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[Frozen]

Originally Posted by Harry

Like Aubrey said so well, Italy plays a kind of soccer that is not as spectacular as the one of other national teams; as a matter of fact, regardless of the fact the Seria A teams show all kinds of schemes and tactics, whenever Italian players play in the national team they go back to the way of playing soccer we have been used to for dozens of years. The way Italy plays soccer today is very similar to way most European teams played in the past. Yes, it may not look nice, but Italy is one of the few true teams in the whole championships.

They played great soccer in the latest two games; today Germany managed to find just one real chance to score a goal to Italy - they really played a bad match. Italy was unlucky not to score 4 instead than just 2 goals today.

Germany really played a shit game today. We did play a shit game with United States and Australia as well, but when a team reaches the final in a World Cup, you can't really talk about luck or bad soccer. Luck can last a few matches, not a whole championship - especially when a team wins a game like the one we won today, against the home team, one of the favorites of the whole championship, in a stadium filled with 60,000 Germany supporters.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy that Italy gets a chance to win thier 4th cup, they were my preference after Germany and Spain, they have always been one of my favorite teams and I believe I've said it before, but remembering the way they beat Australia upsets me that if it hadn't been for that they would not have made it this far, let alone kick Germany out of thir chance of winning a 4th cup.

Both teams played shit games tonight, Italy got about 11 corner kicks throughout the game but I saw more shots thrown directly at their gaol (horrible shooting the germans did though, only one shot looked truly menacing at the end of the first half) but when I saw that the ball hit the post twice, I knew Italy was going to win. (like you said, lucky germany that didn't get 4-0) If they had gone to penalty kicks, victory would be granted for Germany.

Originally Posted by Panuru

Germany deserved to lose. It's the adequate punishment for not letting Kahn play. He's doing advertising campaigns now, with lots of benches, sighing words as "on the bench, life is best"... the poor man

LOL

Did you see the "lick it up" video?

[Berserker]

First of all, Panuru Kahn isn't a "poor man" he deserves what he gets(and a lot more IMO). He's been clowning around with his big mouth and annoying people long enough it's time to retire old man!

Italy deserved to win, right from the start. They were the better side all along, dominated the first half let the germans play their game more the second half. Lippi even made some risky(un-italian) decisions by bringing in an extra striker and bringing in Del Piero for a more defensive midfielder, that way he went straight for the win mad respect for that. I hope they win the cup, they're gonna need it cause the day after the final the verdict on the bribing-case will be heard.

[Pu the Owl]

Originally Posted by Berserker

First of all, Panuru Kahn isn't a "poor man" he deserves what he gets(and a lot more IMO). He's been clowning around with his big mouth and annoying people long enough it's time to retire old man!

He he, ok, but mine was only kind of a joke, really. Nobody who's a professional player can really be a "poor" man, in any case

[Harry]

Originally Posted by Berserker

I hope they win the cup, they're gonna need it cause the day after the final the verdict on the bribing-case will be heard.

So true. Actually, I never cared about league football or football in general; usually, I watch footbal matches only during World Cup tournaments. Anyhow, it was time to clean up the mess and start anew. There have always been rumors about Juventus and Milan's management teams bribing referees.

Originally Posted by Frozen

Don't get me wrong, I am happy that Italy gets a chance to win thier 4th cup, they were my preference after Germany and Spain, they have always been one of my favorite teams and I believe I've said it before, but remembering the way they beat Australia upsets me that if it hadn't been for that they would not have made it this far, let alone kick Germany out of thir chance of winning a 4th cup.

I know, I know Just keep in mind that penalty kicks are part of the game. I liked Australia; they played well, in my opinion, but they were rarely able to create true chances. With just ten men, and lower ball possession, Italy (that played an awful match) created some chances to score. What I mean is, I really doubt Australian players would have been able to score a goal... they really seemed hopeless in front of Cannavaro and Buffon, like most of the teams Italy has faced in this World Cup. But I understand that discussing about it after what has happened is quite meaningless, and I understand that going out of a World Cup because of a last minute penalty kick is awful.

[Pu the Owl]

Every team experiences the unfairness of penalty kicks, and especially when they're last minute, it always gives you the impression the final result is somewhat spoiled. This time it happened to Australia, another time it's another. It also happened to Italy, in the past World Cups.

[Hylas]

France is in final now. So, let's think about serious matters:

who's gonna wear blue on Sunday?

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by Panuru

Every team experiences the unfairness of penalty kicks, and especially when they're last minute, it always gives you the impression the final result is somewhat spoiled. This time it happened to Australia, another time it's another. It also happened to Italy, in the past World Cups.

Yeah but with Italy it has been more a failure at scoring the penalty kicks, the deal with Australia was...

Referee: Here, Italy, have a pk and win the match.

Italy: Okeeeeeeeeeee

Australia: F !

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by Frozen

Yeah but with Italy it has been more a failure at scoring the penalty kicks, the deal with Australia was...

Referee: Here, Italy, have a pk and win the match.

Italy: Okeeeeeeeeeee

Australia: F !

Like Harry said it's all in the game, all I can say is it's a bit naive of the australian defender to make such a tackle in the box like that he should have know what a cunning striker can do with such a oportunity. It's not thet australia get D&^^$# by the ref but the ref was fooled by the cleverness of the italian forward. Anyways in football it's quite a normal practice, better get used to it.

[Zebraman]

My mistake, at the beginning of the thread I said I was sure there wasn't going to be a Brazil-Italy final, and it was because I thought Italy was not good enough to reach he final France hasn't impressed me much, apart from Zidane in a couple of occasions. Yesterday's match against Portugal was slow and uninspired. The match ended when France scored thanks to the penalty. After that nothing really happened. Ok, Portugal did try to score in the last minutes. Nothing great. I think Germany-Italy was the best match of the tournament.

Who do you think is going to win the Golden Ball?

Here's the list of nominees:
Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Maniche (Portugal), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Thierry Henry (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Patrick Vieira (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Zinedine Zidane (France).

[Berserker]

If it was up to me I would say Cannavaro, that man's a beast! Really impressive the way he defends and sets up attacks.

[Pu the Owl]

Zidane is pure class, and he's going to retire after the WC. Cannavaro is another option, or Buffon, who's currently trying to beat the record as the goalkeeper with most minutes unbeaten.

[Frozen]

What a great match Germany-Portugal was.

@ Schweinsteiger for his two swerving goals. Definitely among the best 5 goals in this World cup, what I really liked was that I already knew he was going to scorehis second goal when he basically did the same maneuver at a very similar angle, but the second goal swerved even more and went straight to the farthest left side. An amazing way to end the World cup for him, although it is my understanding that he's just gotten started.

In the other hand, I feel for Pettit... as if losing isn't frsutrating enough, I believe that a score in own goal is the worst thing that can happen to any soccer player.

I hope the finals are great tomorrow.

[Redpyramidhead]

Originally Posted by Frozen

What a great match Germany-Portugal was.

I believe that a score in own goal is the worst thing that can happen to any soccer player.

I can actually think of a way it could be worse... if you recall world cup 94...

_RED_ stuff

[Harry]

Italy wins! And they deserved it, for many, many reasons! I am really not a soccer fan, but they stole my heart in this World Cup! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

[Frozen]

Originally Posted by Redpyramidhead

I can actually think of a way it could be worse... if you recall world cup 94...

_RED_ stuff

What I meant was as far as the action goes in the match. What happened then was a horrible crime, I remember I cried a lot when I heard the news, Andres was one of the best defenses ever known in a soccer team, and a gentleman in and outside the field. May he rest in peace.

Originally Posted by Harry

Italy wins! And they deserved it, for many, many reasons! I am really not a soccer fan, but they stole my heart in this World Cup! Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Ciao, Harry and Panuru,

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I was afraid that the match was going to be resolved at PK, Italy finally destroyed their bad strike of luck at the shootouts! All the penalty kicks were shot with finesse, during the game the goals were awsome, although the best one was Zidane's. This match made me very happy.

But I have to say, it could have been WAAAAY happier. Zidane really surprised me, and I am very sad for him, a decision made out of anger made him finish his career on a bad note, he did not even get to go to the ceremony I have to say, that France played a great match, and I have a higher respect for this team, for which I never really cared for.

Italy is my next World Cup favorite, not because they are the new champions, but because they are the only team with 4 World Cups, so they need one more to get even with Brazil. And then for a bloody Shodown towards the 6th cup

[Pu the Owl]

Originally Posted by Frozen

But I have to say, it could have been WAAAAY happier. Zidane really surprised me, and I am very sad for him, a decision made out of anger made him finish his career on a bad note, he did not even get to go to the ceremony I have to say, that France played a great match, and I have a higher respect for this team, for which I never really cared for.

I am quite surprised, too. Nobody was expecting that from a player like Zidane. Whatever the reason, it's something that should not happen in such competitions, and honestly it was a very violent and absurd action in general, there's no way you can justify it. Ending a brilliant career like Zidane's like that is a shame

PS: had too much ice-cream to celebrate and now my belly feels funny

[Harry]

France really played a great match, especially in the second half of the game. As Panuru said just a few posts above, we all really admired Zidane for what he did in this World Cup, and I really cannot imagine what kind of insult has the power to trigger that kind of violence in a World Cup final. Probably he was just very, very tired - but it's indeed a very sad way to end a career.

I agree, it's a shame the match ended at penalty shootouts... but thankfully we were more lucky this time!

It's amazing how almost every single match Italy plays is filled with unusual drama, but that's a very Italian thing. We seem to like drama. This match, like the rest of the World Cup was really a great adventure. And with all the disgustingly dirty problems we have in Italy, God knows this country needed this victory. It's just football, but it's something important for the people.

[Vic Viper]

Shootouts should not be the way to determine a winner in a game like this, especially when the team who played much better loses.

oh well, congrats to Italy. Harry and Panuru enjoy your victory.

USA in 2010 ftw !!!!!!

[Harry]

Your opinion Vic (shared by some international journalists)

Italy played much better in the first half, with 70% ball possession. France played much better in the second half. So, I think they could be considered even if only France had been able to score a single goal during normal gameplay against Italy. On the other hand, Italy scored one goal, and another one that was very close to be valid. Then why was France better? France might have played the soccer that looked cooler, but they really weren't the best team on the field. And I didn't even mention the attitude of the two teams - Italians were enthusiast and joyful during the game; as much as I liked them (and their wonderful country), French were rather "macabre".

[Bogart]

GO ITALY!

Great match, full of drama as people said! Whether his reasons, Zidane's act was unbelievable, and really really foolish when we consider the recent explosion of violence in France. Zidane is the Hero of people living in the poorest banlieus in France, so what he did was careless, selfish, inexcusable. If you read my previous posts, I said I liked France, but if we look at the latest two matches, the most important in the whole tournament, they have only scored on penalties. They played smart soccer throughout the World Cup, much more than Italy did. Oh, and the goal against Brazil was a free kick taken by Zidane and scored from really close range by Henry (but Zidane was amazing in that match, a real hero!). And now that I think about it, nobody, in the whole tournament, was able to score a goal against Buffon outside penalty kicks! Outstanding! In this match, overall ball possession was 51% Italy - 49% France.

All things considered, I believe some (like that stupid Fox Sports guy) think Italy didn't play as good as France did simply because they did more teamwork and less wizardry (but France's wizardry was hardly really profitable to the team). Is Italy a communist team? All in all, I am just sad the World Cup has come to an end, but I am happy with the results! Thanks Italy, Ghana, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador,France and all the teams that made me enjoy these evenings!