The Official World Cup 2006 Thread

[BakedBeans]

I just know that Itaöly did not deserve to become World Champion...

Yes, they did... the did more than anyone else to win it and did... frances goal was from a penalty that shouldnt have been given

Of course, but for me it also counts how somebody wins.

For you? What have you got to do with anything? the rules are the rules and the games objective is clear... score more goals than the other team... you get no points for looking good.

Verbal offenses in my book are on the same level as physical attacks.

groovebuster

Rubbish, sorry but total rubbish

A penalty shoot-out out a test of skill?

Yes, it is quite obviously a test of skill. You have to (under extreme pressure) beat the keeper from a shot, using your shooting skill (and the keeper has to try and save it, using his GK skills).

You are not allowed to express your own opinion without harvesting a certain extent of hostility...

Opinions are fine as long as they are rational and based on the truth...

 

[SpaceMagic]

I know this thread is long lost in the midst of about 12 different topics but...

ITALIA! ITALIA! ITALIA!

Hehe, being half italian and having my italian family over from italy to my house in wales, we all watched it on our 40" TV screaming at the top of our voices. It was so fantastic!

When italy got that last penalty we were just exploding... hehe. The street must have thought there was a murder going on!

 

[BakedBeans]

Unfortunately, yes.

And of course you're entitled to your opinion... it's just that the term 'deserve to win' is irrelevant and smacks of sour grapes.

this is right.


The reason that chelsea have won the championship the last two years isn't really because they are a brilliant team (i think that is fair when comparing them to teams like man utd 99 and arsenal 49 game run teams) and it isn't because of the games where they batter teams 5-0 (or 4-1 grrrr) it is because when they are in a tight game on a cold rain night in portsmouth.. they get the winning goal, they do it time and time again.... the reason arsenal did so poor is because nearlly all those 50-50s go the wrong way...

that is what makes a good team a winning team... their abillity to win.

 

[AlBDamned]

It's always amazing how fast people put this stuff together (click on the image to see it move...)

And this... http://tonaz.altervista.org/zidane.html <http://tonaz.altervista.org/zidane.html>

 

[jelloshotsrule]

a solid final (til the last bits) and an entertaining 3rd place game

it's good to see that the world cup confirms that cheaters can win and rewards unsportsmanlike play. italy gets the cup rather than acting awards, and zidane gets the golden boot rather than a public lashing.

at least c. ronaldo only managed 4th.

 

[satty]

I didn't mean necessarily that Germany was supposed to win the tournament, if that is what you are trying here... I just know that Itaöly did not deserve to become World Champion...

I don't know who deserved the World Cup, but I think Germany does, because the pope is German... and I am German, too. How dare the Italians taking this cup with them
Okay, Italy did beat German clearly in a fair fashion, but I was still happy for the German team, because they played much better than I would have ever expected.

I didn't want to excuse his bevaviour. But you shouldn't forget about the inexcusable behaviour of the italian team as well. To act like *******s all the time does not seem to count for you...? In a very emotional situation (like this game was) you can get every person to tick out when you are pushing the right button. This is no question of being accustomed to something like that. Verbal offenses in my book are on the same level as physical attacks.

You might want to give us more details on the "act like *******s all the time", because I don't know what you're talking about.

I only know that this was not the first time Zidane saw a straight red at a world cup; both times very well deserved. Didn't he also get a yellow-red already in this world cup? Judging by this, he must be one of the most indisciplined offenders ever playing in world cups. And I base this not on my feelings or antipathy against someone, but on facts.

I also hate "Verbal offenses", but without microphones on every players shirt it will be close to impossible penalise them. What also surprises me: Who said that the Italian player commited a "verbal offense" or did someone ever consider, that Zidane started a verbal argument and only got a reply?

Without an honest statement from the involved players we will never know. Anyway, I can't think of anything verbal that could justify Zidane's action.

 

[macdaddy121]

I wouldn't listen to what the stupid U.S. announcers were saying they're morons. I seriously doubt it was shown on the screen, as they have never shown controversial things on the screen at any game I've been to.

Oh, and in defense of Zidane, if you see the whole video, you see he was walking away, there was something else said after he tried to walk away that made him react. Now I'm not saying his reaction was a good reaction, but this was his last game and the world cup final, I'm sure his emotions and adrenaline were super high. I'm sure 2 seconds after he did it he regretted it, but he's not to blame for France losing.

The "stupid U.S. announcers" were saying it was on the big screen. The younger announcer who has played soccer for many years was saying how he thought they should not have shown it on the big screen and how he thought it was horrible for them to do that. Did anyone tivo this or anything? Anyone else know what I am talking about? I could have sworn I heard that.

There is no defense for what he did. A nipple pinch? PLEASE!!! I can hear Zidane's thoughts now......"Did that guy just give me a purple nerple? I am gonna ram my head through his chest.....yeah that's a good idea"

The only reason I *liked* France's team was because Zidane. I lost a lot of respect for him because of that one action. Great career that will be overshadowed by his reaction to either some rude comments or a slight pulling of his chest.

Italy deserved to win. Only 2 goals allowed all tournament. One was an own goal and the other was a PK. (I think I'm right about that) Defense wins championships. They were the best overall team. The tournament determines that and they won the tournament. Great World Cup.

 

[jelloshotsrule]

question from ignorant american: what is the next big international soccer event? when are all the various regional championships and such?

it's about time to order fox soccer channel

 

[Blue Velvet]

question from ignorant american: what is the next big international soccer event? when are all the various regional championships and such?

The European Championship is also held every 4 years alternating with the World Cup so that's 2 years away in 2008. This time it's held in Switzerland & Austria... some say it's a better tournament because it has a stronger field.

 

[jelloshotsrule]

The European Championship is also held every 4 years alternating with the World Cup so that's 2 years away in 2008. This time it's held in Switzerland & Austria... some say it's a better tournament because it has a stronger field.

would that be comparable to the concacaf championships, etc? i realize i *could* do my own research.....

also, how can you have a strong field without the USA? hahahahahahahhahahahaha

 

[yojitani]

There is no defense for what he did. A nipple pinch? PLEASE!!! I can hear Zidane's thoughts now......"Did that guy just give me a purple nerple? I am gonna ram my head through his chest.....yeah that's a good idea"

I'm not sure anyone is trying to defend Zidane by making nipple pinch seem like it deserved a headbutt. For most people watching the game, it seemed totally incomprehensible and some of us want to make sense of it. With players like, say, Vinnie Jones, we expect that kind of violence. but Zidane? No one is perfect, but in the last game of an outstanding career?? It just doesn't make sense!!

yt

 

[WildCowboy]

The "stupid U.S. announcers" were saying it was on the big screen...Anyone else know what I am talking about? I could have sworn I heard that.

Yes, the "stupid U.S. announcers" did say that. There have been conflicting reports in the articles I've read, but haven't kept up with any clarifications that may have been made this morning.

Has Zidane made any sort of statement yet? Haven't seen anything...

 

[satty]

Yes, the "stupid U.S. announcers" did say that. There have been conflicting reports in the articles I've read, but haven't kept up with any clarifications that may have been made this morning.

Has Zidane made any sort of statement yet? Haven't seen anything...

According to the BBC website, no nipples involved
As many people guessed, it was something the Italian player said:

Zidane blamed Materazzi comment

I'm not sure anyone is trying to defend Zidane by making nipple pinch seem like it deserved a headbutt. For most people watching the game, it seemed totally incomprehensible and some of us want to make sense of it. With players like, say, Vinnie Jones, we expect that kind of violence. but Zidane? No one is perfect, but in the last game of an outstanding career?? It just doesn't make sense!!

yt

This was not the first straight red card for Zidane in a world cup.
He got one for a similar offence in the '98 world cup.

 

[AlBDamned]

Sources in France say it is believed Materazzi insulted Zidane's mother.

Bloody hell, I was only joking!

 

[wrc fan]

The younger announcer who has played soccer for many years...

Simply playing a sport does not make you a good commentator. And having Dave O'Brien as the other one does not improve things. I wasn't denying that Balboa stated they showed it on the screen, I was denying that it was actually shown on the screen. Until I hear it from a different source, I'll continue to doubt it. So if anyone has a different source stating it was shown and the ref saw it, please provide a link and prove me wrong.

 

[macdaddy121]

Simply playing a sport does not make you a good commentator. And having Dave O'Brien as the other one does not improve things. I wasn't denying that Balboa stated they showed it on the screen, I was denying that it was actually shown on the screen. Until I hear it from a different source, I'll continue to doubt it. So if anyone has a different source stating it was shown and the ref saw it, please provide a link and prove me wrong.

I never said playing the sport made him a good commentator, I was only trying to describe what I knew about him so people could say, "oh yeah, that guy". I don't know why the announcers would lie about it being on the screen. If he never saw it on the screen why would he start talking about how they shouldn't have put it on the screen. Why would you not believe that?

 

[Applespider]

To get this back on a lighter note, I'd like to share one of the amusing sights I saw last night in the Italian celebrations.

There are thousands of people in Trafalgar Square with a hundred or so youngish Italians in one of the fountains.

I was taking a few pictures when a real stereotypical Italian Mama (60ish), in a linen skirt and floral blouse, stood by me with her two adult daughters and a couple of bambini. Her daughter went to take a picture of her beside the fountain.

Then Mama decides to just climb into the fountain and start waving her shoes and handbag around. One daughter climbed in with her with her kid and the other pulled her bambino backwards in horror - at which point the family members in the fountain, led by Mama, started splashing them with so much water that virtually everyone in the area got so wet, they all just climbed in too.

 

[Don't panic]

it's good to see that the world cup confirms that cheaters can win and rewards unsportsmanlike play.

??
you might want to substantiate that with something more solid than your prejudice? sorry, but in soccer like in politics, repeating lies ad nauseam doesn't make them true.
yesterday the unsportmanlike behaviour was french. from the dive that got the penalty in the sixth minute to that unexcusable act by zidane (and passing through several very doubtful 'falls' by henry and zidane himself), so if anything the final showed that for once the 'cheaters' DIDN'T win.

 

[jelloshotsrule]

??
you might want to substantiate that with something more solid than your prejudice? sorry, but in soccer like in politics, repeating lies ad nauseam doesn't make them true.
yesterday the unsportmanlike behaviour was french. from the dive that got the penalty in the sixth minute to that unexcusable act by zidane (and passing through several very doubtful 'falls' by henry and zidane himself), so if anything the final showed that for once the 'cheaters' DIDN'T win.

you're right, they didn't cheat (much) in the final game, whereas, like i said in my original post, zidane's headbutt still didn't keep him from receiving the golden boot or whatever trophy... ie, that cheater (or really just a bad sport/jerk) still won. the italians only cheated and flopped through most of the other games.

 

[whocares]

You can read, right? I just said that I didn't think of any team in particular...

What is your problem? The italians are World Champions... period! Still in my opinion they did not deserve it. I think I have the right to be entitled to my own opinion, even though it doesn't change the final outcome.

groovebuster

What is *your* problem?

Italy won. Many would say they deserve it. Many would say they don't. But the truth of the fact is deserve ain't got nothing to do with it. They won. Period.

I think your just sore because we got * * * * before Germany did.

Last line was a joke, BTW.

You are a virtuoso, a genius of football and an exceptional human being. That is why France admires you.

Yeah, I think all youngsters with difficult backgrounds/social environments should admire ZZ and act like him. What a plonker Chirac is. emphasis mine

 

[whocares]

you're right, they didn't cheat (much) in the final game, whereas, like i said in my original post, zidane's headbutt still didn't keep him from receiving the golden boot or whatever trophy... ie, that cheater (or really just a bad sport/jerk) still won. the italians only cheated and flopped through most of the other games.

The golden ball may be based on votes cast before the final. In any case, I hope it was.

As for the penalty, the first was a bit dubious, but France was denied a second one they deserved.

 

[xsedrinam]

[deepbreathevery1] Okay, I wanted a South American side to win it all. We got beat. Fair and square and deserve are just nuance and moot. That's why they play. This thread has been fun for all soccer fans from all over the planet. I hope it doesn't degenerate to another verbal head butting of exchanges. It deserves a better ending. Play nice. [/deepbreathevery1]

 

[Applespider]

The golden ball may be based on votes cast before the final. In any case, I hope it was.

Apparently the majority of the votes were in before the start of extra time. I wonder how many wished they'd waited.

 

[xsedrinam]

The golden ball may be based on votes cast before the final. In any case, I hope it was.

This confirms that the deciding media vote was cast prior to the ejection. I thought it interesting that Brazil and Spain shared the "Fair Play Award".

 

[XIII]

As for the penalty, the first was a bit dubious, but France was denied a second one they deserved.

Yes. Second one was a definite penalty, first one had to be given as a penalty too, the guy ran across him. Ref. just didn't have the balls to call 2 pen's for France in the WC Final.