Wow, what an end. We got one real goal from Italy - after Zidane hit a beautiful PK chip that brushed against the margin of error (or brushed perfection, whichever you prefer). The PK call was very questionable, but all was fair in the end, as a probably justified PK to France was ignored by the ref in the 2nd half. How did the Italian keeper stop that smashing header by Zidane in extra time!? That was the save of his life, tipped just over the bar.
France looked better in the 2nd half and extra time, but Italy hung in there and ended their PK curse (0-3 previously) and made their perfect 5 shots.
Zidane's headbutt! OMFG! It was like Greek Tradgedy. His last game, on the greatest stage, and he goes out like that!? Having read a lot of post-game coverage, I learn that he had done it before, and that his temper had always been an issue. Rumors so far: Materazzi called him a "terrorist" (Zidane is the child of Algerian immigrants to France and was always combative about racial remarks, having been harrassed a lot as a child apparently). On the other hand, Materazzi is known to be the best friend of an African player on his club team, and an easy-going liberal guy. Both he and Zidane dodged all press coverage after the match, and no teammate has enlightened us. The biggest item of interest remaining is "What did M say to provoke Z?" Bottom line is nothing can justify it, Z lost his head and blemished his legacy. It makes me very sad, even though I don't closely follow football. Seems to me any human being who watched the game and heard the coverage about how this was Zidane's last for France, would feel sad at that tragic end for him, his failure to overcome his own fatal flaw at the very last.
france was better overall, but italy took it home beautifully. zidane might have blown the entire show all by himself what a hot head. the face of pirlo prior to the penalty, now thats focus, respect and to some extent fear curled into one expression, enjoyable and scary at the same time.
i think i wont remember this championship with the same delight as i did previous, too few goals, too much hollywood, too many bookings, uneven refs etc and now 4 more years of waiting, how cruel that is at this moment. life during the championship is shaped according to the matches, results and expectations, there is no place left for normal life during these 4 weeks! ok, we got euro in 2 years, but how hot is that compared to the championship...
there were good things about the fest as well, i must not fail to mention: teutonic efficiency at a remarkable degree, good behaviour by fans and little to no violence such, and of course that EUROPE RULED this one
Wow, what an end. We got one real goal from Italy - after Zidane hit a beautiful PK chip that brushed against the margin of error (or brushed perfection, whichever you prefer). The PK call was very questionable, but all was fair in the end, as a probably justified PK to France was ignored by the ref in the 2nd half. How did the Italian keeper stop that smashing header by Zidane in extra time!? That was the save of his life, tipped just over the bar.
France looked better in the 2nd half and extra time, but Italy hung in there and ended their PK curse (0-3 previously) and made their perfect 5 shots.
Zidane's headbutt! OMFG! It was like Greek Tradgedy. His last game, on the greatest stage, and he goes out like that!? Having read a lot of post-game coverage, I learn that he had done it before, and that his temper had always been an issue. Rumors so far: Materazzi called him a "terrorist" (Zidane is the child of Algerian immigrants to France and was always combative about racial remarks, having been harrassed a lot as a child apparently). On the other hand, Materazzi is known to be the best friend of an African player on his club team, and an easy-going liberal guy. Both he and Zidane dodged all press coverage after the match, and no teammate has enlightened us. The biggest item of interest remaining is "What did M say to provoke Z?" Bottom line is nothing can justify it, Z lost his head and blemished his legacy. It makes me very sad, even though I don't closely follow football. Seems to me any human being who watched the game and heard the coverage about how this was Zidane's last for France, would feel sad at that tragic end for him, his failure to overcome his own fatal flaw at the very last.
Congrats to Italy. I enjoyed the Cup a lot.
H
Great commentary Homba!
I enjoyed this WC as well, and will wait impatiently for the next 4 weeks of madness!
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In August of 2004, Zappi, Homba, Bambam887, RedScorpion and MOOXE all pitched
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