep your body parts. Unintentional hits in situations where the player that was hit didn't seek a situation where he would be hit are also to be punished according to the rules, and have been punished earlier in the tournament. The worst thing is the unsportsmanlike thinking behind the Italian actions in the early minutes - they know the ref doesn't dare to give a deserved red card that early in the game, so they knock two players early on then play without violence but dive through the rest of the game. If you'd be in France's situation, I'm sure you'd lose your head over the poor reffing, and what Zidane did in that situation is nothing compared to what the average player would do. In fact, seeing the opposing team playing so ugly, with the ref on their side, then hearing the opposing team sneering you over how little chance your team has because the opposing team can do anything they like, that's enough to justify much more than what Zidane did. Amazing that mass media mention Zidane's perfectly harmless hit in the chest of Maternazi which was more of a way of marking your disgust than a way of hitting someone, while the extremely dangerous situation where Cannavaro nearly kills Henry, and the later situation where they try to put Viera out of action (and succeed in making him feel the injury 70 minutes later) isn't mentioned at all. This WC final is the greatest football scandal ever IMO, and I'm amazing that anyone even dares put the word unsportsmanlike in their mouthes when mentioning Zidane's action in the game.

[DukeofSerbia]

I don't understand, Zidane's never an angry guy in the world cup, what did the Italian say to make him do that? I want to know.

Remember, in WC 1998 in France Zidane tread Saudis player Nawaf al-Temiat (or similar) and he got red card without reason.

[Fragony]

Congrats to Italy :no:

ehhhhh Zidane? Headbut? Qu'est que c'est?

[PROMETHEUS]

C A M P I O N I D E L M O N D O



http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fifa/20060709/i/561061851.jpg

[Red Peasant]

Hey Prometheus did you go to the Circo Massimo? Looked like an absolutely enormous crowd there. And did they show it on the screens in the Piazza del Populo? I would have loved to have been in Rome yesterday!

[Red Peasant]

In a way, ZZ will get away with what he did. Here in Britain, Duncan Ferguson served time in prison for head-butting a guy on the pitch.

[InsaneApache]

Not to mention 'walling up' some hapless burglars he caught in his home. Talk about asking for it. :sweatdrop:

[Red Peasant]

Not to mention 'walling up' some hapless burglars he caught in his home. Talk about asking for it. :sweatdrop:

He broke his hand on their thieving faces. He'd be great community copper! 'Let me have them for five minutes'

[Fragony]

I don't understand, Zidane's never an angry guy in the world cup, what did the Italian say to make him do that? I want to know.

He called him a terrorist, Zidane is of Algerian descent.

[edyzmedieval]

It's over anyhow. Congratulations to Italy and we'll see who gets it in 2010. :balloon2:

[Mount Suribachi]

He called him a terrorist, Zidane is of Algerian descent.

Is there a link to that? Thats the first I've heard of what he may or may not have said. He also gave Zidane a little nipple tweak 5 seconds before the head-butt. Either way, it is irrelavent. As Martin O Neill said, "it only happens every 15 seconds during a game". Zidane is experienced enough to know better. He's probly been called a terrorist dozens, if not hundreds of times during his career.

But he does have that temper in him - it often seems to be the case with these kind of mercurial players - Cantona, Zidane, Di Canio, Rooney etc - that they can snap at any moment. France were dominating extra time, the best way to get back at Matteratzi would have been to win the game and shake his hand afterwards with a little wink and a "not bad for a terrorist".

Congrats to Italy, France may have been the better team in the final, but I think overall that Italy were the best team in the tournament, and despite what FIFA say, Cannavaro was the best player.

[Fragony]

Is there a link to that? .

Yes sir, it's in italian though :bow:

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/speciale/mondiali/servizi/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech.html

[PROMETHEUS]

France were dominating extra time,

Probably you didn't saw the match , Italy dominated the first time , France played better in the second while the Italians slowed their peace , but the extra time wher not at all dominated by France lol Italy played much better and had much more score occasions then the others , also Italy scored two times , one was ripped of from a non existent outplay while the French only scored becouse of a dubious penalty ....
So Italy deserved it more !

[Ronin]

Yes sir, it's in italian though :bow:

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/speciale/mondiali/servizi/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech.html


It´s an Italian newspaper....quoting "The Guardian" of england, the italian newspaper also says there is no official confirmation of this.....so......doh....:dizzy2:

anyone with a link to the "original"?? Guardian article that states this?

[PROMETHEUS]

Yes sir, it's in italian though :bow:

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/speciale/mondiali/servizi/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech/zidane-domenech.html

It is an unconfirmed rumor from a English newspaper , I wouldn't thrust this labial reading by an anglophone ....

[Fragony]

It is an unconfirmed rumor from a English newspaper , I wouldn't thrust this labial reading by an anglophone ....

If it smacks italians footballers around I always believe it :laugh4:

You are right, it isn't comfirmed, should have said 'supposedly', soz for the confusion.

[Rodion Romanovich]

I think Maternazi should pay damages for such a racistic comment against Zidane! Zidane is the world's second best football player of all, second only to Pélé in skills, and FIFA allows a talentless, racistic brute humiliate him in his last football game before his retirement! Is that how we should thank him for giving us such eyecandy to watch for over a decade?!! :furious3:

[Fragony]

I think Maternazi should pay damages for such a racistic comment against Zidane! Zidane is the world's second best football player of all, second only to Pélé in skills, and FIFA allows a talentless, racistic brute humiliate him in his last football game before his retirement! Is that how we should thank him for giving us such eyecandy to watch for over a decade?!! :furious3:

A headbut is a headbut, he should have grown a thicker skin.

[Dutch_guy]

I think Maternazi should pay damages for such a racistic comment against Zidane! Zidane is the world's second best football player of all, second only to Pélé in skills, and FIFA allows a talentless, racistic brute humiliate him in his last football game before his retirement! Is that how we should thank him for giving us such eyecandy to watch for over a decade?!! :furious3:

Wow what did the Italians do to you, you're pretty bitter !

Oh and even though it would be foolish to deny Zidane's brilliance, second best player of all ? People like PLatini, Maradonna and Cruijff existed too you know.

:balloon2:

[nokhor]

my heart goes out to the french player who was the only one to miss the shot in the shootout. must have felt like the loneliest man in the stadium after the game. he's going to be replaying that in his head for the next 100 years or so.

[Fragony]

Wow what did the Italians do to you, you're pretty bitter !

Oh and even though it would be foolish to deny Zidane's brilliance, second best player of all ? People like PLatini, Maradonna and Cruijff existed too you know.

:balloon2:

Ah Cruijff, not only a great player, but also a true philosopher. My personal favorite: 'The ball is an essential part of the game' :laugh4:

Got to love him.

[LeftEyeNine]

my heart goes out to the french player who was the only one to miss the shot in the shootout. must have felt like the loneliest man in the stadium after the game. he's going to be replaying that in his head for the next 100 years or so.

That French player was David Trezeguet who had killed the Italians in the Euro 2000 final match with his instant silver goal.

So let's judge this as the justice of football. ~:)

[Mount Suribachi]

Probably you didn't saw the match

Probably I did see the match ~;) Italy were the better team in the first half, France were in the 2nd half and in extra time, even with 10 men. But like I said in the same post, IMO Italy were the best team in the tournament.

I'm not even going to bother replying to LegioXXX, I've seen JAG make more rational and balanced posts on George W Bush and the Christian influence on the Republican party :no:

[Shark974]

https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/4522/marmourcopia5xk.jpg
https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3971/casnikcopia7mk.jpg
https://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7346/pavisier201445copia1us.jpg
:balloon2: :2thumbsup: :balloon2:
http://www2.raisport.rai.it/news/rubriche/dribbling/199804/04/3526464f0333b/ZITTI.JPG

[edyzmedieval]

I think Materazzi should pay damages for such a racistic comment against Zidane! Zidane is the world's second best football player of all, second only to Pélé in skills, and FIFA allows a talentless, racistic brute humiliate him in his last football game before his retirement! Is that how we should thank him for giving us such eyecandy to watch for over a decade?!! :furious3:

Signed: Edyzmedieval. :shame:

Raymond Domenech, at the press conference: "I think Materazzi should be the man of the match. He scored the equaliser, and eliminated Zidane." :wall:

[Fragony]

Ah, he supposedly called Zidane's sister a whore. No, also not comfirmed, but never be rude to an arab, even if he's in fact a berber.

[edyzmedieval]

Ah, he supposedly called Zidane's sister a whore. No, also not comfirmed, but never be rude to an arab, even if he's in fact a berber.

Exactly. Be rude to an Arab, and you get smacked really well.(I experienced that.... :skull: )

[Fragony]

Exactly. Be rude to an Arab, and you get smacked really well.(I experienced that.... :skull: )

Et tu Romania??? Dear god learn from us....... :wall:

[Drisos]

look at the movie above.. materazzi trying to kick zidane but in his haste to lie on the ground he missed.. too bad.

materazzi = not a nice guy either.. :no:

weird reaction of Zindane though..:sweatdrop:

[edyzmedieval]

Zidane: Total War

http://www.bastardidentro.it/node/view/18910

:laugh4:

[The Spartan (Returns)]

i just wanna say (even though its been said a thousand times already); even though i wanted Italy to win, they were lucky. some say they cheated. injuring henry in the beggining of the game and zidane headbutting one of the players wasnt good. france was just unlucky. if perhaps zidane didnt headbut anyone and henry wasnt subbed out, perhaps and probably france would have won. imo of course.

[Shark974]

yes, yes ...
https://img116.imageshack.us/img116/3872/buffonzidane6rk.jpg
cry Zidane

http://www.bastardidentro.it/misc/bastardidentro/data/images/img_46dab92e559ea3a64bb06753814d1def1152528562
Cry France

[Rodion Romanovich]

Signed: Edyzmedieval. :shame:

Raymond Domenech, at the press conference: "I think Materazzi should be the man of the match. He scored the equaliser, and eliminated Zidane." :wall:

If he'd say that, he'd be my idol! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

[Proletariat]

https://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2965/zidowned6oi.gif

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Hah, that's great.

I thought france was much more impressive offensively, especially henry. They just couldn't seem to get a good shot off though. France was certainly hurt by viera getting injured, henry cramping, and zidane getting red carded.

I thought the match was well refereed, both teams dove a lot but rarely got a call for it.

[Shark974]

https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3851/zidanesf9ee7kk1qq.gif
You Lose
GAME OVER

[scotchedpommes]

According to some news I just saw on television here, the comment made was
regarding Zidane's mother, and that it was confirmed by Italian sources and the
French players as well. They said under normal circumstances he would most
likely have been able to ignore the comment, but that his mother had been taken
ill in the morning and was in hospital.

It could be said then that Materazzi picked the perfect time to try and push
Zidane's buttons, as it were.

[LeftEyeNine]

He got the top player award. I think, against all odds, this was a nice gesture to farewell one mighty pair of feet off the field. I also feel glad with this award given to Zizou.

:france:

[edyzmedieval]

According to some news I just saw on television here, the comment made was
regarding Zidane's mother, and that it was confirmed by Italian sources and the
French players as well. They said under normal circumstances he would most
likely have been able to ignore the comment, but that his mother had been taken
ill in the morning and was in hospital.

It could be said then that Materazzi picked the perfect time to try and push
Zidane's buttons, as it were.

Materazzi was an idiot, and I say he is also a headbutt-in-the-chest-receiver. Good job Zidane. I don't regret what have you made.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

According to some news I just saw on television here, the comment made was
regarding Zidane's mother, and that it was confirmed by Italian sources and the
French players as well. They said under normal circumstances he would most
likely have been able to ignore the comment, but that his mother had been taken
ill in the morning and was in hospital.

It could be said then that Materazzi picked the perfect time to try and push
Zidane's buttons, as it were.wow.. so it is true.

[Red Peasant]

He got the top player award. I think, against all odds, this was a nice gesture to farewell one mighty pair of feet off the field. I also feel glad with this award given to Zizou.

:france:

This award had already been made by the international sports writers, at the end of normal time I think, before ZZ's piece-de-resistance! :laugh4:
I wonder if they had known what was about to happen ...
I think FIFA are embarrassed. Good.
He still deserved the award. :2thumbsup:

[Dutch_guy]

Well to be honest, as nice as it was to give it to Zizou - who's ending his career - I would have given it to Cannavaro.

Who was in my opinion the best player of the tournament.

:balloon2:

[nokhor]

the alleged insult was given to/came from zidane. it was about mother/father/sister/coach. proffessional lip readers and translators are now involved. this thing has become a sensation of its own.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28783-2263995,00.html

[Mount Suribachi]

"the son of a terrorist whore"

*underwhelmed*

Materazzi probly didn't know Zidane's mother was in hospital, that kind of thing is a pretty standard insult on the football pitch. Y'know, alongside "I gave it to your mother up the *** last night, she was screaming for more" etc etc

Whenever I've been insulted like that, I've found it rather sad & pathetic, and usually laughed it off thinking "what kind of moron gets upset by this stuff?".

Now I know, Zinedine Zidane does!

[Taurus]

https://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3851/zidanesf9ee7kk1qq.gif
You Lose
GAME OVER

hehe nice

[Banquo's Ghost]

Materazzi probly didn't know Zidane's mother was in hospital, that kind of thing is a pretty standard insult on the football pitch. Y'know, alongside "I gave it to your mother up the *** last night, she was screaming for more" etc etc

Whenever I've been insulted like that, I've found it rather sad & pathetic, and usually laughed it off thinking "what kind of moron gets upset by this stuff?".

I'm sure Materrazzi didn't know, and was using the insult just as you say, as a pretty standard jibe.

However, I remember when my mother was in the hospital very seriously ill (indeed she died some days later) and my brother was on the wrong end of such a throwaway comment. He is the gentlest human being I know, but his explosive rage at that moment was so great, it was all I could do to stop him committing a very violent assault. I felt pretty murderous towards the insulter myself.

A man's relationship to his mother is often very special. At a hugely emotional time (y'know, a World Cup Final match isn't common or garden) your mom falls ill, and you worry. Guilt that you should be with her, is compounded by the emotion of a competitive environment. If someone had said something along those lines to me at such a time, I'd probably be a moron like Zidane.

And I wouldn't apologise for it either.

[Shark974]

https://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1859/podbor9999360ho.jpg
http://www.ggzidane.com/images/zidane27.gif
zidane is a recidivist.