2006 World Cup

So it´s Italy vs France then. Unfortunately only the penalty making the difference. France was not playing well and several Portuguese incl Oscar winner C Ronaldo did not make much impression by trying too hard to get the penalty...

Barthez seems to have a habbit of losing control of the ball once or twice during the game in front of the goal and that might cost them dearly...

We´ll see if France can play better on Sunday. And will Nesta play, the news is he won´t but we´ll see!

 

I agree with all you say Kai. I don’t think the France-Portugal game was anything exceptional, and the attitude of the Portuguese was frankly appalling. While I’m pleased to see much greater rationale in the issuing of cards, a couple for play-acting would definitely have been in order. And, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Barthez wearing brown shorts on Sunday .

Sad about Nesta, however, why change the back four if he was fit? In fact why change the starting line-up? Rather, I think I would, but I also think Lippi is justified in going for more of the same. If he views the ‘game of two halves’ with the half way point being after 90 minutes, he’s probably scheduling the substitutions? IMHO, to be bold from the beginning, play Barone for Camoranesi in right midfield, and Gilardino for Totti but as a Centre Forward . With this format I don’t think Toni would knacker himself so much, but, if he were to be changed late on I’d put on Inzaghi. If even more goals are wanted at the end , pull off Perrotta and add Iaquinta - awesome

Only general observation, Italy to watch being swamped by a broad French attack – i.e. Perrotta to be mindful to play deeper cover on the left and pick-up any loose attackers. Oh yes, and gently remind Grosso he is primarily a defender – as well as being one hell of a Wing Back .

No.9

 

They already named it, btw:

You get to see Barthez play soccolleyball (soccer + volleyball).

 

"They already named it, btw:"

Really? where's that then Kai? All I see in the Italian press is that Italy trained behind closed doors today and will delay their journey to Berlin because of the storms.

No.9

 

07 July - There are reports that having served his 4 match ban stemming from the game against the USA, 22 year old Daniele De Rossi could replace Mauro Camoranesi in the World Cup Final against France. Today’s training session was behind closed doors, but it’s believed Coach Marcello Lippi alternated Camoranesi and De Rossi in the first choice midfield.

Certainly would be an improvement over Camoranesi and, at appropriate times, a more effective attacker. Not specifically a right winger, but probably considered versatile enough? Can’t help thinking it strengthens the case for having Gilardino on to work with Toni, but, there seems to be a lot of support in the press for Totti. Heart over head?

No.9

 

Barring a bit of dust settling, FIFA have now dished out penalties for offences most in the public eye. First was De Rossi for a back-elbow in the USA match – 4 match suspension and £4’800. In the light of incidents in other matches this was probably excessive. The ‘back-elbow’ was not aimed and the player hit neither fell over nor retired from the game. Made all the worse because it broke the skin – perhaps over the upper eye orbit – making a bloody mess that looked far worse than it actually was.

Then there was the punch-up after the Germany v Argentina match ended. Only partially caught in the background of a camera shot, Argentinean unused substitute Cufre, went and kicked Germany player Mertesacker in the nuts . Deliberate and in Law actually constitutes an offence. He gets a 4 match ban and £4’800 fine. Others singled out – because they were caught on camera – were Argentinean Rodriguez, a 2 match ban and £2’400 fine; and German Frings who was effectively banned for 1 game and fined £2’400. Ironically, Frings would probably not have received attention except for the unexplained action of a German newspaper. Amid widespread praise for Germany’s efforts to welcome the world and help everyone have a great time, one German newspaper suddenly published an unprovoked attack on Italians – not the Italian players, but the Italian nation? Yeah I know – rich coming from Germany . The result was threefold. 1. They got themselves reported to the EEC Commission; 2. They really fired-up the Italian players for the game against Germany; and 3. Sky Italia TV presented FIFA with exclusive film of Frings punching Julio Cruz. A second Germany newspaper appeared to join this bizarre slagging, mentioning the Mafia? However, retractions and apologies were immediately published the following day. Reports are unconfirmed if the editor found a horse’s head in his bed that night .

Last but not least, ‘ugg’ Rooney was banned for two games and fined £2’400 for playing the wrong balls, i.e. the ones inside Ricardo Carvalho's shorts .

No.9

 

congrats you non-deserving slimes from my Italien side of the Familie ...... Castelli

now back to the TdF exciting it is !!

 

________________________________click pic________________________________
__________ ________

No.9

 

Congrats Italy!!!

Really sad to see, ZZ could have ended his career in a much better way than this...

 

___ ___


An amazing result, even if not as good a game as Italy v Germany. Despite FIFA declaring Pirlo Man-of-the-Match, I think it very very hard to call. While on Pirlo, I would have though at least a few of the so-called professional commentators of World Sport could have got closer to the proper pronunciation. It’s not ‘Purr-low’, it’s ‘Pier-lo’ .

We’ve still got the roll-on of the ’terrible insult’ being claimed by Zidane supporters which is supposed to have provoked his thug antics. Allegedly, some South American lip-reader claims Materazzi made a remark about his sister? Zidane, who spoke first, had his back to the camera so no reading for him. I’ll throw my hat into the speculation ring as follows. The events were that Del Piero fell over his own feet dribbling the ball (or trying to) and knocked it as he fell – technically hand-ball so a Free Kick to France. This is somewhere in the middle of the park so no goal threat. Players milled about seeing if they might receive the pass and Materazzi found himself close to Zidane and decided to mark him. From behind and in no forceful way, he put his right arm loosely in front of him across his chest. To have done so forcefully would have resulted in a foul – totally pointless – and you see far stronger moves in front of a goal when a corner is about to be taken. Zidane moves away, turned and spoke to Materazzi. I guess something like; ”Don’t touch me again”, to which Materazzi could have replied; ”That’s not what your sister says”. Zidane is then seen to walk away with a grin on his face before the incident.

The Algerian, who grew up in the dockland town of Marseilles, is known for lashing out. e.g. A two game ban 8 years ago for stamping on the thigh of a Saudi Arabian player, and a five game ban for head-butting a Hamburger player. Maybe they also knew his sister .


Within the ultimate win and all the ensuing accolades, I still feel there’s room for some observation. Starting with the team who started against Germany has merit and logic, but I don’t believe the same can be said of the substitutions. Totti was ineffective. He claims he was not allowed any room to play (and feed Toni) which I would say translates into a combination of (a) he was marked out of the game, and (b) he didn’t have the speed and/or skill to do anything about it. Rightfully he was eventually taken off but should have been replaced with Gilardino, who is someone who does, and not Iaquinta. Camoranesi did his defensive midfield job and took the ball up the right wing, but, he has low ability to attack and beat players. De Rossi who came on for him is better all round value but works the middle rather than the right. Worst of all subs was the last when Perrotta was taken off for Del Piero. It was after then the French made their most dangerous strikes – down the side where Perrotta was, and the upfield runs of Grosso stopped. Del Piero, not surprising, added nothing to the defence, attack or feed – frankly now would be a good time for him to retire . The late goal he scored against Germany was all the work of Gilardino. Perrotta should have stayed on.

Still, that games over – looking forward to the Euro in two years.

No.9

 

Did not Shevi headbutt Materazzi a few years back? Seems like the man has the talent to make opposite players go mad....

 

"Did not Shevi headbutt Materazzi a few years back?"

Well, that's something the TV has dug out of the archives and shown.

Hmm....shall we look at some footage of Schumacher, Stiles, Law, Hunter, Harris, Gentile, Forsyth, Brown, Souness, Roberts, Hurlock, Ferguson, 50% of Argentinean players, 75% of Paraguayans....or perhaps a windjammer like...



’TV or not TV’?, or for the O/B techno wise, ’VT or not VT’?

FIFA have stated they did not use any form of video evidence in the refs’ decision to issue Zidane a Red card – the incident was seen by the 4th Official. However, the French manager has now stated that the 4th Official did not see the incident first hand, but, saw a re-run on a pitch-side monitor near the dug-outs!

Exactly: ”The referee and the assistant didn’t see it. Then the fourth official saw the television replay and told the referee.”

So what is the point? Is this along the lines of; ’If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, did it make a sound?’ Fair point you may think. However, whenever some erudite theologian throws that one at me, I usually reply with; ’If I kick you in the nuts and no one gives a damn, did it hurt?’ QED

No.9

 

With Lippi being ex Juventus and pulling a load of his mates into the squad, (not that most didn’t fully deserved to be there), and Juventus being at the centre of the current football scandal, I though it appropriate to post a reminder about the team’s engine that was AC Milan.

_______GATTUSO_________________PIRLO_________________GILARDINO_______


_______NESTA_________________INZAGHI_______

Between them they’ve made 77 International appearances, playing a total of 5’901 minutes

And a pic that Stev at least should enjoy.


No.9

 

Thanks for boring us to death, as always, with your 4th rate soccer, you lousy Italians!

I don't care if either France or Germany lost, but why Italy? They suck... they may win, but they don't play soccer. And César Luis Menotti agrees with me...

They got the cup, but Zidane smashed the unagreeable Matterazzi at least!

 

Azzurri boss Lippi says arrivederci
World Cup winning Italy coach Marcello Lippi has announced his decision to resign.

Joachim Low has been named as the new Germany coach after it was confirmed Jurgen Klinsmann had stepped down from the post.

The four clubs involved in Serie A's match-fixing scandal will not be shown any leniency as a result of Italy's World Cup success."I believe the disciplinary procedure should have no connection with the victory," said Italian Football Federation (FIGC) chief investigator Francesco Borrelli on Wednesday.

FIFA could strip Zidane of award
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hinted Zinedine Zidane could be stripped of the Golden Ball because of his actions in the World Cup final.

Ronaldo keen to keep United peace
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo says he doesn't want to leave Old Trafford on bad terms.

Zidane to speak on headbutt shame
Zinedine Zidane is expected to speak publicly for the first time on Wednesday night about his controversial sending-off in the World Cup final.
( or will he?)

www.teamtalk.com

 

Ja, der General hat gesprochen!


But what about Mexico?

Careful, I might call you a terrorist

No.9

 

Zizou: I don't regret Marco butt

Zinedine Zidane has apologised for his sending-off in the World Cup final, but claimed he does not regret his actions against Marco Materazzi.

"I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it," Zidane told Canal Plus.

"I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don't regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said."

"He just put his hand onto my shirt and I told him to stop. I told him that if he wanted it I could give it to him at the end of the match.

"Then he said very harsh words to me and repeated them several times.

I left but then I went back towards him and things went very fast.

"The words he said concerned my mother and sister.

"I heard them once, then twice, and the third time I couldn't control myself. I am a man and some words are harder to hear than actions.

"I would have rather been knocked down than hear that."

More:

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1329453,00.html

 

Materazzi: ZZ should keep Golden Ball

Marco Materazzi is hoping Zinedine Zidane will get to keep his World Cup Golden Ball Award despite his dismissal in last Sunday's final.

"He has won that award because of what he has done on the pitch," said Materazzi in an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was the best."