World Cup 2006 in Germany

[ALPiNe]

OK, this whole month long episode of 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ has been an exciting, finger-biting, heart-wrenching, entertaining, humourous, emotional experience all rolled into one, that one do not know whether to laugh or to cry by the end of it. To fast forward the events, let’s take a microscopic close up view of the Final match between Italy and France right down to the 111th minute in the second half of extra time. An iron monk head suddenly struck the chest of Italian defender Marco Materazzi with an aggressive force that sent the player crashing to the ground. And there after came that red shame. It was Zidane. But why? Sources have it that he was provoked by Materazzi who passed him racist remarks, and he lost control. But this is just one side of the coin. So what’s on the flip side? Almost couldn’t believe my ears when I first heard it from someone, so I tuned in to the repeat footage to have a second look. Zooming in closer, there it was with Materazzi running towards and stretching his left hand around from behind Zidane, and pinching his nipple, as they were alongside the far edge of the field. Despicably childish and stupid, but a sure effective way to get Zidane’s temper all fired up. The result? A violent headbutt from Zidane centred on Materazzi’s chest, aimed slightly towards the left where you know… It’s a tit-for-tat sort of thing. (Yes, yes, I can hear calls for the footage to be put up in YouTube.com. Unfortunately, I do not have a recording of it.)

Zidane, for all his widely acclaimed balletic moves and technical skills, for his creative ability to fake passes that cunningly send his opponents running in the wrong direction, and for his goal scoring talents which brought France right into the Finals, it was a real shame for him to react in the way he did, a shame for him to be sent off the way he was, and a shame for him to end his brilliant career in the manner that had cost France their golden trophy. As if an exact blueprint of the Rooney incident, history repeats itself time and again. If anti-temper incense sticks were needed to do wonders in smoking out the fire in Rooney, Zidane should be part of that waiting list too.

Ironically, all is not lost for the heavy head. Awarded with the Adidas Golden Ball Award for being the best player in the whole tournament, for all that he had given to France ever since winning the 1998 World Cup with his two headed goals that trashed Brazil 3-0 in the final, and for his formidable skills and talents, Zidane certainly deserves the award.

Although Italy truly deserved to win the World Cup trophy too, with their strong and tight tactical defense brick-walled with skillful individuals like Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Pirlo, they had also but broken down the rules of professional football and instead, left in its place a gapping loophole which showed all too evidently their lack of true sportsmanship.


- ALPiNe

[HoO_Germany]

Hi ALPiNe

well, the games are out, Italy is now World Champion 2006. First my congrats to the Italian Team.

About the image we made in the world, for us this is a very lucky moment, why the world could see, the germans can laugh, cry, be happy and emotional, but also they are helpfull and friendly.

What about the 111 min in the last game was, you´re right, Zidane lost his well name. In the first moment what he done is not "sportslike" and this is not a kind to be, of a person who is well known as a "sportsman of the year".
So I can not tell, his reaction of the happening there was right. But today, 2 day after this game, speculations are loud, that Materazzi has told very bad words against Zidane and his family, especial against his mother. So I don´t know if this is trueth, even then the iron headbutt is not right. But if this is trueth, Materazzi is also an unsportly fellow.

But this is now fergotten, the Championsip is over, the next one, we will be Champions....

[river]

But this is now fergotten, the Championsip is over, the next one, ....

mistake done, correction none, history ignored, the next one same.

To me, Zidane is a legend, a man with courage, skill and the feeling which make him more humane. Unfortunately, feeling that make this world a better place to live is a weakness in the game. If he does not love his family his people his country that much, would he be so mad??

[ALPiNe]

Hi Robert,

But this is now fergotten, the Championsip is over, the next one, we will be Champions....

Absolutely. And Germany's soccer team has just won another loyal supporter!
Though, from what I have seen and heard of the World Cup 2006 so far, I think you guys are already Champions in the global stage!


Deutschland gewinnt!!!


Cheers,
- ALPiNe

[weixing]

Hi,

Materazzi has told very bad words against Zidane and his family, especial against his mother. So I don´t know if this is trueth, even then the iron headbutt is not right.

I just wonder if one day Zidane tell us that Materazzi said very bad thing about him, his family or whatever that make him do what he did on that day, but if Materazzi deny it... So who we believe?? Zidane or Materazzi??

But if this is trueth, Materazzi is also an unsportly fellow

IMHO, nearly all soccer players are un-sportsmanship in one way or another... In order to earn free kicks, penalty kicks, waste time, an edge over his opponents or even let his opponents get booked, they do a lots of "thing", below are some example:
1) Sometime they dive (or now they call it as simulation) when their opponent accidentally touch or didn't even touch them,
2) Sometime they fall to ground holding their face and roll around when their opponent accidentally touch or didn't even touch them,
3) Sometime they fall to ground holding their right leg and roll around when opponent accidentally kick on their left leg or didn't even touch them,
4) Sometime they deliberately elbow their opponent,
5) Sometime they deliberately step on their opponent,
6) Sometime they deliberately trip their opponent and etc etc

The most "funny" part is that when a player "dive" or play "acting" and earn a free kick, penalty kick or let his opponent get a booking, the player team fans will not said anything and the opponent team fans will scold and curse the referees (at least at that moment), but most of the time nobody seem to condemn the player and such behaviour... so are we, the fans, encouraging such un-sportsmanship behaviour??

Anyway, that's why I called the World Cup the Academy Awards of soccer... the highest award celebrating wonderful soccer skills, team work and "acting"... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

[HoO_Germany]

But this is now fergotten, the Championsip is over, the next one, ....

mistake done, correction none, history ignored, the next one same.

To me, Zidane is a legend, a man with courage, skill and the feeling which make him more humane. Unfortunately, feeling that make this world a better place to live is a weakness in the game. If he does not love his family his people his country that much, would he be so mad??

Hi river

I can´t follow you...

[HoO_Germany]

Hi,

Materazzi has told very bad words against Zidane and his family, especial against his mother. So I don´t know if this is trueth, even then the iron headbutt is not right.

I just wonder if one day Zidane tell us that Materazzi said very bad thing about him, his family or whatever that make him do what he did on that day, but if Materazzi deny it... So who we believe?? Zidane or Materazzi??

But if this is trueth, Materazzi is also an unsportly fellow

IMHO, nearly all soccer players are un-sportsmanship in one way or another... In order to earn free kicks, penalty kicks, waste time, an edge over his opponents or even let his opponents get booked, they do a lots of "thing", below are some example:
1) Sometime they dive (or now they call it as simulation) when their opponent accidentally touch or didn't even touch them,
2) Sometime they fall to ground holding their face and roll around when their opponent accidentally touch or didn't even touch them,
3) Sometime they fall to ground holding their right leg and roll around when opponent accidentally kick on their left leg or didn't even touch them,
4) Sometime they deliberately elbow their opponent,
5) Sometime they deliberately step on their opponent,
6) Sometime they deliberately trip their opponent and etc etc

The most "funny" part is that when a player "dive" or play "acting" and earn a free kick, penalty kick or let his opponent get a booking, the player team fans will not said anything and the opponent team fans will scold and curse the referees (at least at that moment), but most of the time nobody seem to condemn the player and such behaviour... so are we, the fans, encouraging such un-sportsmanship behaviour??

Anyway, that's why I called the World Cup the Academy Awards of soccer... the highest award celebrating wonderful soccer skills, team work and "acting"... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

Hi

Materazzi told allready he insulted Zidane, but he didn´t tell, what he told 8-) .
In the other part of playing soccer, I agree with you in some details, when you tell about "diving or simulating . This kind of soccer is the one it makes me to push the button... tv out 8-) .

And ofcourse, much of the teams did this "hobby" but this only disclassified them. Teams who really can play soccer, don´t need such tricks.

[Jingguo]

i must say this WC final is quite a memorable one. i heard from some online soccer writer that its destiny that Italy to win the WC. they win the cup every 12 years. Back at 1982, Italy won in and there was a football scandal back in italy which strangely all these happen again this yr. anyway its good to see so many on field incidents than out field ones like fan violents etc. mainy because the english went out during the quater final. i remember a football legend once said this " Football is matter of more than life and death". how true it is. and lastly Germany 2006 present their football tagline well to the rest of the world. "TIME TO MAKE FRIENDS". the world cup show a different side of Germany. Well done Germany

[ALPiNe]

And ofcourse, much of the teams did this "hobby" but this only disclassified them. Teams who really can play soccer, don´t need such tricks.

Well said! *Applause* 8-)


Cheers,
- ALPiNe

[ALPiNe]

Hi Jingguo,

Not sure if you are referring to this quotation, but anyway here it goes:

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." - Bill Shankly


Cheers,
- ALPiNe