England will probably make it to the final. I can't say I rate any of the major teams so far in terms of performance, only the lesser teams have shown any desire to win. Trinidad and Tobago played a strong defence today and who could have thought Australia would score the way they did? I was expecting Japan to whitewash them, but they seemed to be scared to even take a shot when they got into the box. Terrible world cup so far. I just hope I can watch it in the USA - I fly over in a week and a half and I'll be there until long after the final!
Yeah, it was a pretty sad way for Zidane to end his Football career. It's a shame he wasn't out there for the awards. :-(
I just want to know two things: 1) What did the Italian guy say to make Zidane go off like that? 2) Did the referee ACTUALLY see the headbutt, or did he just see the replay on the monitors? Both my wife and I think that it is a perfect way to end a career. He might have been able to make a difference during the PK's, but since he was already injured he might not have done any better. Everyone always talks about "sportsmanship" and acts like athletes aren't allowed to have any emotion whatsoever (look at the NBA and NFL). Well guess what, he is human and obviously something was said that pissed him off. For all we know, the other guy threatened his family or said something that should have been replied to with a headbutt.
1) Its been reported that it was some type of racial slur, possibly about Zidanes children 2) The referee didnt, his assistant did and reported that to the referee. Good to see Italy end the drought, 94, 98 and Euro 2000 were all so close but finally they can add the 4th star to their crest
That's no excuse for being a thug, you'd think after all the years of football he's played he could take a few rude words. If the guy threatened his family, that's a matter for the police. I can't imagine how anyone could possibly consider this anything other than a disgusting, shameful way to end a career.
Word to Alchy. Regardless of what words were thrown at him, he should've at least had the common sense to realize that such an unclassy move was going to be the way he would be remembered.
we won, we won, we won... great! after long years of bad luck! anyway concerning zidan's headbut... i can't believe he did that! i've been playing for 16 years in low level categories and we were often insulted by our opponents, or their parents. If you can't stand that, you have no chances of playing for long. probably he was just to tired and wanted to leave the field..
Maybe that is how he wanted to be remembered. It will take a long time to forget about him now. :shrug: On a side note, this is a perfect opportunity for someone to make a spiritual sequel to "Bill Laimbeer Combat Basketball"... :nod:
Sad that Italy won, because in my opinion they weren't the best team in the tournament. It's been a pretty eventful world cup though, and good to watch
The 2 - 0 vs Germany doesnt sound the same...it probably was the best match of the whole championship, although the game against Australia wasnt that excellent at all...And in the final match we got under in the first half, scored the 1-1, missed twice a second goal - does that sound like not good enough?
True, but I would rather have seen germany, argentina or of course England lifting the trophy. Congratulations none the less to italy.
Congrats for Italy, but the defanatly dont deserve it. They were lucky (same as germany in 2002 , look at how they got into the finals). But the part that agravates me the most is the bet-scandle in italy. 17 of the "world cup winners" will be playing in the 2. or 3. league, thats really sad... Why didn't they settle that before the world cup? None of them would have played or the would have been kicked out really early... BTW: Zidane got voted the best player in the tournament. I like that, he was the best, no ifs and buts about it, regardless of his last action, which is quite understandable.
http://jbetts.com/adios_zidane_med.gif I think most of the Italian players that are in those teams will be sold pretty quickly to other clubs Zidane got voted best player, that must have been before last night! Looks like Matarazzi was goading him throughout the match calling him a terrorist :-( but even though that does still not clear him of his actions Also I like the way Cristiano Ronaldo got stiffed on the Young Player of the tournament after the Rooney affair :lol: I have heard that Rooney was trying to get into the Portugese dressing room after the match. Ronaldo has also said today that he will go on strike if Man Utd don`t sell/trade him Overall I thought it was quite a disappointing world cup
