Andrea - thank you for the BEAUTIFUL photos ...
t.

I admit that I do not usually follow soccer (footbol), but my interest was obviously spurred by my recent visit to Italy and the fact that Italy was in it ...
I also think it is a pity that after so long a battle on the field, the game should be decided by penalty kicks ... the truth be told, not once during the penalty kicks did either goalie come close to blocking a shot ... if it were not for the missed kick ... ??? ...
However, if Italy's performance were no where near that of France, shouldn't France have been able to score ??? ... or perhaps it was only by their extra effort that France kept Italy from scoring ...
t.

The italian played incredibly well in the first half, that's how they were able to tie the score after such a short time... After that, they were dominated during the rest of the game. It's true that France did not win, but penalty kicks never determin who the better team is, it just shows who the luckiest team is. Now, Materazzi is starting to admit that he insulted Zidane... If racial comments have been made, that is really really sad.

Claude,
the italian team was really tired in the second half because they still had the 120' played against Germany in the legs.
We won not because we played better, but because we were more determined to win; our coach Marcello Lippi said, the day before the match: "Tomorrow we will sit at the table and the one who is more hungry will prevail".
And you know what? He was right!

Andrea,

I agree that the Italians were definitely more determined to win. I just wished that the ending wouldn't've been as ugly.
Like they said, Zidane's behavior is understandable but not excusable and I agree with that.
I just think that both players should've been kicked out but what's done is done.
Congrats to you though
Cheers,

Claude

... and to think there were actually people who said we were wrong when we picked ITALIA !!! ...

t.

What are you guys talking about?
This was the lamest nr.1 team ever since. A false penalty against Australia. Weak against Ghana. A lame (!) case against the german player Frings who just defended himself. And a final that showed a disappointing team against france. With a guy who couldn´t stop insulting Zidane in the worst way. Italy could have been a worthy Nr. 1 - but they were stumbling from one game to the next - very lucky and proven unfair. I have no respect for such a "winner". I have no sympathies for Zidane acting that way. You know why? Because the guys reaction proved that it pays to insult, simulate, nag, foul. This was something that was discussed as well by the international press - except in Italy may be. Some italian polticians are seriously considering an amnesty in the pending italian soccer scandal now. I can´t believe it. Am I just another angry German whow can´t get over the half final. Nope. Nr. 3 was fine and it was a pleasant game. Which cannot be said about the final, where they should have disnmissed the italian guy as well from the green.

Heinrich

Wow,

I understand you being angry but it seems you only pointed out what worked in Italy's favor, if you examine the world cup and probably all sporting events you will find this happens all the time and it comes down to who's luck is working and who's isn't.

I think all players that have made it into any pro league has an amazing amount of skill and talent, so to say that 1 team happened to make it to number by way of an unfair advantage is preety impressive.

Also I've played allot of sports in my time including soccer for and against italians, trash talking is the most used part of the game. And I have heard worst that the terrorist remark, as a pro, thinking for the greater good of the team, he should have waited till after the game.


just an opinion

Originally posted by Heinrich:
A lame (!) case against the german player Frings who just defended himself

False! Frings hit poor Julio Cruz, who was simply trying to calm down his team-mates: I know him well because he plays in Italy and can assure you that he is the most peaceful guy in the world. By the way, if the Argentinian coach (Pekerman) had had a bit more of wisdom, Germany would have been out of the Cup and we would have met Argentina in the semi-final, and, if you want to talk scandal, let's talk about the referee in Germany-Argentina... what do you say?

And a final that showed a disappointing team against france. With a guy who couldn´t stop insulting Zidane in the worst way.

False again. In the first part of the match Zidane was under the control of Gattuso and Pirlo and Materazzi took over only towards the end.
And, speaking of insults, they say that he said something about Zidane's sister... so what? A real pro -like Zidane was supposed to be- would have settled the thing after the match, and not on the field, in front of one billion five hundred million people watching the match, leaving his team in a situation of disadvantage.

And don't worry about the amnesty: there will be none: wait and see.

Heinrich, don't be so bitter: we felt the same way when you won in Rome in 1990 (by the way, that was a lame final!!) You have to understand, like we did back then, that organizing a World Cup doesn't mean that you have won it already.
And let me tell you one more thing: Klinsmann was really clever to resign; he knows that your team is nothing special and the third place is much more than you deserve...


[This message has been edited by Dreamer (edited 07-12-2006).]

Hi Dreamer,

Not bitter at all.
Frings got a light slap by Cruz a moment before, which can be seen on the video. By the way Frings and Cruz, both said it was no bad thing, Cruz said in front of the press, hd didn´t even notice a thing. And talking about Argentina. Mezelder was hit on the floor by an argentinian, who kicked him in his nuts. And another one hit a german player from behind badly on his head. Theré´s the scandal! By the way, since when is it the business of italian media to pitch up a big boohoo late after the game? They were trying to avoid Frings for the coming game. Nobody cared about the german players who really got beaten, strange isnt it?
About Zidane and an italian guy saying "something about his sister" according to your words. Strange attitude! This guy was insulted several times. Some minutes ago they had a press conference, Zidane talking about this and. He excused his blackout, but doesn´t feel sorry. Apart from that lipreaders read: "You sun of a terrorist bitch!"

Rome 1990 - yeah that was a lame final indeed and my honest regrets. I watched it in an italian restaurant and told the guys at the end I felt sorry for them.

I never said the german team is special. Nor do I have to be told that organising a WM is not winning a WM. I even tend to say Italy has been the better team against Germany. And that was exactly the only game where they showed their skills The rest was uninspiring and boring. Whereas the german team played very well against Sweden, Protugal, Poland. They deserved Nr.3 , no more no less. That said I betted for Italy and could not put up any more with their behaviour on and off the field. If you think they deserved it - I definitely think they did not for several reasons. End of story. I won´t discuss football any longer here - I had to say this, but thats my final word to it.

Heinrich