Championship is over, and I feel a bit sentimental now. four weeks of good sports, exceptionally good weather and a unbelievable athmosphere here in germany - I’d love that to continue for a while.
the german team was “champion of the hearts” one million fans celebrated them in berlin as if they had won the big final.
the final, though, leaves a bit of a bitter taste. my sympathies were with the french, and they were in control of the game most of the time, until that headbutt of Zidane. I still can’t believe it, the best european player of the last decade in his very last football game, and what a lapse! he destroyed his own legend and did severe damage to french football - impossible to hand over the cup to him afterwards. OTOH I am not happy with the italians to win the cup, either. firstly, there is too much scandal and unsportsmanlike behaviour in italian football, secondly they played old, defensive style and I really hate to see that rewarded. it also hurt to see how they treated the cup. call me old fashioned but I don’t believe that a german (or english) player would dare to touch the cup until it was officially handed over to them…
nevertheless, it was a great time and I hope some of you shared the good feelings we had here
I agree, its interesting to see how Buffon and Matterazi wound up Zidane before
the headbutt… I hope one day such ‘actions’ will be better controlled in World
Cups. According to a French player who didnt want to be named Matterazi
insulted Zizou’s arab heritage. I’m throughly ashamed to have any Italian
blood coursing through my veins.
Well done to the Germans for putting on a great show and hopefully putting
the German stereotype to rest… Let’s see how long this thread lasts… Lol
My inlaws and wife found a way to get my kids cheering on the blue yesterday. I’m like - “What’s your last name again?? EH???” to no avail…then I had to buy my own wine, good for me, better than the homemade twig-flavoured murky juice that get’s forced on me otherwise… pfffftt…
It was Henry who said that, according to french newspaper. Rumour mill wants Materazzi said Zidane’s family were bunch of terrorists or something of the kind. Given the publicity given, I have little doubt this will be thouroughly investigated.
That said what Zidane did was unforgivable, not as a captain, not on his last match. Italy won on penalty, and on a sour note. It could have been better but they won, let applaud them sportingly.
And agreed, Germany is the real winner here.
re: Lenght. My guess is this one will get mowed down as soon as another bigot raise his ugly head and break Clint’s rules:p
I still think that you guys who dis the Italians all the time for their dives should be consistent and honest in your condemnation and recognize that France’s first goal was the result of a dive that fooled the ref. That said, it didn’t affect the outcome because there was a real foul (not called) later in the game in the penalty area that should have resulted in a PK. I think the ref was told he called the first one wrong and so he didn’t call the 2nd.
And whatever was said to Zidane does not excuse his behavior. It’s really a terrible shame as he leaves now under a shadow instead of as a hero.
too bad it’s over… Great job by Germany hosting the games and fans! I’ve heard nothing but outstanding reviews from Germany.
Actually, Zidane is going to leave famous around the world, even to non-soccer fans. Those nations who play soap opera on top of sport have to be dealt with in international play. FIFA looks stupid, and I’ve been told they don’t like that…
Having said that, penalty shots/kicks to settle a major event is stupid, period. Play the game to settle it, if the game is intrinsically biased against scoring = settling, well, time to lace up the skates and play a real game… And yes, I realize without penalties it should have been settled at full time Italy 1:0 France.
Did you watch the game Brad or were you testing the wines from the different
countries instead of watching?
Give me a bottle of Chilean, Aussie or SA wine instead anyday!
I feel sorry for Zidane, but having a personal moment when your playing for your country, on the world stage, for the penultimate prize, in your last game, as the captain…
Italy won, defensive football was rewarded. Penalties decide the final result. I agree with VEO penalties as a way to settle is hopeless especially on such a high level arena.
Ho Hum. Only another four years and it starts again
I went through some good Chilean, drank a lot of Aussie and Kiwi while I had family down there, have recently settled on a nice South African as my house White, while I’m keeping with a good Chilean red. Of course, that’s for my guests, I get stuck with the local… And yes, I actually watched the 2nd half…that makes, with extra time in a couple games this tournament, the first and last 120 minutes of futbahl I’ll ever waste my time on again (presuming, of course, Canada never makes it…).
Sure its forgiveable. I forgive him. Its hardly GBH is it? Rooney’s stamp was worse for a start.
Now, the really interesting thing is: If 4 Italian clubs are about to be found guilty of match fixing how did they do this without players being involved? And if players are implicated (and I dont see how they can not be implicated) then does the whole world cup need to be replayed?
If the match fixing trial had been any earlier it might have resulted in half
of the Italian team being banned from the World Cup. Probably why it
took a few months for the trial to start. There have been numerous calls
in Italy to ‘forigve’ the 4 teams in light of the World Cup victory or as
I call it debacle…
Now thats fair play on every level… As soon as the football trial finishes
the trial of the ex PM for fraud starts… I rest my case.
Still undecided over Rooney’s stamp after the watching the video evidence
countless times… The only person who knows for sure is Rooney himself
and the truth will come out when he publishes his first biography.
Even if there was provocation, some one of Zidanes stature, should not retaliate…
Most men will retaliate if insulted over something close to his heart,
whatever the comment was it hit the intended spot. IMO Zidane is
the victim if it was rascist and respect to him if it was for taking the
law in to his own hands. Sometimes such events can be
a catalyst for postive change in in the long run but that depends
on FIFA’s investigation into the events. In future, audio grid array
World Cup pitches and threaten bans to players who resort to
provocation. Even Sepp Blatter, FIFA President is on record saying
he ‘understood’ why Zizou did it. The winds of change are
out there, just depends if its a light breeze or a storm.
With highly directional and sensitive mikes, cricketers and rugby players have had to ease up on the sledging. In Aussie a few league and cricket players have been slapped in the head by the various sport proffessional bodies for on field comments caught on tape, it’s made everyone realise that it’s not a private game and be more careful . Someones mike shoulda caught something. I’m sure it will all come out in someones dirty washing
As you said, “most men” will react, but Zizou isn’t “most men” under that circumstance, last match, his stature in the world, etc… He knew who he was facing, having played in Italy a few years, and the assuymed Italian player is a known abuser. Last news are he will talk in a day or two. Newspaper are already printing what was supposedly said.
If things like that were said in the first place, it’s too due to the fact some fella thought they could get away with it in the first place. It’s much like administrating a forum or a network, it’s up to the admin to make sure the rules are applied equally. Let’s see what FIFA will do.
And no there will not be any amnesty. The trial will carry on, or so Italy’s prime said as he welcomed the winners home.
thank god they have prodi now, whatever he does can’t be worse than berlusconi. it seems consequent that there is a sports scandal in a country that was ruled by someone that corrupt.
meanwhile it’s obvious that its a bitter victory for italy, the press all over the world shares this opinion. australia should have beaten them
Over the Italian match fixing scandal:
Justice Minister Clemente Mastella called for a judgment that “takes into account the victory in Berlin”. Let’s do what they did in ancient Rome: whoever has given us prestige and dignity should be treated differently, as one who has done something exemplary," added Mastella.
And this is a ‘justice’ minister!!! Unbelievable! Lol
re: Lenght. My guess is this one will get mowed down as soon as another bigot raise his ugly head and break Clint’s rules
eh, so i guess i should head butt you. ( a joke, settle down)
zidane lost his temper, at a really poor time. it might have cost his team the cup, but given the italian total defensive posture, the match was destined for kicks. the defensive style of play was rewarded, and the player materazzi(sic?) was so grieviously injuried, got right back up and played. his stamina and toughness, astounding! the man fell over like he was shot. hadn’t seen a dive like that since the french penalty kick. not condoning zindanes action, but defense and diving, two problems that plagued a great tourney.
Only another four years and it starts again 