NationStates Jolt Archive


WC: Well, that sucked.

Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 07:20
Your opinion of this WC?

I think it had great atmosphere and organisation, but the football was pretty average, and it didn't have the magic of 2002, IMO. The final will forever be remembered not for the game or the result, but for this absolutely spectacular shot:

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1854/11524771132589ee.gif
Jentacular
10-07-2006, 07:24
It's a real pity about that headbutt. I thought the soccer (er, I mean football) was great, but then again, I only saw the game out of pure chance. The ending was a shame. Do the goalies normally never save the balls when shot like that?

By the way, what happened to Brazil and those favorites to win?
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 07:28
It's a real pity about that headbutt.

You kidding? That's how I'd want to go out. Well, with a WC win AND a headbutt red.

Do the goalies normally never save the balls when shot like that?

No, just Barthez. Lehmann would have held those.
Marvelland
10-07-2006, 07:36
Excellent organization. Great athmosphere. Mediocre play. Very good refs. Big disappointment from "best" teams, huge surprise from Italy.
2002 was no better, and organization and refs were horrible. 1998 was very good, and then France and Brazil managed to show a level of play no one came close this time.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 07:38
Excellent organization. Great athmosphere. Mediocre play. Very good refs. Big disappointment from "best" teams, huge surprise from Italy.
2002 was no better, and organization and refs were horrible. 1998 was very good, and then France and Brazil managed to show a level of play no one came close this time.

Good refs? The refereeing was terrible.
Poliwanacraca
10-07-2006, 07:43
It's a real pity about that headbutt. I thought the soccer (er, I mean football) was great, but then again, I only saw the game out of pure chance. The ending was a shame. Do the goalies normally never save the balls when shot like that?

By the way, what happened to Brazil and those favorites to win?

Well-kicked penalty shots are very hard to block - goalies, after all, are a great deal smaller than goals.

As for what happened to Brazil, the very simple answer is that they underestimated France, and it didn't work out too very well for them. :p

(Also, poor Zizou - what a sad ending to such a brilliant career!)
New Granada
10-07-2006, 07:45
Enjoyed it thoroughly, more fun than the olympics by a long stretch.

Best moment was probably Grosso's 119th minute goal to beat germany.

RIP Trinidad, Argentina, Spain and Portugal.
BLARGistania
10-07-2006, 07:53
fuck italy and their beating germany.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 08:04
fuck italy and their beating germany.

I do believe Germany deserved it more. It was one of those rare occasions where the best team didn't win.
Poliwanacraca
10-07-2006, 08:06
I do believe Germany deserved it more. It was one of those rare occasions where the best team didn't win.

Apparently Italy is good at winning without deserving it. *sigh*
Neo Undelia
10-07-2006, 08:11
I know absolutely nothing about soccer, but I do know that that headbutt rocks. Takes balls to do that.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 08:20
I do believe Germany deserved it more. It was one of those rare occasions where the best team didn't win.

Germany where equal in all but the attacking third in that game. Your team created little of any real note whereas Lehman made a string of saves, saved by the woodwork twice before the last minute winners. I would say Italy deserved that game due to a better final ball

The World Cup itself? Mixed referring but that improved once we get past the second round. Not many goals but very good play, open matches and a brilliant cup to watch. It was nice to see some clean games where players didn't go down

Germany team and fans did themselves proud, it was hosted brilliantly and you will geet a good luagh at London's mess of the 2012 Olympics
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 08:41
Apparently Italy is good at winning without deserving it. *sigh*

Yeah. Some team needs to specifically create a style that crushes their defensive crap, and use it to shut them up.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 08:45
Why must Italians be Butt fuckers.:(
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 08:51
Hey, how many Euro Cups is a WC worth, anyway?
Swilatia
10-07-2006, 08:58
This world cup sucked for 4 reasons:

1) Bad Refs
2) That Australia match
3) too many cards
4) Italy won
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 09:03
Italians taking off their shorts and raping the groud
Italians dry humping each other ahter scoring goals
Toti sucking his thumb
Grease ball Italians
Grazzioni shaking his finger.
Isiseye
10-07-2006, 09:05
I know absolutely nothing about soccer, but I do know that that headbutt rocks. Takes balls to do that.
Apparently he did it cos he was given a nipple twister. But I still think a head butt was beyond badform.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 09:05
Hey, how many Euro Cups is a WC worth, anyway?
3
Wyrmdom
10-07-2006, 09:10
This world cup sucked for 4 reasons:

1) Bad Refs
2) That Australia match
3) too many cards
4) Italy won

5, Cheating Players from teams who shall not be named.
6, Clear Referee Bias
Cuation
10-07-2006, 09:11
Where Italy defensive this cup? They tried to take the game to the oppostion becuase they knew there defence was solid.
Aust
10-07-2006, 09:12
Personally Italy where outplayed by France, but the French subs where nuts...as wehre there tactics...
Swilatia
10-07-2006, 09:14
5, Cheating Players from teams who shall not be named.
6, Clear Referee Bias
those two go under bad refs.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:16
Good refs? The refereeing was terrible.
Seconded.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 09:21
Great Cup. I enjoyed it.

Italy was the superior team, no matter how much I don't like the diving and the thumbsucking (I suppose that could have been a shout out to a kid, but I don't know if he has any) and the drama. Italy's defense was outstanding and defense wins championships.

Congratulations Italy, and well done Germany in the Bronze Match.

The refereeing had its high points and low points, which means that it was average overall.

Now I'll wait for GA to say something nihilistic, inflammatory or just plain mean.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:23
Apparently he did it cos he was given a nipple twister. But I still think a head butt was beyond badform.
I want to hear what Materazzi said to him. That must have been an insult of the century. If he (Zidane) got so angry about a nipple twister he would have head butted Materazzi earlier, not after walking away from him.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:27
Italy was the superior team, no matter how much I don't like the diving...
I hate diving and IMO that was the biggest problem throughout the games. Italians weren't any worse than French.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 09:30
I want to hear what Materazzi said to him. That must have been an insult of the century. If he (Zidane) got so angry about a nipple twister he would have head butted Materazzi earlier, not after walking away from him.
Agreed. Clearly Materazzi was continuing to bait Zidane as he walked away...which is why I believe Materazzi's fall was another dive. He was BAITING the guy and had to have expected a reprisal if he thought he was going to succeed.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 09:31
I hate diving and IMO that was the biggest problem throughout the games. Italians weren't any worse than French.
I can tolerate some "selling" of minor contact in order to gain an advantage. Some of that is gamesmanship. But when it gets bith obvious and ridiculous like Portugal in the Bronze Match, yikes.
Naturality
10-07-2006, 09:32
My gosh.. I'm at a site I frequent where they make fun of celebs and such.
They are at each others throats over this Italy win.. they are bashing the hell out of each other... but they unite for a hot second to tell the "fat stupid yanks" to go watch baseball , when an American comments on the win, or the headbutt. LoL.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 09:34
My gosh.. I'm at a site I frequent where they make fun of celebs and such.
They are at each others throats over this Italy win.. they are bashing the hell out of each other... but they unite for a hot second to tell the "fat stupid yanks" to go watch baseball , when an American comments on the win, or the headbutt. LoL.
Well, some of that I understand, but this "fat, stupid Yank" loves the game of football (and thinks baseball is boring) and watches whenever he can.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 09:36
3

I'd say 2. In fact, if it wasn't for the WC being so hyped, I'd say Euro is worth more, simply because you're more likely to face tougher opposition.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 09:44
Seconded.

I thought the stnadard improved as the cup went on, sadly too many poor refs got group games and where too card happy
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:46
Agreed. Clearly Materazzi was continuing to bait Zidane as he walked away...which is why I believe Materazzi's fall was another dive. He was BAITING the guy and had to have expected a reprisal if he thought he was going to succeed.
Dive or not, it doesn't really matter in case like this. I couldn't believe my eyes. Zidane of them all.
Honey beer
10-07-2006, 09:46
apologies about this; but who won?
Slartiblartfast
10-07-2006, 09:49
apologies about this; but who won?

You are apparantly sat in front of a PC - I'm sure someone, somewhere, has posted the result of this little game on the interweb
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:50
I thought the stnadard improved as the cup went on, sadly too many poor refs got group games and where too card happy
Yes, some were card happy, others gave penalties way too easily (and then didn't give one when there really was a reason for penalty) In some games the ref seemed to think that players can't even touch each other.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 09:53
heh, I wondered the whole month why Domenech wouldn't let Trezequet play. I know now :D
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 09:53
I'd say 2. In fact, if it wasn't for the WC being so hyped, I'd say Euro is worth more, simply because you're more likely to face tougher opposition.
Agreed!
Malenkigorod
10-07-2006, 10:09
Oh.. Italians won...oh but that's ok.. They are our dear neighbours and cousins!

Barthez is an idiot. Really sorry for what he did...Hope you won't have a bad opinion of french footballers because of him.


We're very disappointed because we didn't win...1998 was a wonderful year... Et un, et deux, et trois ZERO!!!! Yeah! But I don't think they will be able to do the same thing again, they are old now...


For me, they have well played. Because I don't know anything about football and because I am French and because I'm happy for italians. I don't know a french who can say that he has no italian blood(apart from french from immigration,of course). So it's a little bit like if we won...Isn't it?
Swilatia
10-07-2006, 10:15
Great Cup. I enjoyed it.

Italy was the superior team, no matter how much I don't like the diving and the thumbsucking (I suppose that could have been a shout out to a kid, but I don't know if he has any) and the drama. Italy's defense was outstanding and defense wins championships.

Congratulations Italy, and well done Germany in the Bronze Match.

The refereeing had its high points and low points, which means that it was average overall.

Now I'll wait for GA to say something nihilistic, inflammatory or just plain mean.
italy is not superior. they only won because of bad refs and frequent diving.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 10:19
Barthez is an idiot. Really sorry for what he did...Hope you won't have a bad opinion of french footballers because of him.

Hah, don't worry, if we're going to have a bad opinion of French footballers, it's going to be from Zidane's little hissy, not because of Barthez.

From what I've read, it was a 'racial slur' that lead to the headbutt. What a baby - he's playing against Italy. If there were racial slurs being thrown around, it's not like there's a shortage of slurs to shout back.

Hell, had it been me, I would have just done a comical over-the-top dive and given Materazzi the finger.

...

Still, hurrah! Italy won! Happiness and joy! Seeing Zidane shamed was also great fun, since my boyfriend spent all of the past few days talking about the new arsehole Zizou was going to tear Italy. That'll learn him to talk so big.

I wonder how boyfriend'll feel when he finally gets his Zidane jersey shipped to him sometime next week... I told him he shouldn't order it from the internet before the WC... now it's just going to be a painful reminder of ZZ's total childishness and inability to keep his cool under pressure.

...

Also nice to see all the Good Sports (TM) here following Zidane's lead - after all, if you lose a game, the appropriate response is to start throwing around racial slurs. Good on you, previous posters! As a half-Italian, your comical insults amuse me.
Naturality
10-07-2006, 10:20
Well, some of that I understand, but this "fat, stupid Yank" loves the game of football (and thinks baseball is boring) and watches whenever he can.


Ok, I just did a little research.. and found that the U.S. has been involved in the WC for many years.. but by they way these people were talking ... they made it seem that the U.S. hasn't been involved in it .. period. I see the best we've done so far was a Semi Final (3rd place) in 1930 .. but that's better than Spain, USSR , Belgium , Bulgaria and Korea who've only made it to 4th place. I know it's not the most popular sport here.. and I don't follow sports much at all, but damn I didn't even know we were in it. Was just wondering if it's known that America doesn't follow the WC closely or if they were just being assholes cause they don't like the U.S. Wonder if they would come off like that to the people from some of those other countries. Hmm.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 10:22
italy is not superior. they only won because of bad refs and frequent diving.

And, you know, their ability to hold the French off into a penalty kick off and then beat them 5-3.

But let's just ignore that, because otherwise a lot of people will have to deal with reality, and that's just painful.

I find it amusing that the same arguments used against England in the Rugby Cup against Australia are being used here. Oh boo hoo, you didn't fid the game 'exciting'. The winning team played 'boringly'. Suck it up.

...

The reffering was shite all through the Cup though, so I can extend some sympathy there. Did you see the Croatia/Australia match? Fucking joke, that was.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 10:22
italy is not superior. they only won because of bad refs and frequent diving.
And because they played some very good football, and let in a grand total of two goals in the tournament - one own goal and one from a penalty.

I think it was a very good tournament. Beckenbauer did a great job, it was well-organised, security was kept under control, the stadiums were nice (especially the Olympiastadion, I love how they fused the old together with the new, it's so...Berlin-like).

The refs was decent overall, I think. The players were the ones doing the diving, and eventually the ref is going to end up in the wrong spot and think it was a foul. I say we introduce a post-match panel that watches the match and hands out punishment to divers.

The football, well I thought it was great. Not that many goals in the later matches, but some very good tactics on display - the sort of thing you'd expect when the best face the best.

And the German team...I think that was the best performance I can recall seeing (except perhaps in the Saudi Arabia match in 2002) from them. Klinsmann is the best coach since Beckenbauer, and he needs to stay. Really.
And given that everyone, even including Ballack, will be able to play the 2010 World Cup and gain a lot of experience until then (plus a decent shot at Euro 2008), I think I can look forward to the future with some confidence.

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/0,5538,PB64-SUQ9MTQ5MTUmbnI9MQ_3_3,00.html
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,425655,00.html
Greenhelm
10-07-2006, 10:28
Well, some of that I understand, but this "fat, stupid Yank" loves the game of football (and thinks baseball is boring) and watches whenever he can.

lol yeah stereotypins great. I personally find it funny to think that the stereotype of the english is a posh speaking nancy. Example: Family guy season 4: patriot games - The worst american football team in Europe the 'London Silly Nanny's' lol... cracks me up. especially when they have the pillow fight after being given steroids!
Funky Beat
10-07-2006, 10:28
Am I the only person who thinks that the best team won the WC?
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 10:29
Am I the only person who thinks that the best team won the WC?
Nope. I agree.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 10:31
Nope. I agree.
me too.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 10:31
Ok, I just did a little research.. and found that the U.S. has been involved in the WC for many years.. but by they way these people were talking ... they made it seem that the U.S. hasn't been involved in it .. period. I see the best we've done so far was a Semi Final (3rd place) in 1930 .. but that's better than Spain, USSR , Belgium , Bulgaria and Korea who've only made it to 4th place. I know it's not the most popular sport here.. and I don't follow sports much at all, but damn I didn't even know we were in it. Was just wondering if it's known that America doesn't follow the WC closely or if they were just being assholes cause they don't like the U.S. Wonder if they would come off like that to the people from some of those other countries. Hmm.
Nah, it just shows that you can't judge a nation by its morons. There are American morons, and there are European morons, etc., etc.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 10:31
Nope. I agree.
So do I.

The only other two teams that were even remotely close to "deserving" it were Argentina and Germany. And the luck of the draw was such that it was not to be.

Italy won, and they won because they played better football than anyone they faced for four weeks. And that's how you win a World Cup.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 10:32
Nope. I agree.

As do I (I bet no one would have guessed that had I not pointed it out :p)
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 10:33
So do I.

The only other two teams that were even remotely close to "deserving" it were Argentina and Germany. And the luck of the draw was such that it was not to be.

Italy won, and they won because they played better football than anyone they faced for four weeks. And that's how you win a World Cup.

Are you telling us that we should all huddle in our halves and wait for the clock to run out?

I'm proud that Germany actually plays football, and if not being a boring defensive shell that acts their way through costs us trophies, so be it.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 10:33
lol yeah stereotypins great. I personally find it funny to think that the stereotype of the english is a posh speaking nancy. Example: Family guy season 4: patriot games - The worst american football team in Europe the 'London Silly Nanny's' lol... cracks me up. especially when they have the pillow fight after being given steroids!
Well, that's a special case. Family Guy is satire. They weren't satirizing the English so much as US perceptions of England. That's how I see it, anyway.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 10:34
Are you telling us that we should all huddle in our halves and wait for the clock to run out?
Yes. If that wins you the tournament, yes. If nobody could figure out how to defeat that strategy, then guess what, you droning nihilist, that's the strategy that wins the bleeding World Cup, okay?
Shaed
10-07-2006, 10:35
Are you telling us that we should all huddle in our halves and wait for the clock to run out?

Depends. Do you want to win, or just get a pat on the back for playing 'exciting' football?

Personally, I find it exciting when my team wins, not when they do stupid shit that loses them matches.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 10:38
Are you telling us that we should all huddle in our halves and wait for the clock to run out?
No, and that clearly isn't what Italy has done either. They started off with only a great defense and their attack hadn't quite arrived yet. But the Ukraine game was the turning point, and against Germany as well as France they played good attacking football as well as having a solid defense.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 10:43
Am I the only person who thinks that the best team won the WC?

It is hard to say the best team won it but one of the best certainly but they are the undisputed World Champions and did it without boring people.

I'm proud that Germany actually plays football, and if not being a boring defensive shell that acts their way through costs us trophies, so be it.

Attacking football does work as witnessed by Arsenal, Barca, the old Real Madrid, the old Brazil sides and so on. Italy played attacking football, they didn't do the old caticino, heck they threw one four strikers against Germany
Mandelan
10-07-2006, 10:44
an over-priced, over-exagerated over-hyped excuse for watching a bunch of girly sweaty men kick an inflated leather (plastic these days?) sphere around, when theres plenty of more worthy uses for the exorbitant amount of money spent on it. Go back to amateur days!

But its great to have a party, and in that sense, the world cup delivers!!

Pity the italians won...they cheated past australia, they play a boring game of defense defense defense (though they have attacking players), they did not deserve to win at alll. the dutch should have gone further, the argentinians should have gone further, the germans should have been in the final. unforunately all three of those teams were in the same side of the draw.

and a big thumbs up to Zidane, great way to finish...summed up my feelings on the tournament nicely.
Marvelland
10-07-2006, 10:47
Agreed. Clearly Materazzi was continuing to bait Zidane as he walked away...which is why I believe Materazzi's fall was another dive. He was BAITING the guy and had to have expected a reprisal if he thought he was going to succeed.

You mean he should expect the head butt? Ridiculous. You think that what Zidane said to Materazzi was politically correct? Nonsense. You think that in football baiting is uncommon? You know nothing about this game.

A great player did a great dumb thing, and a nasty one. If an Italian did that (and that did happen), the whole world would be blaming our lack of fair play. But since an Italian was hit (and hard), it must obviously be his fault.

You like or not, Italy played a decent WC, there was one disputable call for Italy (the penalty against Australia, the same game where we had an undeserved red card), and Italy outplayed every team we met except France.

On the other hand, I can't see why defense should not be as legitimate as attack as a team's strength. In any sport, good defenders are praised. If you make a block in basketball, or a double out in baseball, or an interception in american football, you get the headlines. If you manage to win a WC allowing a lowest-ever number of goals (one own goal and one penalty...), you are crap.

It's not our fault that Brazil and England seemed to be sleepplaying, and Germany was still a bit immature. Even France was not able to create more opportunities than Italy (we hit a crossbar, didn't we?), due to the quality of our defense. So, perhaps, someone should refrain from complaining, and try to better understand the game.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 10:48
the dutch should have gone further, the argentinians should have gone further, the germans should have been in the final

The Dutch got themsevles embroiled in a punch up match, didn't create much against Protugal and didn't set the World alight. Germany where outplayed by Italy, Argentina failed to finish off against the Germans and never looked like winning after Germany equalised

Overpaid, certainly but they do have a very short career and the market pays what people give them. Did youwatch Italy at all? For such a defensive side, they sure created a lot of chances

So you hated the tourment?
Shaed
10-07-2006, 10:48
and a big thumbs up to Zidane, great way to finish...summed up my feelings on the tournament nicely.

... What? How is throwing a hissy fit suddenly something to be proud of?

Maybe I'm missing something because I've missed all the "We must love Zidane" memos, but... he acted like a complete child. He could have won the game for France, and instead he selfishly and stupidly let his own emotions get in the way.

But then, I'm a girl. I don't 'get' hero worship. If a favourite player of mine acts like a complete and utter git, I don't make excuses for it; I bag him as harshly as I'd bag any other complete and utter git.
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 10:54
You mean he should expect the head butt? Ridiculous. You think that what Zidane said to Materazzi was politically correct? Nonsense. You think that in football baiting is uncommon? You know nothing about this game*.

A great player did a great dumb thing, and a nasty one. If an Italian did that (and that did happen), the whole world would be blaming our lack of fair play. But since an Italian was hit (and hard), it must obviously be his fault.**[b]

[b]You like or not, Italy played a decent WC***, there was one disputable call for Italy (the penalty against Australia, the same game where we had an undeserved red card), and Italy outplayed every team we met except France.

On the other hand, I can't see why defense should not be as legitimate as attack as a team's strength. In any sport, good defenders are praised. If you make a block in basketball, or a double out in baseball, or an interception in american football, you get the headlines. If you manage to win a WC allowing a lowest-ever number of goals (one own goal and one penalty...), you are crap.****

It's not our fault that Brazil and England seemed to be sleepplaying, and Germany was still a bit immature. Even France was not able to create more opportunities than Italy (we hit a crossbar, didn't we?), due to the quality of our defense. So, perhaps, someone should refrain from complaining, and try to better understand the game.
I "scream" because you assume.

* A direct insult without reason or provocation.

** You assume I think that an Italian would have been treated differently.

*** You assume that I don't like the Italian win.

**** You assume I think defensive football is crap.

So yeah, I get defensive.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 10:58
Blaming a hero for what he did? Treason :p

I do agree with you, Zindane assualted someone, he ruined a good game and should be blamed. A bit like Rooney, stamps on someone then shoves someone else but we blame Ronaldo, Sven for it and our top assist guy Beckhamn for other things
Daisetta
10-07-2006, 10:58
... What? How is throwing a hissy fit suddenly something to be proud of?

Maybe I'm missing something because I've missed all the "We must love Zidane" memos, but... he acted like a complete child. He could have won the game for France, and instead he selfishly and stupidly let his own emotions get in the way.

But then, I'm a girl. I don't 'get' hero worship. If a favourite player of mine acts like a complete and utter git, I don't make excuses for it; I bag him as harshly as I'd bag any other complete and utter git.


I agree. I love Zidane, he is a truly beautiful footballer, but what he did in last night's match was stupid, disgusting and childish, not something a great sportsman should ever be reduced to. Very likely Materazzi said appalling things to him, but I find it hard to believe that was exactly a first for Zizou.

I can only congratulate Italy; overall, they deserved it. There was in the end no outstandingly beautiful team in the tournament, but Italy played better than all their opponents (except France last night, I must say) and got better as it progressed. Their display against Germany in the semi was magnificent, as was Germany's in that game. But as other posters have pointed out here, only one own goal and one penalty conceded throughout a month of playing mostly the best teams in the world is a great achievement, and this lot were less defensively minded than any other Italian side I can remember, excepting the 1982 team which came out of its shell once it played the great Brazilian side of that year. They also went on to win the World Cup: maybe that should tell Italian coaches something.
Marvelland
10-07-2006, 11:03
If I call someone's mother a two-dollar whore, I expect that he'll turn around and try to HIT ME. That's all I'm saying. If Henry had done it to Totti, I would expect Totti might have tried a head-butt, too. I dont' know! But whatever my opinion, it's not based on PETTY EUROPEAN NATIONALISM, so back off your accusations and READ the thread some, okay, paisan?

You don't need to scream. Accusations? I said that if you believe that every time some player insults another he should expect to be hit, you must be pretty unaware of the game, and I maintain this. Such things happen all the time, and I am sure that what Zidane said to Materazzi was not even a friendly "paisan".

For the "petty nationalism", I could retort on you the accusation of not reading what I write. I have praised Germany, and said that France played better football than Italy, and said that if the level of game were higher, we could not win the cup. Simply, I don't like double standards.
Marvelland
10-07-2006, 11:31
I "scream" because you assume.

* A direct insult without reason or provocation.

** You assume I think that an Italian would have been treated differently.

*** You assume that I don't like the Italian win.

**** You assume I think defensive football is crap.

So yeah, I get defensive.

Ok, can we close the controversy?
* ignorance of football is no insult. I am ignorant in a lot of more important things.

** Well, no. I am assuming that if an Italian did that, people would not blame his opponent for provoking and diving. If you think this assumption is unfair to you, I apologize.

***
****
I apologize for unduly attributing you beliefs you don't share.

Actually, I was mixing in a response to you a comment on a number of posts complaining about Italy's game. Again, however, questioning one's competence about football is no insult, even in Italy...;) And I really wonder why defensive play should be so specifically disliked in football. A great defensive game can be as neat as a great offensive game (provided of course that you do also attack sometime...).
Shaed
10-07-2006, 11:45
And I really wonder why defensive play should be so specifically disliked in football. A great defensive game can be as neat as a great offensive game (provided of course that you do also attack sometime...).

I don't get that either. I find defensive play (when it's done well) just as exciting as offensive play.

Of course, I'm yet to see two defensive teams play each other. Now that would be boring. But as long as you get defense AND offense in a match, what's the problem?
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 11:46
Of course, I'm yet to see two defensive teams play each other. Now that would be boring. But as long as you get defense AND offense in a match, what's the problem?

You didn't see Ukraine vs Switzerland, did you?
Shaed
10-07-2006, 11:50
You didn't see Ukraine vs Switzerland, did you?

I must admit that, alas, I did not.

I only watched the games with Australia, England or Italy in (and the semi with France in, of course). I have the reason of this being the first time I've ever been interested in soccer as my only excuse.

Still, Italy's 'defensive' games seem plenty exciting to me...
FairyTInkArisen
10-07-2006, 11:52
I must admit that, alas, I did not.

I only watched the games with Australia, England or Italy in (and the semi with France in, of course). I have the reason of this being the first time I've ever been interested in soccer as my only excuse.

Still, Italy's 'defensive' games seem plenty exciting to me...
YOU!!!:eek:
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 11:56
YOU!!!:eek:
YOU!!!!

Both of you!!!

:D
Maypole
10-07-2006, 11:56
Apparently Italy is good at winning without deserving it. *sigh*

Why don't you all just say that you despise Italy as most of the World does, always filled with jealousy against one of the Greatest footballing nations, second only to Brazil. When Italy plays everyone finds some bloody excuse, it is really irritating, come on be honest and admit that Italy desrved to win against Germany. First of all the home support for Germany didn't trouble the Italians, I doubt any other nation could have standed it. Secondly the defence and the midfield were awseome with the keeper as well and those last two goals were truly amazing so why don't you just admit that you are jealous of Italy and their success and shut your mouth, and don't say anything stupid like the Zidane wins Golden Ball thread.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 11:56
YOU!!!:eek:

ME!!!:eek:
FairyTInkArisen
10-07-2006, 11:57
ME!!!:eek:
you've been hiding from me!
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:00
you've been hiding from me!

Nah, I just haven't been online for a long, long time. Especially since I spend most of my time at my boyfriend's place these days. Not much time for computermutering.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:01
You didn't see Ukraine vs Switzerland, did you?
I'd say Ukraine was an offensive minded team not defensive they just weren't that good on the day.
-----------------------------------------------
Zidane is a dumbarse for what he did, even if i bagged France for playing crap all the way through until the game agaist Brazil, Italy i bagged from the start and continued too because they'll dive for anything, let us not mention the French goal today(:p ).
Italy Australia is a perfect example of Italy's lack of work ethic.

This Worl Cup has confirmed that Rugby is better, in Rugby teams don't sit on a lead they continue to attack if someone gets penalised points are often assured do it enough and you will get sent off!
Sure it has a biting problem with the occasional Argentinian or South African but if a player is hurt in Rugby he really is hurt!!!
Rolling about on the ground would deminish ones manhood, mind you Italians are a bunch of babies anyways...
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:02
Football pretty average? You must be blind. Did you see Germany vs. Italy, if you call that average I don't know either the Worlds gone upside down or you don't know a damned thing on football, which is the answer. There were lots of exciting games and surprises, the Penalty shootouts are extremley entertaining to watch and there were many of them, besides that matches were filled with controversy which make them more exciting although the referees or most of them sucked. And in the end it removed the myth that Italian football is defensive and boring and that they are not a quality team and removed some of the stains of the football scandal whom people like Moggi should be punished not the clubs, but in the cases of Fiorentina where the president was involved then the club.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:06
Football pretty average? You must be blind. Did you see Germany vs. Italy, if you call that average I don't know either the Worlds gone upside down or you don't know a damned thing on football, which is the answer. There were lots of exciting games and surprises, the Penalty shootouts are extremley entertaining to watch and there were many of them, besides that matches were filled with controversy which make them more exciting although the referees or most of them sucked. And in the end it removed the myth that Italian football is defensive and boring and that they are not a quality team and removed some of the stains of the football scandal whom people like Moggi should be punished not the clubs, but in the cases of Fiorentina where the president was involved then the club.

Maypole, I know how annoying it is watching people trying to drag Italy through the mud, but you need to remember: We won.

There's no reason to be annoyed - just recognise that non-Italian supporters have hyped themselves up for that match, and now have to blow off some steam.

I wouldn't say anything, but NS is never the place to try and convince people of things - you'll just tire yourself out and leave feeling like you want to throttle someone. Much better just to laugh when people say things that annoy you.
Santo PD
10-07-2006, 12:12
Pity the italians won...they cheated past australia, they play a boring game of defense defense defense (though they have attacking players), they did not deserve to win at alll. the dutch should have gone further, the argentinians should have gone further, the germans should have been in the final. unforunately all three of those teams were in the same side of the draw.

Sure! And if Andorra sat on a huge deposit of uranium and all the major scientists had born there, by now they should have conquered the world..
But.. that's not happening, my friend, and in the end, the best team is the winning team. After all, they never felt like losing to someone, if not against France yesterday, in the second half of the game.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:15
Maypole, I know how annoying it is watching people trying to drag Italy through the mud, but you need to remember: We won.

Ninininini, we won.

Shut the fuck up. You had the easiest run of any team in the WC, and even then you had to dive your way to victory against a team that hadn't been in the cup for 30 odd years. Enjoy your trophy, cheaters.
Tarvisium
10-07-2006, 12:18
Ninininini, we won.

Shut the fuck up. You had the easiest run of any team in the WC, and even then you had to dive your way to victory against a team that hadn't been in the cup for 30 odd years. Enjoy your trophy, cheaters.
Yes and then we scored 2 goalssss in the semi-final.... and we are CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!!!!
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:18
Ninininini, we won.

Shut the fuck up. You had the easiest run of any team in the WC, and even then you had to dive your way to victory against a team that hadn't been in the cup for 30 odd years. Enjoy your trophy, cheaters.

We didn't cheat. We showed that currently we are the greatest team on the world, and made people like you realise though not admit this. Go and cry yourself to sleep you sol-loser. By the way which team do you support I would really like to know.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:19
We didn't cheat. We showed that currently we are the greatest team on the world, and made people like you realise though not admit this. Go and cry yourself to sleep you sol-loser.

Oh yeah? What do you call that penalty against Australia? "Uhh, they tripped us!"
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:19
According to Rankings they had the hardest Pool.
They only allowed 2 goals in the Tourny 1 being an own goal.
But i am really pissed about that Australian game and normally dislike Australia for traditional reasons.

Italy now has 4 World Cups.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:20
Ninininini, we won.

Shut the fuck up. You had the easiest run of any team in the WC, and even then you had to dive your way to victory against a team that hadn't been in the cup for 30 odd years. Enjoy your trophy, cheaters.

Well, pardon me for breathing, I'm sure. Apparently, telling people not to be angry, to help prevent you having to read rambling posts that won't change your opinion anyway, is some grave affront to your person.

And don't worry, we will enjoy said trophy very much. Just like any other team who won it would.

And surely you wouldn't have wanted Italy to LET anyone win for any reason?

... and, I'm not sure, but if you're talking about Australia here... I'm Australian. I was going for Australia. That match was a huge disappointment. But Australia lost... I moved on, and went for the other team my family supports.

Don't know if it'll mean much, but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the Italy/Australia outcome myself.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:20
Yes and then we scored 2 goalssss in the semi-final.... and we are CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!!!!

Against a sub-par team? Wow, it's must have been a fucking gauntlet.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:21
Italy now has 4 World Cups.

Brazil has five. In your face, little Mussolinis.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:21
Sure! And if Andorra sat on a huge deposit of uranium and all the major scientists had born there, by now they should have conquered the world..
But.. that's not happening, my friend, and in the end, the best team is the winning team. After all, they never felt like losing to someone, if not against France yesterday, in the second half of the game.
They are not the best team, that was Argentina...
Argentina went defensive against Germany and it cost them.
Argentina severly underdid itself.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:21
Oh yeah? What do you call that penalty against Australia? "Uhh, they tripped us!"
That was a dive, but fact of the matter was that they still deserved that scoreline. The Australians just didn't manage to get through the Italian defense, while the Azzurri had some good chances.

I said then (and I still say now) that the way the goal was scored was crap, but that it wasn't undeserved.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:22
According to Rankings they had the hardest Pool.

According to the rankings, the United States are world football superpowers.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:22
Oh yeah? What do you call that penalty against Australia? "Uhh, they tripped us!"

If you come to that the red card to Materazzi wasn't a red card, but of course you are to anti-Italian to realise that. Besides if that stupid player didn't stay on the damned ground Grosso would have probably socred, and besides Italy were and will still remain the greatest European Footballing Nation. Forza Azzuri!
Tarvisium
10-07-2006, 12:22
Against a sub-par team? Wow, it's must have been a fucking gauntlet.
brazil... 5
ITALY... 4.... where is germany? ohhhhhhh it's THIRD!!!!!
germany.... 3
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:22
Brazil has five. In your face, little Mussolinis.
WTF???
I am Pro France/World/Not Italian for the day/argument i was just pointing out Italy has a pedigree.:(
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:24
brazil... 5
ITALY... 4.... where is germany? ohhhhhhh it's THIRD!!!!!
germany.... 3
1 result would have changed all of that.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:24
Brazil has five. In your face, little Mussolinis.

Really we didn't know that, you are so intelligent. They have five World cups, just wait till 2010 andwe will see who will have the most.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:24
According to the rankings, the United States are world football superpowers.
Indeed.:rolleyes:
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:24
besides Italy were and will still remain the greatest European Footballing Nation.

What competition was there? England and France one each. Pfhhh.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:24
Brazil has five. In your face, little Mussolinis.

Because being second to Brazil is something to be ashamed of...
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:25
brazil... 5
ITALY... 4.... where is germany? ohhhhhhh it's THIRD!!!!!
germany.... 3
Yeah, that's the thing that bothers me. I could always say "Look, we're the second best team in the World." Now we dropped a place, and the Italians can add another star to their jerseys.

Oh, well, onwards to 2010.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:25
brazil... 5
ITALY... 4.... where is germany? ohhhhhhh it's THIRD!!!!!
germany.... 3

Germany doesn't even have one, dickhead.
Tarvisium
10-07-2006, 12:26
1 result would have changed all of that.
Yes, but we are happy today................. :D
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:26
Yeah, that's the thing that bothers me. I could always say "Look, we're the second best team in the World." Now we dropped a place, and the Italians can add another star to their jerseys.

Germany was never second best in the world, they haven't even won a WC!
Tarvisium
10-07-2006, 12:27
Germany doesn't even have one, dickhead.



ahaha.... you are fantastic!
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:27
What competition was there? England and France one each. Pfhhh.

Forgot Germany??? Oh, you can't mention that it isn't good for your ears, and besides if you are saying France aren't good how did they beat your precious Brazil?? Pfhhh.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:27
Germany was never second best in the world, they haven't even won a WC!
Considering that the DFB simply absorbed the Eastern football association, no, they've won three.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 12:28
That was a dive, but fact of the matter was that they still deserved that scoreline. The Australians just didn't manage to get through the Italian defense, while the Azzurri had some good chances.

I said then (and I still say now) that the way the goal was scored was crap, but that it wasn't undeserved.
That isn't the 'Little Aussie Battler' attitude at all.

Brazil has five. In your face, little Mussolinis.
Because being second to Brazil is something to be ashamed of...
Hmmmm 'Boys from Brazil'.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:28
Considering that the DFB simply absorbed the Eastern football association, no, they've won three.

I refuse to acknowledge Germany's succession of West Germany. Get your own damn trophy, unificationist moochers.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:29
Germany doesn't even have one, dickhead.

West Germany still are recorede as having won three World Cups, and they are European, so just admit that you are a racist against Italy and Italians.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:30
West Germany still are recorede as having won three World Cups, and they are European, so just admit that you are a racist against Italy and Italians.

They can use records and statistics all they want, but that will never make them West Germany.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:31
That isn't the 'Little Aussie Battler' attitude at all.
Well, strictly speaking, I'm not an Aussie, am I? :D

I notice whether or not my team deserved to lose by remembering how I felt during the match. If I was angry and annoyed and anxious the whole time, they deserved to lose, if I was happy for most of the match, they didn't.

Both the Australia and the Germany match were not all that fun to watch for me, so I conclude that the Italians deserved both wins.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:31
I refuse to acknowledge Germany's succession of West Germany. Get your own damn trophy, unificationist moochers.

Ok don't acknowledge, as if you are going to make us cry and as if the German people care about your egositic opinion.
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:31
That isn't the 'Little Aussie Battler' attitude at all.

Well... it actually is. Being an Aussie Battler doesn't mean refusing to admit when you've *been* beaten fair an square... it just means not believing that you *are* beaten until the end of the battle...
Shaed
10-07-2006, 12:33
Well, strictly speaking, I'm not an Aussie, am I? :D

I notice whether or not my team deserved to lose by remembering how I felt during the match. If I was angry and annoyed and anxious the whole time, they deserved to lose, if I was happy for most of the match, they didn't.

Both the Australia and the Germany match were not all that fun to watch for me, so I conclude that the Italians deserved both wins.

Woo, I use a similar system, and came to similar conclusions! Hurrah.

I am strictly speaking an Aussie though. So nyer ^.^
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:33
They can use records and statistics all they want, but that will never make them West Germany.

Congratulations on your appointment as FIFA president. Now you will decide wheter they have won three WC or not. Hail the new presidency of Greater Alemannia!Hail!
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:35
I refuse to acknowledge Germany's succession of West Germany. Get your own damn trophy, unificationist moochers.
Ahem...I don't think you get the choice.

The DFB is the German football association. It's been around for 106 years, and it has nominated a national team for most of that time. Three times their national team won the World Cup.

The DDR's football association (the DFV) only existed as a copy for 38 years, and dissolved when the DDR seized to exist. Most players and clubs in former East Germany joined the DFB.

It's one unbroken line.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:37
Ahem...I don't think you get the choice.

The DFB is the German football association. It's been around for 106 years, and it has nominated a national team for most of that time. Three times their national team won the World Cup.

The DDR's football association (the DFV) only existed as a copy for 38 years, and dissolved when the DDR seized to exist. Most players and clubs in former East Germany joined the DFB.

It's one unbroken line.

I don't care. Germany should win it's own damn cups.
PopularFreedom
10-07-2006, 12:39
-Hockey has 4 referees on a field half the size of a soccer pitch
-Football has 8 or more referees on the same size field

Soccer has 1 referee, 2 linesman (all of whom missed the Zidane headbutt) but not to worry cause when need be they can call down and tell the linesman to indicate a red card. Bravo, wait a second. Why could they not do this with all the diving incidents. Better yet watch the games after the fact and anyone who dives gets redcarded the following match.

Oh wait, I forgot, it is soccer and diving is part of the sport. What a joke. At the end of the day, most of the games were decided by controversial decisions because 1 referee and 2 linesman cannot see everything. FIFA does not care about the diving issue even though with that huge box it may mean the difference in a game cause on average you have few if any goals scored per game.

Soccer is a great sport but FIFA makes it annoying to watch when I see all these whimps flopping around on the field pretending they have been shot then magically they come back to life seconds later.
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 12:40
They are not the best team, that was Argentina...
Argentina went defensive against Germany and it cost them.
Argentina severly underdid itself.
The best does not underdo itself. If it does, it isn't the best team anymore. Quite simple. I thought Argentina would win the whole tournament before that game.
Neu Leonstein
10-07-2006, 12:40
I don't care. Germany should win it's own damn cups.
Hehe, suit yourself.

But considering that they've managed a second place and a third place in the last two World Cups, they can't be all bad.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:41
I don't care. Germany should win it's own damn cups.

Ok Signor President del FIFA, anything else, do you want us to remove the World Cups won by Italy and give them to Brazil. Wait! We can give you the one by France to so they can have 10, Sire. Hail!Hail!
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:41
Hehe, suit yourself.

But considering that they've managed a second place and a third place in the last two World Cups, they can't be all bad.

They can have their three stars back when they get a fourth one of their own.
Portu Cale MK3
10-07-2006, 12:46
Shut up italians, you are inferior southerners, if you won it must have been because you cheated, you did this and that.

never mind that the teams you faced didn't managed to score against you (at least not enough to win). That only happened because your defense plays for the mob. Yea, that must be it.


[</sarcasm]
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:48
Shut up italians, you are inferior southerners, if you won it must have been because you cheated, you did this and that.

Italy DID cheat. The dive against Australia was even worse than Rivaldo's '02WC "Dive of the Millenium."
Helioterra
10-07-2006, 12:50
Soccer has 1 referee, 2 linesman (all of whom missed the Zidane headbutt) but not to worry cause when need be they can call down and tell the linesman to indicate a red card.
Well, as we all know, the fourth referee did see the headbutt. So we can all stop whining and move on.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:55
Shut up italians, you are inferior southerners, if you won it must have been because you cheated, you did this and that.

never mind that the teams you faced didn't managed to score against you (at least not enough to win). That only happened because your defense plays for the mob. Yea, that must be it.


[</sarcasm]

Oh so people from the south are inferior, forgive me my Liege you are great, the Great people from the north we bow to your superior intellect.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 12:56
Italy DID cheat. The dive against Australia was even worse than Rivaldo's '02WC "Dive of the Millenium."

My God, how awful! Off with his head! Grosso should be hanged, drawn and quartered!
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 12:57
My God, how awful! Off with his head! Grosso should be hanged, drawn and quartered!

No, just given a yellow.
Portu Cale MK3
10-07-2006, 13:01
Oh so people from the south are inferior, forgive me my Liege you are great, the Great people from the north we bow to your superior intellect.

i was being sarcastic.. :p

But thank you, it's good to have people bow to me :D
Maypole
10-07-2006, 13:03
No, just given a yellow.

You are too kind Sire! Hail Greate Alemannia the Kind!:p
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 13:04
Italy DID cheat. The dive against Australia was even worse than Rivaldo's '02WC "Dive of the Millenium."
LOL.
I hate that bastard.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 13:04
i was being sarcastic.. :p

But thank you, it's good to have people bow to me :D


Sorry there thought you were serious.
Airenia
10-07-2006, 13:04
I thought the group stages were great, loads more chances being taken, better football and goals

once the knockouts came it was boring cat and mouse games, the Refs generally were pretty horrible too, stopping the game every time someone fell over or any sort of contact was made, although the reffing did improve towards the end. Lets not forget the shameful diving from portugal and some dodgy moments from other teams. They really need better technology to influence decisions, so people diving left right and centre can be shown the red card and i doubt they'd do it again

in the end, looking at the quality of the teams in the quarters onwards, i feel any one of the remaining 16 at the start of the knockouts could've taken it
Portu Cale MK3
10-07-2006, 13:05
Sorry there thought you were serious.


you're italian? If so, i know what you are suffering, we went for the same after we won against england :|
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 13:05
The best does not underdo itself. If it does, it isn't the best team anymore. Quite simple. I thought Argentina would win the whole tournament before that game.
well first of all they were. 1 nil up
hey lost their keeper to injury and they took twoof their most influential players most importanly Crespo.
Maypole
10-07-2006, 13:11
you're italian? If so, i know what you are suffering, we went for the same after we won against england :|

No actually I am Maltese south of Italy, but in Malta we are divided in support between England and Italy and most of us are fantaics, so we celebrated yesterday like we were ourselves Italy. If someone was at Malta and didn't know it was Malta, he would have thought it was Italy yesterday.
Harlesburg
10-07-2006, 13:14
*Takes away your George Cross!*
Maypole
10-07-2006, 13:17
*Takes away your George Cross!*

Nice addition to our flag that, altough it is British.
Aelosia
10-07-2006, 13:22
Meh. Italy won.

I'm genetically inbred to despise Italians in football, and yet I think they deserved to win. Why's that?, because they did exactly what it is needed to win at football, they scored and avoided the other teams to score.

Australians whine a lot about that penalty, and yet the guy fell, in the area after one aussie launched himself at his feet, that was no diving, although I still think that was a bad call for the referee. Blame your own team for not being able to score against Brazil first and Italy then. The australian strikers sucked, face it.

My own team sucked in one match against a capable team, (Spain), and that deserved them to be out of the cup. Italy played really smart against Germany, (a better team overall), and that earned them to be in the final. They also were smart to go to the penalties against France, as they knew Barthez wasn't able to stop even frontal shots.

Regarding Zidane, well, I can understand. He had somekind of feud against Materazzi, not a fair play show, but those things happen. Awesome headbutt, anyway, I am pretty sure Materazzi ended winded.
Santo PD
10-07-2006, 13:30
Regarding Zidane, well, I can understand. He had somekind of feud against Materazzi, not a fair play show, but those things happen. Awesome headbutt, anyway, I am pretty sure Materazzi ended winded.

that was pure inspiration! I guess they gave him the golden ball award for that headbutt. Never saw such a pure display of force, creativity and agonistic spirit in my whole life.
It's so sad that he looks a bit ashamed of what he did. He should have faced the jubilant crowd afterwards, while he hid himself.
What a humble and great man.
Laerod
10-07-2006, 13:34
I don't care. Germany should win it's own damn cups.I see. Sadly, you seem to be under some kind of strange misconception that West Germany and Germany aren't the same thing. I suppose that's because you think that the term "West Germany" carries any political meaning.

West Germany is a colloquial term that refers to the Federal Republic of Germany, as opposed to the German Democratic Republic. Today, people refer to the Federal Republic of Germany as "Germany". Your point is moot.
Undivulged Principles
10-07-2006, 13:44
2002 was the worst WC I had ever seen, so I don't understand where the magic was in that one. I like it when deserving teams make the finals, not crappy ones. 2006 had four good teams in the semis, 2002 couldn't say the same.

This WC was alright, though it was marred by the officiating, as was 2002. Diving is now rampant in the game and that needs to be addressed. It was not certain nations but every nation that dove and I think this needs to be looked into in the future or the game will be forever marred.
Undivulged Principles
10-07-2006, 13:51
Meh. Italy won.

I'm genetically inbred to despise Italians in football, and yet I think they deserved to win. Why's that?, because they did exactly what it is needed to win at football, they scored and avoided the other teams to score.

Australians whine a lot about that penalty, and yet the guy fell, in the area after one aussie launched himself at his feet, that was no diving, although I still think that was a bad call for the referee. Blame your own team for not being able to score against Brazil first and Italy then. The australian strikers sucked, face it.

My own team sucked in one match against a capable team, (Spain), and that deserved them to be out of the cup. Italy played really smart against Germany, (a better team overall), and that earned them to be in the final. They also were smart to go to the penalties against France, as they knew Barthez wasn't able to stop even frontal shots.

Regarding Zidane, well, I can understand. He had somekind of feud against Materazzi, not a fair play show, but those things happen. Awesome headbutt, anyway, I am pretty sure Materazzi ended winded.



As far as the Aussies, if you think it is alright to slide at a player in the box during injury time, you need to have your head examined. I think the poorest part of the Australian team was the defense, and if it wasn't for poor finishing on the part of Italy, that game would have been a blowout.


I might be biased but I think Italy was the most deserving and was better than Germany, who were the second best team in the tournamnent. I think France was lucky to make it that far and should have never made it past the semis (though Portugal didn't deserve to go further, that game was terrible).
Thriceaddict
10-07-2006, 13:51
2002 was the worst WC I had ever seen, so I don't understand where the magic was in that one. I like it when deserving teams make the finals, not crappy ones. 2006 had four good teams in the semis, 2002 couldn't say the same.

This WC was alright, though it was marred by the officiating, as was 2002. Diving is now rampant in the game and that needs to be addressed. It was not certain nations but every nation that dove and I think this needs to be looked into in the future or the game will be forever marred.
Well, we can thank the Germans for the diving. They practically invented it. :p
Marvelland
10-07-2006, 14:23
Diving is now rampant in the game and that needs to be addressed. It was not certain nations but every nation that dove and I think this needs to be looked into in the future or the game will be forever marred.

Yes, diving should be addressed. It shouldn't be too difficult: if international referees adopt a "zero-tolerance" policy against diving, it will be reduced.
In this WC, referees were much stricter than in the previous ones. It may seem that this resulted in poor refereeing, but I don't agree. Refereeing has been good, provided that one is aware that the standards have changed, and leaving aside a couple of matches where the ref sucked. And hard fouls have not been too many, due to the new standards.
Cuation
10-07-2006, 15:26
Why the dislike for Italy? They dive, maybe, once notablly but played cleanly mostly and attacked. They didn't dive all over the place and put ten men behind the ball. They conceded two goals in ll and where one of the best sides in a good World Cup. They beat the Czechs, Ghana, Germany and France, they hardly fluked their way through.

Yes, diving should be dealt with, probably by Fifa looking at evidence after the game.

Wow Italy are behind Brazil on World Cups by one, behind a country that produced Pele and some of the greatest sides ever. Germany (note Germany, not West Germany. They are one nation, despite GA's wish to punish Germany for some reason) should be proud of their three wins and they have a side that can win a fourth.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 15:46
Germany (note Germany, not West Germany. They are one nation, despite GA's wish to punish Germany for some reason) should be proud of their three wins and they have a side that can win a fourth.

I just don't see why Italians taunt Germany for having, IMO, none. Do you laugh at Liberia and Burkina Faso too?
Thriceaddict
10-07-2006, 15:48
I just don't see why Italians taunt Germany for having, IMO, none. Do you laugh at Liberia and Burkina Faso too?
I don't know if you've noticed, but you're the only one saying Germany hasn't won any world cups. So what the hell are you jabbering about?
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 15:50
I don't know if you've noticed, but you're the only one saying Germany hasn't won any world cups. So what the hell are you jabbering about?

Or three, if you're so inclined...
Cuation
10-07-2006, 15:53
I don't know if you've noticed, but you're the only one saying Germany hasn't won any world cups. So what the hell are you jabbering about?

One other person claimed it as well as GA

I can understand if Italy did a "You have only One World Cup" to Engish fans due to how much of a pain we can be but I expect they will mostly have good taste regarding the matter. After all it is they who have just had thier league shamed before the world
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 16:25
Wow Italy are behind Brazil on World Cups by one, behind a country that produced Pele and some of the greatest sides ever.

Brazil had better fucking win the next World Cup.
Greater Alemannia
10-07-2006, 16:35
And Kofi Annan has the gall to call this the best WC ever. Pfhhh.

WORST. WORLD CUP. EVER.
Sonaj
10-07-2006, 16:59
I'll be glad for the little things. Like the fact that a swede was named the most beautiful supporter in Gazzetta dello Sport. Yay!

If you're curious, her pic is here. (http://img.aftonbladet.se/sport/0607/10/bild210.jpg)
Cuation
10-07-2006, 17:15
And Kofi Annan has the gall to call this the best WC ever. Pfhhh.

WORST. WORLD CUP. EVER.

Compared to 2002?

I thought this was a great World Cup, probably due to how close the games where, the good attacking football, some clean games and some brilliant players
Teh_pantless_hero
10-07-2006, 17:23
I'll be glad for the little things. Like the fact that a swede was named the most beautiful supporter in Gazzetta dello Sport. Yay!

If you're curious, her pic is here. (http://img.aftonbladet.se/sport/0607/10/bild210.jpg)
How the fuck did she win?
Kradlumania
10-07-2006, 18:33
I think the final was a bit of a let down, but it could have been worse.

As for all this talk about defensive play, where's the evidence? If you look at FIFA's player stats by shots here (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/stats/detail.html?section=ia&sort=SHO), then you'll see that the teams accused of playing defensively are no worse than those praised for attacking.

For an indication, if you take the top 4 players from a team, add up their number of shots and divide by the number of minutes played (to average out those that played more games), you'll see Germany and England work out at 1 shot per 31.2 minutes per player and 32.4 minutes per player respectively, better than Brazil at 34.8 and Holland at 38.6. Italy had fewer shots at 41.6 minutes per man, better than France at 44.9, but Argentina were worse with 46.5.
Sonaj
10-07-2006, 18:41
How the fuck did she win?
Don't blame the messenger. 50,000 people voted, and she won (some brazilian chick came second).
New Granada
10-07-2006, 19:00
Grosso should probably have won the best player award, he was instrumental in many of the Champion Team's victories.

Grosso's dive won the game against australia.

Grosso's 119th-minute best-shot-in-the-WC won the game against Germany.

Grosso's #5 PK sealed the final against france.


VIVE GROSSSSSSSSSO

FORZA AZZZZZZURRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Deep Kimchi
10-07-2006, 19:16
I know absolutely nothing about soccer, but I do know that that headbutt rocks. Takes balls to do that.

That was a real "fuck it" move.
OcceanDrive
10-07-2006, 19:31
That was a real "fuck it" move.My bet was that you were not going to watch any "soccer" :cool:
Intangelon
10-07-2006, 20:21
And Kofi Annan has the gall to call this the best WC ever. Pfhhh.

WORST. WORLD CUP. EVER.
Jeez, pal. You're just continuing the whole nihilism, grumpy little boy routine. It's getting old. We get it, you hate yourself, Germany and, well, everything. Grow up and be done with it already.

This WC wasn't bad at all.
Greater Alemannia
11-07-2006, 06:35
Jeez, pal. You're just continuing the whole nihilism, grumpy little boy routine. It's getting old. We get it, you hate yourself, Germany and, well, everything. Grow up and be done with it already.

This WC wasn't bad at all.

Worst World Cup ever.
Cuation
11-07-2006, 06:50
Worst World Cup ever.

Compared to 2002? Yes it was so bad seeing teams plaqying attacking football, that 22 passing move was so boring, Germany against Argentina, Argentina against Meixco, Sweden against T&T exctra
WC Imperial Court
11-07-2006, 06:56
I don't understand soccer. I don't understand its rules, subtleties, anything. I don't understand what is fun or exciting about guys kicking a ball up and down a field for 123 minutes, so the game can be decided by penalty kicks. What was the point? Why didn't u save those guys the energy and cut straight to the kicks?

Yeah, I'm a dumb American who doesnt understand or like soccer. I cant be perfect. (well, I could, and sort of am. But there are bound to be others who disagree)
Cuation
11-07-2006, 07:28
I don't understand soccer. I don't understand its rules, subtleties, anything. I don't understand what is fun or exciting about guys kicking a ball up and down a field for 123 minutes, so the game can be decided by penalty kicks. What was the point? Why didn't u save those guys the energy and cut straight to the kicks?

Yeah, I'm a dumb American who doesnt understand or like soccer. I cant be perfect. (well, I could, and sort of am. But there are bound to be others who disagree)

I probably don't understand a sport you like but we enjoy it. Thje competion, the coise of the fans, the skill of the players. We do prefer to finish the game in normal time but we can't just keep playing so sometimes it does go to penalites. Why should we have gone to penalties if one of the side could have won in normal or extra time.

Penalities last five minutes so kind of short for a sport
Laerod
11-07-2006, 08:59
One other person claimed it as well as GA

I can understand if Italy did a "You have only One World Cup" to Engish fans due to how much of a pain we can be but I expect they will mostly have good taste regarding the matter. After all it is they who have just had thier league shamed before the worldI'd only rant of "3 : 1" to English fans that try to pull a "5 : 1" on me.
Cuation
11-07-2006, 09:13
I'd only rant of "3 : 1" to English fans that try to pull a "5 : 1" on me.

5-1 :p
Laerod
11-07-2006, 09:22
5-1 :p
Drei (http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/273/deutschland6kj.jpg) zu eins (http://soccer-addict.com/images/eng_tag_patch.jpg)! :p
Marvelland
11-07-2006, 09:28
I don't understand soccer. I don't understand its rules, subtleties, anything. I don't understand what is fun or exciting about guys kicking a ball up and down a field for 123 minutes, so the game can be decided by penalty kicks. What was the point? Why didn't u save those guys the energy and cut straight to the kicks?

Yeah, I'm a dumb American who doesnt understand or like soccer. I cant be perfect. (well, I could, and sort of am. But there are bound to be others who disagree)

No issue. Many of us Europeans do not understand baseball. But you do have extra innings if a match is tie, don't you? So why don't they just play sudden death innings, saving all that time and all that "bring me to the ball game" stuff?;)
Intangelon
11-07-2006, 09:29
Worst World Cup ever.
Worst poster ever. Good grief -- get a grip, son, it's just not that bad.
Intangelon
11-07-2006, 09:29
No issue. Many of us Europeans do not understand baseball. But you do have extra innings if a match is tie, don't you? So why don't they just play sudden death innings, saving all that time and all that "bring me to the ball game" stuff?;)
Excellently stated.
Laerod
11-07-2006, 09:31
Worst poster ever. Good grief -- get a grip, son, it's just not that bad.I think he gets a feeling of satisfaction trying to spread his annoyance.
Intangelon
11-07-2006, 09:35
I think he gets a feeling of satisfaction trying to spread his annoyance.
Success. Man, he gets stale in a bleeding hurry.
Poliwanacraca
11-07-2006, 09:38
No issue. Many of us Europeans do not understand baseball. But you do have extra innings if a match is tie, don't you? So why don't they just play sudden death innings, saving all that time and all that "bring me to the ball game" stuff?;)

To be fair to my countrymen, "sudden death" baseball overtime would be entirely impossible, which is probably the best reason not to have it. :p

To be slightly less fair to my countrymen, I will never fathom how anyone can find either baseball or American football more exciting than soccer/football...
Macelerius
11-07-2006, 09:57
I'd say 2. In fact, if it wasn't for the WC being so hyped, I'd say Euro is worth more, simply because you're more likely to face tougher opposition.

The semi-final prooved that. 4 european teams left in at the semi's. European football is tougher than others around the world.

Euro 2004 had over 2 billions viewers outside of Europe, and is the second most watch event in the world. Second to the World Cup, and above the Olympics (which really suck)
Greater Alemannia
11-07-2006, 09:59
Worst poster ever. Good grief -- get a grip, son, it's just not that bad.

I consider a fixed WC to be very bad.
Macelerius
11-07-2006, 10:05
Yeah, I'm a dumb American

That is generally the whole view of you over here in England.
Cuation
11-07-2006, 10:37
I consider a fixed WC to be very bad.

Prove it. France get a duboius penalty against Italy, Italy had a man banned for five games, Italy had a man wrongly sent off against Austrilia. If anyone but Germnay won, it was fixed? I didn't see any posts before the final over it being fixed
Marvelland
11-07-2006, 14:07
The semi-final prooved that. 4 european teams left in at the semi's. European football is tougher than others around the world.


Come on, this is entirely unfair to non-Europeans. South American teams have won 9 WC, I think, and if I am not wrong European teams still have failed to win one WC outside Europe. Only Brazil managed to win in the opponent's "walled garden", and those cups played outside Europe and South America (USA, Japan/Korea) were won by Brazil again...
Marvelland
11-07-2006, 14:11
To be fair to my countrymen, "sudden death" baseball overtime would be entirely impossible, which is probably the best reason not to have it. :p


Good point! :p I couldn't think of a better name for playing pairs of innings until someone is ahead...
Harlesburg
11-07-2006, 14:15
tag
Greater Alemannia
11-07-2006, 14:20
Come on, this is entirely unfair to non-Europeans. South American teams have won 9 WC, I think, and if I am not wrong European teams still have failed to win one WC outside Europe. Only Brazil managed to win in the opponent's "walled garden", and those cups played outside Europe and South America (USA, Japan/Korea) were won by Brazil again...

And yet, Brazil can't win at home...
Peturbed Lepoard
11-07-2006, 14:21
Does any1 know what was said to Zidane to make him react in the way he did?
Jeruselem
11-07-2006, 14:26
I think Germany played the best football. Lots of goals and very clean compared to Italy and Portugal. France woke up when needed after slow group stage, but too dependant on Zidane.

Argentina were unlucky too have played Germany.

Refereeing was terrible and inconsistent.
Macelerius
11-07-2006, 19:03
Does any1 know what was said to Zidane to make him react in the way he did?

Apparently, the Italian said to Zidane: "I had sex with your mother last night. She is a terrorist whore"

Zidane took offence to this purely because he is a French African. He was born and raised in Africa.
Kilani
11-07-2006, 19:29
I was rooting for Ghana. :(