Should have been in the face. What a waste of a head-butt.
All respect for him, lost. What a stupid way to end a career.
WTF was that Zidane? What a fool. Unbelievable. I can't wait to hear Zidane's side of the story.
France deserved to win this game. They were the better side after the first half but if you had asked me what would be the worst possible way for Zidane to finish his career I doubt I could've come up with anything close to that.
Was Barthez in the neighborhood of any penalty kicks? France has got to have a better goalie than him(they sure need to find one now)....just like Germany did to replace a nowadays very crappy Kahn.
I don't know. . . I think with one headbutt Zidane ingratiated himself with a legion of supporters that previously had respect for him, but no passion.
The entire pub was cheering wildly. Besides, Cantona is still generally loved, and he did something genuinely stupid. I can't really blame Zidane all that much. Italy beat them narrowly on penalties, and France's goal came from a dive.
Does anyone remember "the birds follow the trawler . ."
I'm sometimes amazed that it seems people are watching entirely different games than the ones shown on TV??? Italy was the better team in the first half, not France. France was better in the second. Split for the OT halves too.
France scores on dubious penalty call to open. Lippi chooses same starting 11 despite contradictory evidence from previous matches, Camaronese and Totti shouldn't have started, IMHO, and maybe Toni got too much time, or not enough help, or maybe both. In any event, he has intruded less on the Italian side than some other managers, and that was the difference.
And, despite the whining, and one game, the officiating was leagues better than we saw in 2002.
As I said before, we would see European power in this tournament, and Italy, quietly riding an unbeaten streak on the way in (something too many prognosticators ignored) would win it. So call me pretty satisfied. All Euro final four, with 6 of final 8, and Italy on top as predicted. Now, all bow before me...
I believe that *I* actually predicted that Zidane would headbutt someone in the chest and be ejected from the championship match, I just can't find it right now.
Except in Brasil's case... That said, they won't win it this year. European teams will play with something to prove after their universally poor showing in Japan/Korea last time round, and the refs will call a style of play more suited to their tactics, ie, physical, and with an actual understanding of tackles and off-sides.
I pick Italy to win this year's tournament, England, France, Germany, to make good showings, and none of either USA, Japan, Korea to advance to the second round. At least one African country will surprise, as well may one Latin American nation (besides Argentina or Brazil). The soccer nations of the old world order are going to play with extreme prejudice after the humiliation of 2002...
3 of my picks in the final 4, all in the final 8, and the correct first round exits. I should have put some money down, but inevitably that would have led to a different outcome...
I'm sometimes amazed that it seems people are watching entirely different games than the ones shown on TV??? Italy was the better team in the first half, not France. France was better in the second. Split for the OT halves too.
I concur...I saw Italy being better the first half although I'm not sure about Italy being better in any half other than the first half of regulation. I don't see anyone saying France played better than Italy in the first half. Who are you referring to?
Quote:
France scores on dubious penalty call to open. Lippi chooses same starting 11 despite contradictory evidence from previous matches, Camaronese and Totti shouldn't have started, IMHO, and maybe Toni got too much time, or not enough help, or maybe both. In any event, he has intruded less on the Italian side than some other managers, and that was the difference.
It's Camoranesi by the way. The same guy who played in Mexico for a few years in case you're in the US and may have seen him on tv before they started showing the calcio. Totti, I agree shouldn't have started. Italy did a lot of pressuring in that first half. I'm guessing the game plan was to not let France breathe and score a goal. One goal and then just be Italy. The catenaccio isn't dead.
Quote:
And, despite the whining, and one game, the officiating was leagues better than we saw in 2002.
Leagues better?? Not sure about that. It was just as shitty although probably not as controversial.
Quote:
As I said before, we would see European power in this tournament, and Italy, quietly riding an unbeaten streak on the way in (something too many prognosticators ignored) would win it. So call me pretty satisfied. All Euro final four, with 6 of final 8, and Italy on top as predicted. Now, all bow before me...
I see you predicted Italy. Good call. I honestly couldn't predict a winner especially after I realized Parreira was gonna stick with the old and unfit players. Brasil plays the same team they played at the confederations cup and we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.
Saying you would see "european power" in this tournament wasn't quite going out on a limb considering European teams make up almost half of the entire field. It was predictable. No one has won a WC outside of their continent except for Brasil who've done it twice....
And as for a "poor" and "humilliating" Euro showing in 2002.... 9 of the 16 in the second round were Euros. 4 of the quarterfinalists were Euros. Two of the final four were Euros and of the other two, Korea got there by "beating" Spain with a lof of help from the refs.(two goals disallowed). Korea had "beaten" Italy in an earlier round with almost as much help from the refs.(Totti red card). One of the finalists was Euro. How is that poor and humiliating?
Well it's been good discussing the World cup guys, but it's back to being a postless lurker on the Apple related threads for me. I think all up I probably made more posts in this thread than I've made on the rest of the forums
Leagues better?? Not sure about that. It was just as shitty although probably not as controversial.
There is always a blemish or two, but this time 'round, the refs understood off-sides. And all the crying about dives is really just that, the refs did a good job, with the one Portuguese game the only glaring exception.
Quote:
I see you predicted Italy. Good call. I honestly couldn't predict a winner especially after I realized Parreira was gonna stick with the old and unfit players. Brasil plays the same team they played at the confederations cup and we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.
Not so sure about that, the manager's job is never easy. He took a lot of heat for playing Ronaldo, but Ronaldo was far from the least effective man on the pitch. Ronaldinho wasted countless possessions, and he would be counted amongst that younger set...
Quote:
Saying you would see "european power" in this tournament wasn't quite going out on a limb considering European teams make up almost half of the entire field. It was predictable. No one has won a WC outside of their continent except for Brasil who've done it twice....
So you would rather make an adventurous prediction than the right one?
Quote:
And as for a "poor" and "humilliating" Euro showing in 2002.... 9 of the 16 in the second round were Euros. 4 of the quarterfinalists were Euros. Two of the final four were Euros and of the other two, Korea got there by "beating" Spain with a lof of help from the refs.(two goals disallowed). Korea had "beaten" Italy in an earlier round with almost as much help from the refs.(Totti red card). One of the finalists was Euro. How is that poor and humiliating?
I would say only one o the fianl four were Euros Turkey doesn't really count...
Neither the Italians nor the French helped themselves at that tournament. The Italians were cheated, but they played lazy disorganized ball. The French just went to sleep on the field for the worst title defence ever. And regardless of how they lost (PK's after some considerable help by the officiating), you can bet Spain was nothing but embarrassed to be escorted out by the Koreans. Which in the Italy and Spain games brings up that point about officiating again.
All told, France, Italy, and Germany were in the final four, and if Rooney was a little more disciplined, and C.Ronaldo wasn't such a dick*, England might have been there too. I find it useless to try and predict the final four before the opening round since so much can happen to put real contenders on the same side of the draw.
There is always a blemish or two, but this time 'round, the refs understood off-sides. And all the crying about dives is really just that, the refs did a good job, with the one Portuguese game the only glaring exception.
There were a ton of missed offsides and handballs and refs buying the dives and not carding the divers when they let play go.
Quote:
Not so sure about that, the manager's job is never easy. He took a lot of heat for playing Ronaldo, but Ronaldo was far from the least effective man on the pitch. Ronaldinho wasted countless possessions, and he would be counted amongst that younger set...
Never said it was easy. That's why they have assistants and scouts, nutritionists and trainers. Even a psychologist. Ronaldo wasn't the only one I was referring to when I said old and unfit. Although coming to the cup at least 15 lbs. overweight was ridiculous injuries aside.
There was a very old and slow Cafú, Roberto Carlos, and Emerson. Brasilian style depends a lot on attacking down the lines and neither Cafú or RC provided much of that. Cicinho and Gilberto did provide that in their best game of the tournament. RoNikedinho was a no show and didn't do much in attack or defense.
Quote:
So you would rather make an adventurous prediction than the right one?
Saying a tournament would see "European power" when the WC was held in Europe with almost half of the field being european is not what I would call a prediction. It was more like stating the obvious. Now picking Italy to win it was a prediction.
Quote:
I would say only one o the fianl four were Euros Turkey doesn't really count...
I'm sure you have your reasons but Turkey is in Europe and qualifies in Europe, and a European team making it to the final is far from "humiliating or poor".
Quote:
you can bet Spain was nothing but embarrassed to be escorted out by the Koreans. Which in the Italy and Spain games brings up that point about officiating again.
Well no kidding. But having two legitimate goals disallowed, one in regular time and the other one in extra time was something out of their control.
Well, going back to the Zidane incident it appears Materazzi may have called Zidane's sister a whore on more than one occasion during the game. There is another version that he called Zidane an" islamic terrorist".
Come on FIFA, let's get the lip readers going already.
Zidane was also elected the best player of the WC.
Comments
Originally posted by midwinter
"Hey Zidane! Bet you won't headbutt me in the chest!"
Originally posted by audiopollution
Should have been in the face. What a waste of a head-butt.
All respect for him, lost. What a stupid way to end a career.
WTF was that Zidane? What a fool. Unbelievable. I can't wait to hear Zidane's side of the story.
France deserved to win this game. They were the better side after the first half but if you had asked me what would be the worst possible way for Zidane to finish his career I doubt I could've come up with anything close to that.
Was Barthez in the neighborhood of any penalty kicks? France has got to have a better goalie than him(they sure need to find one now)....just like Germany did to replace a nowadays very crappy Kahn.
Originally posted by Vox Barbara
...
ZZ is working in his very own universe.
...
Unfortunately i am breaching my own rule, never reply your
own post. But i really have to. ZZ is trapped in his
own universe now. What a piti he choosed to depart this
way. He deserved better. Fate?
Originally posted by Vox Barbara
Unfortunately i am breaching my own rule, never reply your
own post. But i really have to. ZZ is trapped in his
own universe now. What a piti he choosed to depart this
way. He deserved better. Fate?
Who knows
I feel sorry for him. For such a legend, that's really not the way to finish up.
As for the game, I still haven't seen it yet. I'm not sure I want to watch it now
Anyway, congratulations to Italy. I really didn't expect them to win, but they did somehow.
The entire pub was cheering wildly. Besides, Cantona is still generally loved, and he did something genuinely stupid. I can't really blame Zidane all that much. Italy beat them narrowly on penalties, and France's goal came from a dive.
Does anyone remember "the birds follow the trawler . ."
France scores on dubious penalty call to open. Lippi chooses same starting 11 despite contradictory evidence from previous matches, Camaronese and Totti shouldn't have started, IMHO, and maybe Toni got too much time, or not enough help, or maybe both. In any event, he has intruded less on the Italian side than some other managers, and that was the difference.
And, despite the whining, and one game, the officiating was leagues better than we saw in 2002.
As I said before, we would see European power in this tournament, and Italy, quietly riding an unbeaten streak on the way in (something too many prognosticators ignored) would win it. So call me pretty satisfied. All Euro final four, with 6 of final 8, and Italy on top as predicted. Now, all bow before me...
As for the rest, doubt me not,
from this thread:
Except in Brasil's case... That said, they won't win it this year. European teams will play with something to prove after their universally poor showing in Japan/Korea last time round, and the refs will call a style of play more suited to their tactics, ie, physical, and with an actual understanding of tackles and off-sides.
I pick Italy to win this year's tournament, England, France, Germany, to make good showings, and none of either USA, Japan, Korea to advance to the second round. At least one African country will surprise, as well may one Latin American nation (besides Argentina or Brazil). The soccer nations of the old world order are going to play with extreme prejudice after the humiliation of 2002...
3 of my picks in the final 4, all in the final 8, and the correct first round exits. I should have put some money down, but inevitably that would have led to a different outcome...
Originally posted by Matsu
I'm sometimes amazed that it seems people are watching entirely different games than the ones shown on TV??? Italy was the better team in the first half, not France. France was better in the second. Split for the OT halves too.
I concur...I saw Italy being better the first half although I'm not sure about Italy being better in any half other than the first half of regulation. I don't see anyone saying France played better than Italy in the first half. Who are you referring to?
France scores on dubious penalty call to open. Lippi chooses same starting 11 despite contradictory evidence from previous matches, Camaronese and Totti shouldn't have started, IMHO, and maybe Toni got too much time, or not enough help, or maybe both. In any event, he has intruded less on the Italian side than some other managers, and that was the difference.
It's Camoranesi by the way. The same guy who played in Mexico for a few years in case you're in the US and may have seen him on tv before they started showing the calcio. Totti, I agree shouldn't have started. Italy did a lot of pressuring in that first half. I'm guessing the game plan was to not let France breathe and score a goal. One goal and then just be Italy. The catenaccio isn't dead.
And, despite the whining, and one game, the officiating was leagues better than we saw in 2002.
Leagues better?? Not sure about that. It was just as shitty although probably not as controversial.
As I said before, we would see European power in this tournament, and Italy, quietly riding an unbeaten streak on the way in (something too many prognosticators ignored) would win it. So call me pretty satisfied. All Euro final four, with 6 of final 8, and Italy on top as predicted. Now, all bow before me...
I see you predicted Italy. Good call. I honestly couldn't predict a winner especially after I realized Parreira was gonna stick with the old and unfit players. Brasil plays the same team they played at the confederations cup and we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.
Saying you would see "european power" in this tournament wasn't quite going out on a limb considering European teams make up almost half of the entire field. It was predictable. No one has won a WC outside of their continent except for Brasil who've done it twice....
And as for a "poor" and "humilliating" Euro showing in 2002.... 9 of the 16 in the second round were Euros. 4 of the quarterfinalists were Euros. Two of the final four were Euros and of the other two, Korea got there by "beating" Spain with a lof of help from the refs.(two goals disallowed). Korea had "beaten" Italy in an earlier round with almost as much help from the refs.(Totti red card). One of the finalists was Euro. How is that poor and humiliating?
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Does anyone remember "the birds follow the trawler . ."
Ahh, Cantona. I hereby propose an ultimate fighting match(do they still have those?) between Zinadine "Headbutt" Zidane and Eric "Kung-fu" Cantona.
I'd forgotten about that quote. I hated the guy but I enjoyed watching him play.
I had to go to work as they were in overtime, so hearing this from you guys as music to my ears.
France did an excellent job... they should be proud they made it so far.
503 posts, actually i didn't expect that from the get go.
Who has some insights about most successful
threads ever, say, threads with 100+ post something,
just curious.
cheers
Originally posted by Gilsch
Leagues better?? Not sure about that. It was just as shitty although probably not as controversial.
There is always a blemish or two, but this time 'round, the refs understood off-sides. And all the crying about dives is really just that, the refs did a good job, with the one Portuguese game the only glaring exception.
I see you predicted Italy. Good call. I honestly couldn't predict a winner especially after I realized Parreira was gonna stick with the old and unfit players. Brasil plays the same team they played at the confederations cup and we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.
Not so sure about that, the manager's job is never easy. He took a lot of heat for playing Ronaldo, but Ronaldo was far from the least effective man on the pitch. Ronaldinho wasted countless possessions, and he would be counted amongst that younger set...
Saying you would see "european power" in this tournament wasn't quite going out on a limb considering European teams make up almost half of the entire field. It was predictable. No one has won a WC outside of their continent except for Brasil who've done it twice....
So you would rather make an adventurous prediction than the right one?
And as for a "poor" and "humilliating" Euro showing in 2002.... 9 of the 16 in the second round were Euros. 4 of the quarterfinalists were Euros. Two of the final four were Euros and of the other two, Korea got there by "beating" Spain with a lof of help from the refs.(two goals disallowed). Korea had "beaten" Italy in an earlier round with almost as much help from the refs.(Totti red card). One of the finalists was Euro. How is that poor and humiliating?
I would say only one o the fianl four were Euros
Neither the Italians nor the French helped themselves at that tournament. The Italians were cheated, but they played lazy disorganized ball. The French just went to sleep on the field for the worst title defence ever. And regardless of how they lost (PK's after some considerable help by the officiating), you can bet Spain was nothing but embarrassed to be escorted out by the Koreans. Which in the Italy and Spain games brings up that point about officiating again.
All told, France, Italy, and Germany were in the final four, and if Rooney was a little more disciplined, and C.Ronaldo wasn't such a dick*, England might have been there too. I find it useless to try and predict the final four before the opening round since so much can happen to put real contenders on the same side of the draw.
Originally posted by Matsu
There is always a blemish or two, but this time 'round, the refs understood off-sides. And all the crying about dives is really just that, the refs did a good job, with the one Portuguese game the only glaring exception.
There were a ton of missed offsides and handballs and refs buying the dives and not carding the divers when they let play go.
Not so sure about that, the manager's job is never easy. He took a lot of heat for playing Ronaldo, but Ronaldo was far from the least effective man on the pitch. Ronaldinho wasted countless possessions, and he would be counted amongst that younger set...
Never said it was easy. That's why they have assistants and scouts, nutritionists and trainers. Even a psychologist. Ronaldo wasn't the only one I was referring to when I said old and unfit. Although coming to the cup at least 15 lbs. overweight was ridiculous injuries aside.
There was a very old and slow Cafú, Roberto Carlos, and Emerson. Brasilian style depends a lot on attacking down the lines and neither Cafú or RC provided much of that. Cicinho and Gilberto did provide that in their best game of the tournament. RoNikedinho was a no show and didn't do much in attack or defense.
So you would rather make an adventurous prediction than the right one?
Saying a tournament would see "European power" when the WC was held in Europe with almost half of the field being european is not what I would call a prediction. It was more like stating the obvious. Now picking Italy to win it was a prediction.
I would say only one o the fianl four were Euros Turkey doesn't really count...
you can bet Spain was nothing but embarrassed to be escorted out by the Koreans. Which in the Italy and Spain games brings up that point about officiating again.
Well no kidding. But having two legitimate goals disallowed, one in regular time and the other one in extra time was something out of their control.
Come on FIFA, let's get the lip readers going already.
Zidane was also elected the best player of the WC.