World Cup 2006

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Originally posted by Brannick
And they had 10 at the time :) All the bookings were fair in that game, actually.

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No 'fin way. You don't get a straight red card for a tackle that was clearly going for the ball and was just a little late.

NEVER.

Even the super famous Italian coach they had on tv said the US got screwed.

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Originally posted by Brannick

But still it's a pity USA hadn't won that one, 'cause they just played better in the match.

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We have no superstars. It is a truism in sport that you need at least 1 superstar on your team to make the magic happen.

A solid team keeps you in the game for 85 of 90 minutes. A superstar wins it for you in those other 5.

I'm so dissapointed it's over. I've never watched the World Cup before from beginning to end like this, but living with a huge soccer fan I've had the choice of either learn to appreciate or be a widow when the games are on. And unlike other sports, that pretty much means all year considering how Europe and MLS stagger their seasons. Not to mention that this was a World Cup year.

Anyway, I've totally fallen in love. My father is a sports fanatic, so I have watched lots of sports growing up. But there really isn't much like this except the olympics, and even that is different because not everyone puts their all into the same sport. All of the players and fans are so passionate, and that makes it so exciting. So, it's kind of even more exciting to me to hear people say that as far as World Cups go, this one was lame, because I thought it was fabulous. That means the next one should be even better!

The last match was a bummer though. I don't like when things end in PK's because they get so random. And I didn't like watching Zidane go out like that either. I've been sad about it for days. What a horrible way for a career to end.

I'm excited for the next time though! The USA should be in a much better place! Gooch is going to England, where he'll get some good experience. And Freddy Adu will be ready to play! I love him! I'm going to miss seeing him in the stands in D.C., but it will be worth it when the World Cup comes around.

Can't Wait!

A note about Zidane, his "career" isn't over, he's just not playing for the French national team any more. He was retired from international play before this world cup run, and the French coach talked him out of retirement to make "one more run" at the World Cup, and for some reason he decided to. His contract with Real Madrid still has at least one more year on it, and as far as I've heard, he's still planning on finishing out the contract at the very least. I could be wrong, and would be more than interested to read an article on it, but it will be interesting to see what effect this World Cup has on the international soccer scene... what players end up jumping to what leagues, what teams spend a buttload of money on what superstars and all kinds of crazy things. There was talk beforehand of maybe one of the big MLS players (Donovan or McBride being the big two) being dragged off to the Primereship or the Spanish league, and also talk of Beckham coming over to play in the MLS (quite possibly for the LA Galaxy). So it'll be interesting to see I think, and who knows, maybe soccer will start getting more coverage here other than on specialized channels, it'd be nice to see.

Donovan, maybe. I'd single out Cherundolo as the one most to be bought fast - he played great, especially with Italy whose midfielders and defenders he's given quite a fair number of dribbles and just skipped past them with no effort. Same in the defense. Same as Lahm - both are what the wingers/defenders should be. Also there's already a big battle over Ribery, who's made quite a great impression in this tournament. Who else? Schweinsteiger looked good, but he's already in Bayern, so I don't think he'll move anytime soon.

As far as my team goes, one forward (Jeleñ) is at the vergeof signinga contract with Auxerre (a French first division team) and our second goalkeeper (Kuszczak, now in W.B.A. relegated to First english division) is said to be targeted by ManU. We'll see how it ends.

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Originally posted by Bael
A note about Zidane, his "career" isn't over, he's just not playing for the French national team any more.

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Zidane retired from Real Madrid before the World Cup even began. Real Madrid's website has articles on his last game and a tribite to him. He decided to retire before his contract ran out.

Here's an article on his last game.

Today he was asked if considering the circumstances he would at least consider playing club ball for a few more years. He said no.

This was it. That's why it's sad.

I don't find anything sad about a fucking bad sportsmanship cock sucker ending his career on a sour note - one that very well may have cost his country the World Cup.

Tough shit, frog. Work on your attitude.

It is a great lesson to everyone that saw the match.

About the only thing that could rival this would be Barry Bonds ending his career by charging the mound and getting beat down by Nolan Ryan... Robin Ventura style.

I'm not sure how comparable Zidane is to Barry Bonds, even if you don't like the French! He does have an impressive head, but there is no evidence that it isn't that way just naturally.

There are lots of people who share your opinion. And I certainly don't condone violence by any means, even when your family is insulted. It's always better to walk away than to retaliate like that, whether you are playing in a sport or not. I just wished it had ended differently.

And speaking of violence and whining...it looks like Christiano Ronaldo is going to have to keep playing with Wayne Rooney in England after trying to go to Spain to flee the expected booing and jeering from English fans. Poor baby. At least he doesn't have to worry about Rooney stepping on HIS crotch since they'll stay on the same team.

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Originally posted by Cyrinne
At least he doesn't have to worry about Rooney stepping on HIS crotch since they'll stay on the same team.

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Well... You know, Rooney IS a bad cockney (at least sounds like one ;) ) boy from the Liverpool streets and he's proven more than once that he is capable of some quite nasty tricks. So... I'd still be on my toes if I was Christiano R. ;)

Germany impressed the hell out of me this WC.
France did as well to be quite honest.. Aside from the Championship game.

Brazil was a touch dissapointing, but whatever, last world cup they fell before the finish line after playing some nice football as well.

Italy sucked.. I mean, two crunch games, won 1 - 0 by taking a dive or talking shit to a guy who doesn't care about his career, nice way to win there guys. In fact the France vs Italy game was the worst 'money' game I have seen in a while. Sportsmanship was no where near that field that day.

As for Australia, brave effort, did better than I thought they would. I expected them to get belted by Japan, and they did.. at least until heat exhaustion set in.

Hopefully we are back to more sanity and solid football next world cup.. But Germany by all means, play Klinsmann football, screw that 'Great Wall of Germany' game.. it's boring.

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Originally posted by Brannick
Well... You know, Rooney IS a bad cockney (at least sounds like one ;) ) boy from the Liverpool streets and he's proven more than once that he is capable of some quite nasty tricks. So... I'd still be on my toes if I was Christiano R. ;)

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Hah! Good. Man, I did not like him. There was lots of diving and whining during this cup, but he was the KING. It seems like every picture on the FIFA site that he happens to be in shows him with his mouth wide open, whining to the ref about something. Maybe Rooney, or another English player who is pissy about how he handled the match between them will give him something to really whine about.