World Cup match discussion thread?

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » July 6, 2006, 10:37 am

Kelshara wrote:Well a low-scoring game doesn't have to be boring though. I thoroughly enjoy the chessmatch that has been going on in many of the games. Some of the most entertaining games I have ever seen have been low scoring.

Very few games that are 0-0 after 90 or 120 minutes are exciting. If you look at the statistics for corners (very low number per game) you'll see that the majority of these world cup matches have bene midfield quagmires with very little 18-yd box action to liven things up.

If i want a chessmatch i'll watch chess

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » July 6, 2006, 11:43 am

The final should be pretty good.

BUt for god's sake lets have some fucking goals...i have to say this tournament as a whole has had some of the most boring matches to watch...

Xorian · Post by **Xorian** » July 6, 2006, 12:10 pm

Heheh speaking of worldcup:

Maybe Not Safe is you are working but...isnt that an american player?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KlERFNG ... l%20%20pee

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 9, 2006, 6:23 pm

God damn that was beautiful.

BELLISSIMO !!!!!

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » July 9, 2006, 6:30 pm

Italy takes it all.. Great game against france, and what an Asshole move by Zidane.

Xorian · Post by **Xorian** » July 9, 2006, 6:52 pm

Too bad for Zidane, as everyone will remember that red card and forget all about his incredible skills.

Good one for Italy, although France could have won during second half, Italians were non-existents. Well, was not a truly wonderfull worldcup but i think it boosted my vv post tenfold !

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 9, 2006, 7:00 pm

Would have been a deserved win after full time for France (and I still say that they should have had another penalty). And I really want to know what was said to Zidane, that is so out of character for him. Still no excuse though.

Grats to the cheaters.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 9, 2006, 7:07 pm

Kelshara wrote:Grats to the cheaters.

Animale · Post by **Animale** » July 9, 2006, 7:57 pm

I think the dude goosed Zidane on the previous play (arm in front, other hand up his ass grabbing the dangly bits). Must have been something said afterwords to warrent the response, but that's what set Zidane off initially. Italy was my LEAST favorite side in the tournament, so I'm dissapointed by the result. Damn Italian whiney cheating brats. Hopefully the fact that they won the whole thing using those tactics will alter the means by which the refs do the tournament (i.e. more cards for diving, faking injuries, etc.).

Animale

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 9, 2006, 10:41 pm

*edit* image turned into a X

*sigh*

TT

At least he gave him a reason to fall.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 9, 2006, 10:46 pm

Still, only fucking fruits fall so violently to something like that.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 9, 2006, 11:02 pm

The best fakers and dirtiest players won. What a beautiful game.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 10, 2006, 12:39 am

Winnow wrote:The best fakers and dirtiest players won. What a beautiful game.

??? Maybe you didn't watch the game. The French were the biggest floppers during the whole game. It was pathetic actually. I thought I was watching Portugal for the first half there.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 10, 2006, 1:15 am

Please come back when you have a clue what you're talking about.

Wiever · Post by **Wiever** » July 10, 2006, 3:24 am

The headbutt heard around the world.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 10, 2006, 8:16 am

To be brutally honest: Materazzi got what he has deserved for years. I am willing to bet that there were players (including Italians) who cheered Zidane on. He is know as the Animal for a reason and has put several players out of the sport for long periods of time. He is the most hated player in Italian league. Wasn't smart of Zidane, even when provoked both physically and verbally like he was you have to hold back. But I can't think of a more deserving player than Materazzi.

And Midnyte you're on crack heh.

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » July 10, 2006, 11:08 am

I'm glad Italy won it. France can eat shit.

Trying to decide who is more "deserving" on the perceived amount of diving/cheating is ludicrous especially in this world cup. Two things:
1) If ZZ is stupid enough to be that goadable, tough. And ha ha.
2) Thierry Henry is a massive bottler. We watch him turn teams inside out every week in the EPL but he's now played in every major final available to him and failed to score in any. Ho ho ho.

All in all it was a poor tournament IMO. Too few goals and too much cheating. Bring on the video replay officials.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 10, 2006, 11:49 am

Funny, every expert commentator I've read and listened to said that Henry played the best game of the cup in the finale. Of course, his ability on Arsenal has nothing to do with actually having a second attacker to assist him

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 10, 2006, 12:14 pm

Henry scored. He kicked it in off a free kick by Zidane.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 10, 2006, 12:23 pm

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Henry scored. He kicked it in off a free kick by Zidane.

"every major final"

He did not score in the final.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 10, 2006, 12:26 pm

Boogahz wrote:
Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:Henry scored. He kicked it in off a free kick by Zidane.
"every major final"

He did not score in the final.

Nevermind

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » July 10, 2006, 12:49 pm

Zinedine Zidane gets the asshat of the decade award. What a way to go out....would could have been the absolute crowning moment of his career, he instead turns it into a debacle.

F

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 10, 2006, 2:42 pm

The more I think of it, stuff like this happens all of the time. Cameras are usually what gets the players busted quite often...by FIFA after the fact. If the Refs did not actually see it happen, there should not have been a Red Card. I think that was the issue that the US announcers were talking about. The replay of the incident was played in the stadium on the large screen, and it was mentioned that the refs may have only seen it there since there were no moves toward a Red Card until one of the other Refs were spoken to. If that was the case, they should use those for instant replay during all of the games. They could have seen that the first penalty was not "much" of a penalty, and they could have caught the second more obvious penalty which was not called on Italy in their box.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 10, 2006, 3:24 pm

That is actually what we discussed here today as well. They basically used instant replay to decide on the red card. They did not see it while it happened. Even though the red card was an obvious one, since the refs did not see it he should not have been tossed off.

That said, they showed a replay of all the stuff that was done to Zidane durign the game before that. My balls hurt from all the squeezing his got heh. Not to mention all the small kicks, elbows in the back etc.

I still would like to know what was finally said to him though.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 10, 2006, 3:54 pm

He said he was given a purple nurple.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » July 10, 2006, 5:53 pm

vn_Tanc wrote:I'm glad Italy won it. France can eat shit.

Trying to decide who is more "deserving" on the perceived amount of diving/cheating is ludicrous especially in this world cup. Two things:
1) If ZZ is stupid enough to be that goadable, tough. And ha ha.
2) Thierry Henry is a massive bottler. We watch him turn teams inside out every week in the EPL but he's now played in every major final available to him and failed to score in any. Ho ho ho.

All in all it was a poor tournament IMO. Too few goals and too much cheating. Bring on the video replay officials.

my thoughts exactly, and seriously? who the hell headbutts someone like a fucking rhino?
Zidane, who ive never liked proved to be beyond moronic by having the last moments in his career (in the most prestigious soccer game in the world none the less) ruined by the most obscure way to start a fight i have ever seen.. (was funny as hell though, both walking casually in the same direction, then he turns around to charge him bull on bullfighter style!) he let down his team most importantly though

and i have to agree with mid, the french did play a much cheaper and less honorable game then the italians for once (which is VERY hard to do!)
did you see them get their medals? they showed 0 class

either way this was by far the dullest and worst world cup ive ever seen, and i hope for much better in 2010...

no more watching sports for 4 years!

Nick · Post by **Nick** » July 10, 2006, 6:42 pm

The more I watch that headbutt, the more of a Legend I think Zidane is.

Me hero

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 10, 2006, 6:43 pm

I can't see your image from work, but there are a lot of new ones (including the original) up at http://www.ggzidane.com

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » July 10, 2006, 11:24 pm

lol

from http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5 ... P&GT1=8393

The Paris-based anti-racism advocacy group SOS-Racism issued a statement Monday quoting "several very well informed sources from the world of football" as saying Materazzi called Zidane a "dirty terrorist." It demanded that FIFA investigate and take any appropriate action.

if that is true which sounds very far fetched to me a headbutt is somewhat understandable, but still most educated secure people would rise above such words and show them up in the field

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 10, 2006, 11:50 pm

I heard that as well, but it was only on random message boards. That story is the first "official" story I have seen that addressed it. The problem is that I am afraid the sources might be the same boards I read it on, hehe.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » July 11, 2006, 9:14 am

Newspapers here quoted lip readers hired by BBC today and several things were supposedly said during the game:

- Materazzi supposedly said about Zidane's first coach who died just before the Cup of cancer: "I hope Jean suffered". Zidane and the coach were very close.

- Materazzi supposedly also said: "I wish you and your family a horrible death. Go to hell!"

- After a high ball that went over Zidane (and where Materazzi pinched his nipple of all things): "High balls like that is not meant for scumbags like you". The word he used is Italian derogatory slang, I really have no translation for it but used scumbag.

- Zidane replied with: "So you want my shirt? I'll give it to you after the game".

- Materazzi fired back with: "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore". Of course, Zidane is from Algerie and is a Muslim.

- Zidane headbutts Materazzi who, in typical Italian style, dies and gets resurrected from the dead heh.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 11, 2006, 9:30 am

Kelshara wrote:Newspapers here quoted lip readers hired by BBC today and several things were supposedly said during the game:

- Materazzi supposedly said about Zidane's first coach who died just before the Cup of cancer: "I hope Jean suffered". Zidane and the coach were very close.

- Materazzi supposedly also said: "I wish you and your family a horrible death. Go to hell!"

- After a high ball that went over Zidane (and where Materazzi pinched his nipple of all things): "High balls like that is not meant for scumbags like you". The word he used is Italian derogatory slang, I really have no translation for it but used scumbag.

- Zidane replied with: "So you want my shirt? I'll give it to you after the game".

- Materazzi fired back with: "We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore". Of course, Zidane is from Algerie and is a Muslim.

- Zidane headbutts Materazzi who, in typical Italian style, dies and gets resurrected from the dead heh.

LOL. Good stuff.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » July 11, 2006, 11:29 am

I was pretty disappointed in the Final because I hate France as a countrya dn the Italians as bunch of flopping primadonnas. I also think Zidane was probably justified in his actions. The Italians had been constantly holding him and tripping him up all game and while he could have taken numerous dives, he sucked it up and kept playing. From what I hear Materrozzi is the primo primadonna and flop artist on the italian team.

I am by no means a soccer expert, hell I barely knwo the rules but the flopping is just way out of hand on some of those teams. I guess they got so used to flopping during their war losses that they brought it onto the soccer pitch with them.

Drolgin Steingrinder · Post by **Drolgin Steingrinder** » July 11, 2006, 11:40 am

Marco Materazzi is a despicable player. He's like Vinnie Jones without the charm. And outside the pitch, he would've most likely deserved the headbutt, and not in the chest - but on the pitch there's no fucking excuse.

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » July 11, 2006, 12:23 pm

Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:Marco Materazzi is a despicable player. He's like Vinnie Jones without the charm. And outside the pitch, he would've most likely deserved the headbutt, and not in the chest - but on the pitch there's no fucking excuse.

Yeah, he's an asshole alright...it would be oh so much sweeter it ZZ kept his cool, and wound up winning the game for France. That would be a much better 'fuck you" to materazzi.

laneela · Post by **laneela** » July 11, 2006, 3:33 pm

Skogen wrote:
Drolgin Steingrinder wrote:Marco Materazzi is a despicable player. He's like Vinnie Jones without the charm. And outside the pitch, he would've most likely deserved the headbutt, and not in the chest - but on the pitch there's no fucking excuse.
Yeah, he's an asshole alright...it would be oh so much sweeter it ZZ kept his cool, and wound up winning the game for France. That would be a much better 'fuck you" to materazzi.

And then headbutted him.

In the face.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 11, 2006, 3:46 pm

This just in:

Materazzi doesn't know what an Islamic Terrorist is!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/s ... ml?cnn=yes

MILAN, Italy (AP) -- Marco Materazzi admits he insulted Zinedine Zidane before the France captain head-butted him in the World Cup final. Materazzi denies calling him a "terrorist."

"I did insult him, it's true," Materazzi said in Tuesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I categorically did not call him a terrorist. I'm not cultured and I don't even know what an Islamic terrorist is."

Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time of Sunday's final in Berlin. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy won the game in a penalty shootout.

"I held his shirt for a few seconds only, then he turned round and spoke to me, sneering," the Italian defender said. "He looked me up and down, arrogantly and said: 'If you really want my shirt, I'll give it to you afterwards."'

The 32-year-old Inter Milan player did not elaborate exactly on what he said to Zidane.

"It was one of those insults you're told tens of times and that always fly around the pitch," he said.

Media reports, based on interpretations by lip-readers, have suggested that Materazzi called Zidane a terrorist or insulted his mother or sister. Materazzi denies these claims, too.

"For me, the mother is sacred, you know that," Materazzi told the newspaper.

Materazzi is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended for two months for punching Siena defender Bruno Cirillo after a Serie A game in February 2004, and earned condemnation following a brutal tackle on Sweden and Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in October 2005.

Materazzi was also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season.

One Italian senator even suggested that Materazzi -- also sent off three times while playing for Everton in the 1998-99 season -- didn't merit selection for the Italian team because of his physical style.

Zidane also is known for having a temper. He was sent off for stomping on a Saudi Arabian opponent at the 1998 World Cup, while at Germany 2006 he was banned for France's group match against Togo.

Five years ago with Juventus, Zidane head-butted an opponent in a Champions League match against Hamburger SV after being tackled from behind.

Meanwhile, Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni accused FIFA of double standards, noting that soccer's governing body named Zidane as the tournament's best player after his head-butt, while Italy forward Francesco Totti was kicked out of the 2004 European Championship for spitting in an opponent's face.

"I notice a difference in the way in which Totti was treated after the spit and the way in which Zinedine Zidane has been lauded as a champion of soccer, even though he is held responsible for such a violent blow that it could even have had devastating effects," Veltroni said.

FIFA announced Tuesday it will open a disciplinary investigation into Zidane's conduct.

FIFA also said that the ballot box for the tournament's top player -- voted by journalists -- was open until after the final had ended, making it impossible to know how many ballots were cast before the match and during it.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » July 11, 2006, 6:05 pm

I'm not a big soccer fan but I did enjoy watching some of the different games. At the same time, the final capped why I'm not a fan.

The match-up did nothing for me because I hate the French (always) and while I have nothing against Italy, the Italians have played like a bunch of assholes every time I saw them.

The game itself started OK, especially with the early goal, but then dives and shit reminded me of the pre-lockout NHL: BS rule bending and non-calls ruining a game. The shit on Zidane was almost criminal to my untrained eye. His "head butt" (isn't a head butt supposed to be head to head, not head to chest?) was in some ways justifiable, considering the lack of officiating, but it cheapens the whole event.

And I'm sorry, call it the hockey fan in me, but I hate seeing a championship in a team sport decided in a shootout or penalty kicks (and its not just residual bitterness of Canada-Sweden in Lillehammar). It takes the team out of the equation to me. Make it sudden death after the regular extra time but I don't like the contrived one-on-ones deciding it all.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 11, 2006, 6:33 pm

I would prefer seeing them play longer rather than going into a shootout as well. Maybe they could add additional subs after the first 2 overtime periods and add the Golden Goal starting after 2 also. The final, for me, was Germany v Portugal. There was much less drama unless you count Schweinsteiger removing his jersey after a goal or the loud whistles whenever Cristiano Ronaldo touched the ball. It also involved "my" team which made it loads better for me.

I am just sad that it is over and now I will probably only see the occasional delayed games on Fox Soccer Channel and the Mexican league games on the Spanish channels. I already miss seeing the games in HD quality on a (almost) daily basis.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · Post by **Midnyte_Ragebringer** » July 11, 2006, 7:16 pm

Boogahz wrote:

I am just sad that it is over and now I will probably only see the occasional delayed games on Fox Soccer Channel and the Mexican league games on the Spanish channels. I already miss seeing the games in HD quality on a (almost) daily basis.

Yeah, I miss it too. DirecTV doesn't offer English Premeir League or anything? There has to be a package available. I'd really like to watch more soccer.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 11, 2006, 7:53 pm

I have Time Warner. FSC offers delayed games, generally at least 1 per week, from different leagues. I used to get more before they switched over to their current format. There were pretty regular English Premier League games available.

laneela · Post by **laneela** » July 12, 2006, 11:06 am

Wulfran wrote:And I'm sorry, call it the hockey fan in me, but I hate seeing a championship in a team sport decided in a shootout or penalty kicks (and its not just residual bitterness of Canada-Sweden in Lillehammar). It takes the team out of the equation to me. Make it sudden death after the regular extra time but I don't like the contrived one-on-ones deciding it all.

I tend to watch it with a hockey fan's eye as well, but they would need to completely redesign the game for anything other than a shootout to decide the win. In hockey, you have a 20 man team, with no more than 6 men on the ice at any time. If a player sees 25 minutes of ice time, he had a busy game. In football, once it gets to penalties, at least 8 men have been on the pitch for 120 minutes (a hockey game would have to go to 18 full periods before your average hockey player would have seen that much play time).

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » July 12, 2006, 8:29 pm

zidane is taking over ytmnd...

http://neszidane.ytmnd.com/

http://zidanewantscandy.ytmnd.com/

http://zidaneownsfidelcastro.ytmnd.com/

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » July 12, 2006, 9:07 pm

Yeah, the first of those which I ran across was where I had originally linked the picture from...

http://www.ggzidane.com