And Zidane isn't new to these things...remember Juventus- Hamburg 5 years ago?
Yep I fully agree, he is known for "ticking" [;)]. I think he got 10 or so red cards in his carreer?
Diving and cheating?!?!
I do not agree. Everybody dives and cheats. Look at the penalty given to France!
Yes, everybody does, some just more and more obvious [;)]. The penalty was 100% okay IMHO. I had a football referee sitting next to me yesterday when we watched the game. He said that you must give it, although the defender (Materazzi IIRC) was pulling his leg back the speed and forece in his charge was reason enough, and on top of that he hit him.
Congrats to Italy for diving, cheating and acting their way right through in the finals and winning the cup [:'(]. I would love to know what Marco Materazzi said to Zidane before he lost it. I'm very sure it was something really nice, you could see Zidane steaming, I saw this coming when he went into position. As a funny sidenote that was really something where an italian player was actually hit hard and fall [;)]
Verbal insults are part of any sport, players have to learn to not overreact... Zidane behaved as a noob 17 years old child... Nice way to end his career... bye bye Zinedine [8|]
Now bring justice to the european football and sent Juve to "Seria C" and the rest of the pack to "Seria B".[8|]
I hope it too! No amensty for the teams who cheated, that will be the best way to celebrate the deserved World Championship victory! [;)]
Congrats to Italy for diving, cheating and acting their way right through in the finals and winning the cup [:'(]. I would love to know what Marco Materazzi said to Zidane before he lost it. I'm very sure it was something really nice, you could see Zidane steaming, I saw this coming when he went into position. As a funny sidenote that was really something where an italian player was actually hit hard and fall [;)]
Verbal insults are part of any sport, players have to learn to not overreact... Zidane behaved as a noob 17 years old child... Nice way to end his career... bye bye Zinedine [8|]
Now bring justice to the european football and sent Juve to "Seria C" and the rest of the pack to "Seria B".[8|]
I hope it too! No amensty for the teams who cheated, that will be the best way to celebrate the deserved World Championship victory! [;)]
Well I do not agree on the insulting thing. But you can't prohibit it either.
When will they announce the conviction in the manipulation scandal, is that still today?
ORIGINAL: pauk
next, how can you say who would play for Senegal,Guadelope or France? Australian Croats also are divided - couple of them playing for Croatia, several of them for Australia...[;)]
Yeah but neither team is relying on Australian Croats or Croat Australians to form a backbone of the whole team. Besides, it's couple Croats playing for Ozzie, couple Ozzies playing for Croatia - seems kinda fair to me [:D]
Having some immigrants & foreigners in the team for additional flavor is OK, but watching "French" team start with 7 Africans, 2 Arabs + 2 whites (+ usually have 3 more Africans come as substitutes), well, that's just too much for my taste.
What French are doing is killing authentic African football BIG time. Teams like Senegal, Mali, Zaire etc. have enough problems to get to WC and do something as it is, with France stealing their best players it's just impossible. [:-]
I couldn't work out how Henry was nearly knocked unconscious by such an innocuous bump. I've had worse trying to get to the bar at the pub.
And it was amazing how Zidane's head-butt to the chest managed to knock Marco Materazzi completely off his feet, like he'd been hit by an elephant gun from 20 paces. Materazzi was the chief wounded-look, shrugged shoulders, wild gesticulation, annoying bastard in the Italian team and I'm surprised Zidane didn't give it to him right on the shnoz. The head-butt to the chest didn't do any damage, except to French hopes.
Every World Cup is the same. Most of the interesting games are in the early rounds where there is positive football and plenty of scoring, especially from long range. But then the teams with attacking flair, often African, are mostly bundled out by a combination of professionalism, solid defence and "big team" decisions by the referees. Thus, the finals are packed with highly disciplined teams with excellent defences, often leading to "thrilling" 0-0 results after 120 minutes. Don't get me wrong, these games are often very tactically interesting but some actual goals would help the spectacle. On top of this, the entire affair is lousy with diving cheats who often scam victory, despite endless FIFA assurances about stamping out simulation.
I watched a game of Australian Rules football between two bottom teams after really enjoying the first week of the World Cup and I was struck by what a great game I was seeing. Both sides were absolutely desperate, there was a relentless pace, it was physical, athletic and there was regular scoring. An international version of this would be incredible.
Football (soccer) fans in Australia often denigrate Aussie Rules by saying "Who cares? No other countries play it". Well, there's a reason for that. It was invented here and no-one else had much exposure to it. Also it is beginning to be played in other countries anyway. Its lack of international profile doesn't mean it isn't a wonderful game. Australians have had over a century of exposure to soccer but have overwhelmingly preferred to watch Aussie Rules and both forms of Rugby.
High class International Rugby is a phenomenal thing to watch. No simulation there: just strength, toughness, speed and skill. It must attract a different breed of Frenchman and Argentinean because they have national teams with proud records. In Rugby Union, Rugby League and Aussie Rules, athletes regularly play on with broken bones, punctured lungs etc. It's just part of the culture and when you are used to seeing that, a footballer who flings himself metres through the air before rolling half a dozen times and writhing around in apparent agony for several minutes, only to subsequently run off like nothing happened, is extremely hard to take.
I do enjoy "the beautiful game" but I just wish there was a little more stoicism, tempo and scoring and less Academy Award performances and useless chipping around of the ball at the back. Of course by the time the next World Cup rolls around, I'll have forgotten much of this and will be looking forward to it again. Although everyone's going to get mugged in South Africa. My ex girlfriend had been there for ten minutes before she was nearly raped by two black guys. Nice joint. I think I'll watch it on telly.
However it seems that Materazzi said to Zizou something like "You, Islamic Terrorist"...
Something very stupid to say, but nothing incredibly offending imho.
Anyway, the penalty could be given or not imho. Probably it was more penalty the takle Cannavaro made on "Malouda" ( i think) during the second half...
The decision abou the "Calcio-Gate" will be taken between today and wedsnday
However it seems that Materazzi said to Zizou something like "You, Islamic Terrorist"...
Something very stupid to say, but nothing incredibly offending imho.
However it seems that Materazzi said to Zizou something like "You, Islamic Terrorist"...
Something very stupid to say, but nothing incredibly offending imho.
Anyway, the penalty could be given or not imho. Probably it was more penalty the takle Cannavaro made on "Malouda" ( i think) during the second half...
Yep that is what I heard too in the news today. He called him an "islamic terrorist" and in a german sport news channel they added that he insulted his mother too. If that is true Zidane should had hit Materazzis head not his chest. This kind of personal insulting crap does not belong on the field. It is pathetic, even more then diving.
I agree on the second penalty, but I would say the referee had not the guts. I found him not very convincing anyway. Very unreliable and confusing in his calls.
It's one of the reasons I never liked Soccer. It's a baby sport. A don't touch me sport or I'll whine and cry and act like you killed me. Now American Football and yeah Aussie football are great. FULL CONTACT sports. Soccer is for sissies.
WE/I WANT 1:1 or something even 1:2 death animations in the KOIOS PANZER COMMAND SERIES don't forget Erik! and Floating Paratroopers We grew up with Minor, Marginal and Decisive victories why rock the boat with Marginal, Decisive and Legendary?
Materazzi has just stated that he did not insult Zidane at all. He did not say "terrorist" to him, arguing that he does not even know the meaning of the word, LOL, yeah right [;)][8|].
Zidane has mentioned that he will talk about the whole thing in a few days, while some lip reading interpreters have stated that Materazzi has named Zidane's sister a prostitute, twice.
Materazzi has just stated that he did not insult Zidane at all. He did not say "terrorist" to him, arguing that he does not even know the meaning of the word, LOL, yeah right [;)][8|].
Zidane has mentioned that he will talk about the whole thing in a few days, while some lip reading interpreters have stated that Materazzi has named Zidane's sister a prostitute, twice.
Well if it's true, she'll be happy for the free publicity. [:'(]
Jeez...I just thought he was annoying because of his on-field antics. We'll find out he shot JFK next.
ORIGINAL: pauk
I found that extremely offending....
You GOT to be kidding? I've been called more offensive names on practically every forum I visit (not that I care anyway [:D]) + not to mention what I've been called on our local Croat forums.
Even if true, people say many things on the pitch - who cares? Had it been the other way round (Zidane insulting Materazzi, and Materazzi kicking him down) people will say "yeah we told you Sicilian dude is butcher" and no one would even try to find out what Zidane said to him. Now, the whole world is united in trying to find some reason for what Zidane did (and what was most unsportsamnlike episode of the whole damn tournament!)
Anyway, I'm just trying out my new avatar if you don't mind [:D]
Agreed Oleg. End of the day no matter what he said I DOUBT it has never been said before on a football pitch. There is so much winding up/abuse/swearing in the modern game. Zidane (if anyone) should be used to it
I couldn't work out how Henry was nearly knocked unconscious by such an innocuous bump. I've had worse trying to get to the bar at the pub.
And it was amazing how Zidane's head-butt to the chest managed to knock Marco Materazzi completely off his feet, like he'd been hit by an elephant gun from 20 paces. Materazzi was the chief wounded-look, shrugged shoulders, wild gesticulation, annoying bastard in the Italian team and I'm surprised Zidane didn't give it to him right on the shnoz. The head-butt to the chest didn't do any damage, except to French hopes.
Every World Cup is the same. Most of the interesting games are in the early rounds where there is positive football and plenty of scoring, especially from long range. But then the teams with attacking flair, often African, are mostly bundled out by a combination of professionalism, solid defence and "big team" decisions by the referees. Thus, the finals are packed with highly disciplined teams with excellent defences, often leading to "thrilling" 0-0 results after 120 minutes. Don't get me wrong, these games are often very tactically interesting but some actual goals would help the spectacle. On top of this, the entire affair is lousy with diving cheats who often scam victory, despite endless FIFA assurances about stamping out simulation.
I watched a game of Australian Rules football between two bottom teams after really enjoying the first week of the World Cup and I was struck by what a great game I was seeing. Both sides were absolutely desperate, there was a relentless pace, it was physical, athletic and there was regular scoring. An international version of this would be incredible.
Football (soccer) fans in Australia often denigrate Aussie Rules by saying "Who cares? No other countries play it". Well, there's a reason for that. It was invented here and no-one else had much exposure to it. Also it is beginning to be played in other countries anyway. Its lack of international profile doesn't mean it isn't a wonderful game. Australians have had over a century of exposure to soccer but have overwhelmingly preferred to watch Aussie Rules and both forms of Rugby.
High class International Rugby is a phenomenal thing to watch. No simulation there: just strength, toughness, speed and skill. It must attract a different breed of Frenchman and Argentinean because they have national teams with proud records. In Rugby Union, Rugby League and Aussie Rules, athletes regularly play on with broken bones, punctured lungs etc. It's just part of the culture and when you are used to seeing that, a footballer who flings himself metres through the air before rolling half a dozen times and writhing around in apparent agony for several minutes, only to subsequently run off like nothing happened, is extremely hard to take.
I do enjoy "the beautiful game" but I just wish there was a little more stoicism, tempo and scoring and less Academy Award performances and useless chipping around of the ball at the back. Of course by the time the next World Cup rolls around, I'll have forgotten much of this and will be looking forward to it again. Although everyone's going to get mugged in South Africa. My ex girlfriend had been there for ten minutes before she was nearly raped by two black guys. Nice joint. I think I'll watch it on telly.
Cheers, Neilster
How could one not like a game (Aussie Rules) where the referees where those lovely hats.
"When they get in trouble they send for the sonsabitches" - Adm. King
ORIGINAL: Vyshka
How could one not like a game (Aussie Rules) where the referees where those lovely hats.
Oh, the hats!
I also agree with 90% of Neilster's post [8D] One manly sport he didn't mention is ice hockey.
I disagree with the part where he says Materazzi is "annoying bastard" though [:-] I don't know about his "previous life" but on this WC he was just one fine defending player (I am serious). If there's ONE dude in the Italian team who plays "manly football" it's Materazzi!
Great Avatar Oleg! [;)] He was one of the best italian player of the WC![&o]
If you watch the replay Materazzi wasn't the only one to say something to Zidane, but Zidane was speaking to Materazzi too... So both were offending, it happens in sports, but real players know this and stay calm... Zidane lose his nerves and did that bullshit [:-]
and Floating Paratroopers We grew up with Minor, Marginal and Decisive victories why rock the boat with Marginal, Decisive and Legendary?
