Rebecca 0 #51 July 10, 2006 I think someone in Bonfire said Materazzi might have twisted Zidane's nipple, which of course would make the headbutt provoked and fully deserved. If Materazzi did that, he's a punk. He was out to get under Zidane's skin. And Zidane let him. No judgement - in the heat of the game, the pressure, the contact, everything is SO close to the surface. I guess I just wonder how a 34 year old captain and team lynchpin wouldn't be on his guard against his own temper. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #52 July 10, 2006 QuoteWorse than that incident though was Malouda's dive in the beginning of the game -- truly despicable. I think you've got your priorities all wrong as Zidane's head butt was far worse than any dive. Did this "Malouda" character dive in the 1st half? Yes looking at the replay I think it's clear that he did dive. But you know what? I saw French and Italian players diving left right and center all game long. It's as if nobody could stay on their feet. Plus I saw an Italian defender clearly take down a French player in the penalty area in the 2nd half with no call whatsoever. So there was no consistency at all from the zebras in this game. Sometimes they would make the right call and some times they would totally miss a call (and miss it on purpose because God forbid they call two penalty kicks in one game). In fact while I know many of you like to criticize hockey (probably because some of you have never played the game and know nothing about it), but I think soccer players need to learn a thing or two about being tough from hockey players. To see a soccer player go down rolling around on the ground as if they are mortally wounded after not even being touched by the opposition kind of puts things into perspective as to where the sport of soccer is. The pure game of soccer is a beautiful thing, but all this diving and acting like your mortally wounded when someone steps on your foot is a joke. You'll never see a hockey player rolling around acting like they are mortally wounded (only to be up and at it going full speed minutes later). Oh and I started off chearing for France yesterday (I didn't really care who won or lost) but changed who I was cheering for after Zidane's bone headed head butt. What a classless act from someone who's supposed to be one of the best players in the world. After that incident it was clear who deserved to win and it wasn't the French that's for sure. Congrats to Italy for their win. Soccer can be a great game to watch. But there is still some serious issues with diving and acting like they're mortally wounded when someone brushes up against them. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #53 July 10, 2006 QuoteI think someone in Bonfire said Materazzi might have twisted Zidane's nipple, which of course would make the headbutt provoked and fully deserved. If Materazzi did that, he's a punk. He was out to get under Zidane's skin. And Zidane let him. No judgement - in the heat of the game, the pressure, the contact, everything is SO close to the surface. I guess I just wonder how a 34 year old capitan and team lynchpin wouldn't be on his guard against his own temper. He did twist Zidane's nipple, and I agree to a certain extent that he is a punk. I think the more accurate term is that he's a cowboy -- wild and unpredictable. And very physical, with a knack for playing psyche-out games. He said something after that encounter with Zidane, which I suppose put him over the top. I think retaliation with a head-butt is understandable, but not during a game where the consequences are so costly. I think Materazzi, or "Matrix" as we Azzurri fans affectionately call him, was the man of the match yesterday -- caused Malouda's dive which gave France the 1-0, scored the equalizer, got Zidane sent off, and scored one of our goals in the shootout. If Nesta were not injured yesterday, Matrix would have been on the bench. He was my biggest worry before this game, since he's so wildly unpredictable and can make or break a match (see previous red card vs. AU). Fortunately for us, he made it yesterday. Have a look at his club play for Inter Milan vs. AC Milan -- that's the kind of guy he is. I personally don't agree with the coach selecting him for the national team because of stuff like this, but he is nonetheless a great defender. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #54 July 10, 2006 QuoteIn fact while I know many of you like to criticize hockey (probably because some of you have never played the game and know nothing about it), but I think soccer players need to learn a thing or two about being tough from hockey players. Personally, I like hockey -- it's my favorite of the four major US spectator sports (I'm a Flyers fan). I'll admit though -- I don't know nearly as much about the sport as you do. Quote To see a soccer player go down rolling around on the ground as if they are mortally wounded after not even being touched by the opposition kind of puts things into perspective as to where the sport of soccer is. The pure game of soccer is a beautiful thing, but all this diving and acting like your mortally wounded when someone steps on your foot is a joke... But there is still some serious issues with diving and acting like they're mortally wounded when someone brushes up against them. Have a look at this post. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #55 July 10, 2006 QuoteHave a look at this post. When I see two soccer players kicking at the ball missing it instead going shin on shin, then yes I can totally understand how a soccer player can get hurt (I've even played the game in the past and understand that injuries can occur). But when I see a guy going down rolling around like he his mortally wounded after barely being touched (or not touched at all). I know it is an act and it's part of a game I do not like. If I can block a slap shot in hockey (sometimes hitting unprotected parts of my body) with a hard rubber puck and stay on the ice until I can safely get to the bench so as not to put my team in a bad position to getting scored on, then a soccer player should be able to handle having their foot stepped on without acting like he's going to die (then of course he's back on his feet running full speed minutes later). The pure game of soccer is a great game to watch. But I didn't see a pure game yesterday. Instead I saw a game where nobody really wanted to try and score in OT (with the exception of that one header by Zidane) and it was clear that both teams were playing for the penalty kicks to decide it all. It was entertaining (the most important thing) and full of drama. So in that respect it was worth watching. But soccer really needs to clean it's self up when it comes to all these dives. But then again, haven't people been saying this for years? Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #56 July 10, 2006 QuoteWorse than that incident though was Malouda's dive in the beginning of the game -- truly despicable. I would call that even. it was a flagrant dive and a terrible call by a ref that handed the Italians a spot in the semi finals. If it wasn't for that Spanish ref, the Italians may have never made it out of the quarter finals. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #57 July 10, 2006 QuoteHe said something after that encounter with Zidane, which I suppose put him over the top. You think the well known facist said something to the magrebian that put him over to top? Really? That being said, Zidane should have kept his cool. The red was deserved.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #58 July 10, 2006 QuoteQuoteHe said something after that encounter with Zidane, which I suppose put him over the top. You think the well known facist said something to the magrebian that put him over to top? Really? That being said, Zidane should have kept his cool. The red was deserved. I didn't know Materazzi is a fascist, let alone a well-known one...is that his reputation based on rumours or is that really true? According to this article, the comment Matrix made to Zidane wasn't racial in nature (not defending what he did or said, this is just what this article is reporting): QuoteSources in France say it is believed Materazzi insulted Zidane's family. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #59 July 10, 2006 Quoteit was a flagrant dive and a terrible call by a ref.... If it wasn't for that Spanish ref, the Italians may have never made it out of the quarter finals. ARGENTINIAN Referee! Same one as England Vs Portugal. Never the most pro-British choice of match official depending on their personal beliefs regarding "Malvinas" which remains an issue for many Argentinians, only exacerbated by recent history. That said, I really think Italy deserved to get through. The "best" football England played in the tournament was after Rooney & Beckham left the pitch... ANd that still wasn't anywhere near the Italian & German standards. I feel the final would have been a fine game were it to have been 1-0 to Italy after 90 minutes. No "Homage to Stuka GmBh by France, and no headbutt by Zidane (bear in mind he did manage to walk away... THEN turned & attacked). Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christelsabine 1 #60 July 10, 2006 Aaarghhh.... There are no fascists, just (well paid) soccer players doing their best to win - all teams are trying to cheat a bit - don't let it bother you. Italy is THE world champion and that's it. The best won! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!! The Azzurri were wonderful and many other matches were as well. The entire tournament was a big success with great fans, super nice weather and nearly no hooligans - that's a huge step, better than sabre-rattling, right? I enjoyed every single minute and so did hundreds of thousands here. We'll see us again in SA, Azzurri - be prepared! ! Christel dudeist skydiver # 3105 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #61 July 10, 2006 Quoteit was a flagrant dive and a terrible call by a ref.... If it wasn't for that Spanish ref, the Italians may have never made it out of the quarter finals. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARGENTINIAN Referee! Same one as England Vs Portugal. Uhmmm....the ref in the Italy vs. Australia game was: Luis Medina Cantalejo. He is from Spain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterblaster72 0 #62 July 11, 2006 Quote Aaarghhh.... There are no fascists, just (well paid) soccer players doing their best to win - all teams are trying to cheat a bit - don't let it bother you. Italy is THE world champion and that's it. The best won! CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!! The Azzurri were wonderful and many other matches were as well. The entire tournament was a big success with great fans, super nice weather and nearly no hooligans - that's a huge step, better than sabre-rattling, right? I enjoyed every single minute and so did hundreds of thousands here. We'll see us again in SA, Azzurri - be prepared! ! Christel Danke Christel. I think Germany will be an even stronger team next tournament...certainly a force to be reckoned with in Euro 2008. I'm hoping the Azzurri can win that one, so that we tie you for six major titles; right now we only have one Euro as opposed to your three. Deutschland were great hosts, as we were to your team in 1990. Good deal Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #63 July 13, 2006 QuoteBetter Italy vs France.hey they even did extra time, and PK's... (Pootang Kiss ??)scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
