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[Manics]

Btw, what happened to Forza? I thought he would have been in here demanding all kinds of ball washing after Italy won yesterday?

He's probably hung over like a bastard. I imagine he partied well into the night last night. I had to drive my wife and daughter back home safely from my mom's place last night so no late night festivities for me.

 

[Manics]

There never was an aura of invincibility. They were favorites this cup because they had an incredible team on paper and were defending champs. Just like France were in 2002. And Brasil again in 98. Obviously being pre-tournament favorites means very little. Also, it takes something special to win in Europe as a non-european team. The only time a non-european team won in Europe was when Pele and Garrincha, the two greatest football geniuses of all time, played on the same team. At the same time though, no Euro team has ever won a Cup outside Europe. If history continues to repeat itself as it has up to now in World Cups, the next two cups will go to either Argentina or Brasil.

There's also only ever been 7 countries to win the World Cup, so who's to say? It would be refreshing to see a team outside of Europe or South America win it. I think Africa might produce such a nation.

 

[bionic77]

There never was an aura of invincibility. They were favorites this cup because they had an incredible team on paper and were defending champs. Just like France were in 2002. And Brasil again in 98. Obviously being pre-tournament favorites means very little. Also, it takes something special to win in Europe as a non-european team. The only time a non-european team won in Europe was when Pele and Garrincha, the two greatest football geniuses of all time, played on the same team. At the same time though, no Euro team has ever won a Cup outside Europe. If history continues to repeat itself as it has up to now in World Cups, the next two cups will go to either Argentina or Brasil.

Eh I felt Brazil did have an aura around them for the last 12 years as being far and above the rest of the world. Maybe that was just me.

We obviously have some very different thoughts about football though after seeing who you think are hte greatest football geniuses of all time.

 

[RaijinFY]

http://zidanewantscandy.ytmnd.com/

:lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Manics]

http://zidanewantscandy.ytmnd.com/

:lol :lol :lol :lol

Wow, that's a good one. :lol

 

[paul777]

There's also only ever been 7 countries to win the World Cup, so who's to say? It would be refreshing to see a team outside of Europe or South America win it. I think Africa might produce such a nation.

I think the next nation to join that club will be the Netherlands. Certainly not a traditionless african team. Winning in the World Cup isn't just about a good team in good form at the right time. It's the triumph of a nation's footballing tradition and school. Once an African nation gets its own Cruyff or Platini generation then some time after that they might win something.

 

[Manics]

Materazzi has denied that he called Zidane a terrorist

http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/article.aspx?hlid=402163&CPID=4&clid=119&lid=4161&title=Materazzi+denies+Zidane+jibe

that made me laugh. How the **** can you not know what terrorist means :lol

I heard a different version of Materazzi's quote to the press. He said:

"It is absolutely not true, I didn't call him a terrorist, I don't know anything about that"

 

[celestial body]

Okay there are supposed to be half a million people in and around the circo massimo.

ALso on the coach on the way to the airport the Italian players chanted "Marcello, resta con noi", Marcello stay with us. I hope he does guide us through the Euros..

 

[Logan Cano]

I heard a different version of Materazzi's quote to the press. He said:

"It is absolutely not true, I didn't call him a terrorist, I don't know anything about that"

I think that might be the correct one. Afterall, who doesn´t know what terrorist means??

 

[ijm72]

Another hilarious gif

 

[bionic77]

In one respect you have to feel good for the Italian players. They did the one and only thing that is going to make people forget about the possible punishments coming their way in league play.

 

[Il Comodino]

OMG

GUYS, Cicus Maximus is FULL

more of 1.500.000 of people betwin it.

I'm CRY....I want to go in ROME


CAMPIONI DEL MONDO

 

[+Aliken+]

 

[dreamkats]

are there any french team haters remaining here?

 

[ForzaItalia]

Btw, what happened to Forza? I thought he would have been in here demanding all kinds of ball washing after Italy won yesterday?

Pointless man. The hate is just too absurd....

 

[Il Comodino]

FANTASTIC

CHI NON SALTA é UN FRANCESE EH EH CHI NON SALTA é UN FRANCESE EH EH !!!!!!!!

:lol



javascript:mediacenter('http://mediacenter.corriere.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=50f9c9ae-1050-11db-9111-0003ba99c667');

 

[eso76]

: \ i now started feeling sad for Zidane for no apparent reason.
he kept too calm and silent during the whole match, during all matches in fact. He didn't unload his tension once, he just bursted at last, i guess.


Comodino, sei di FI ?
Siena...

 

[MrSardonic]

Zidane was greeted like the legend he is when he returned to France! Still, contragulations to Italy and Lippi (good guy)...it is important for the country given its current situation (even more than for the French I think). Enjoy these times guys

it was ok for totti to spit at another player

not if there was no deserving provokation

for beckham to stick his middle finger up at the crowd

yes of course

for adriano to punch someone in the face

not if there was no deserving provokation

for rooney to say "**** off" to the ref after every decision going against him

no

and for cantona to kick someone in the crowd?

given what they guy said to him, I have utter sympathy with cantona...and so do most people looking back.

if you really feel the need to kick someone's ass because of something he said you're just a very simple mind who isn't smart enough to think of a humiliating reply and need to resort to using the force.

if someone can't handle the consequences of their disgraceful comments then they shouldnt be saying them.

The lip readers might have gotten the word correct but Materazzi was probably referring to Henry when he said Zidane was brother to a bitch. :lol

why is that funny?

 

[+Aliken+]

give up let us celebrate.

 

[polluar]

what did he say to zidane ?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2slJ9CBnk0&search=zidane


I think that's clear, he told him something

 

[+Aliken+]

 

[eso76]

if someone can't handle the consequences of their disgraceful comments then they shouldnt be saying them.

in that case the only one who couldn't handle the consequences was Zidane, though.
Materazzi definately isn't afraid of starting a fight
But enough about Zidane; such apparently calm persons are bound to explode sometimes, eventually. It just happened at the wrong moment and i feel sorry for him.
I'm glad he was awarded 'best player' of the WC, this episode will soon be forgotten and he'll deservingly have a bright place in the history of football.

 

[+Aliken+]

Campioni del Mondo

 

[FightyF]

That is bullshit, too.

How did they not earn that title? Did they just lay down and die in that second half? Hell no. Their defense was pushing aside chances by France nearly every second of that second half.

Buffon's save on Zidane's header alone earned them that title.

No, that earned them a tie.

Tell me, how does a shootout determine the better TEAM?

 

[Kroole]

No, that earned them a tie.

Tell me, how does a shootout determine the better TEAM?

It doesn't but what can you do?

Before shoot-outs occur (most of) the players have been playing for over 120 minutes. If you want to let the game continue after that it's more of an endurance game than real football. 90 minutes are usually enough for players gettings cramps and what not.

 

[bionic77]

It doesn't but what can you do?

Before shoot-outs occur (most of) the players have been playing for over 120 minutes. If you want to let the game continue after that it's more of an endurance game than real football. 90 minutes are usually enough for players gettings cramps and what not.

Well personally I would rather it come down to endurance and heart instead of penalty kicks. I can see why some people would prefer PKs though. I just hate seeing a big game being decided that way. Imagine if a basketball game was tied at the end and it came down to a free throw shooting contest.

Of course none of this would be an issue if Italy or France would have scored another goal. Hopefully this isn't as big of a problem at the next World Cup.

 

[Kroole]

Well personally I would rather it come down to endurance and heart instead of penalty kicks. I can see why some people would prefer PKs though. I just hate seeing a big game being decided that way. Imagine if a basketball game was tied at the end and it came down to a free throw shooting contest.

Of course none of this would be an issue if Italy or France would have scored another goal. Hopefully this isn't as big of a problem at the next World Cup.

I see what you mean but on the other hand, it takes some skill as a team to nail those 5 penalties in a WC final and for a person to take on a penalty knowing that you'll either be blamed or become a hero is quite something. Talk about heart and to me that's football

 

[Outdoor Miner]

There's also only ever been 7 countries to win the World Cup, so who's to say? It would be refreshing to see a team outside of Europe or South America win it. I think Africa might produce such a nation.

Mexico in 2010. Believe.

 

[+Aliken+]

Those are the rules of the game, you can debate as much as you want about possible improvements.

Many have tried, we passed to golden goals then silver goals and at the end we're back to square one. At the end if there is a tie anyway you must decied a winner. How do you do that? on goal chance?

In 1994 we lost the world cup final on penalties and we suffered. This time we won scoring all 5.

Gets congratualate us on this victory.

 

[bionic77]

Those are the rules of the game, you can debate as much as you want about possible improvements.

Many have tried, we passed to golden goals then silver goals and at the end we're back to square one. At the end if there is a tie anyway you must decied a winner. How do you do that? on goal chance?

In 1994 we lost the world cup final on penalties and we suffered. This time we won scoring all 5.

Gets congratualate us on this victory.

I am not saying Italy didn't win or doesn't deserve congratulations I just hate the format. I did feel France was the better team, but Italy won by heart (just like Germany did against Argentina) and I always applaud that kind of effort and nerve. I simply find it a horrible way to end the game. I hated the format in 1994 when Brazil beat Italy in PKs and I continue to hate it today. You are an Italian fan so you wouldn't care no matter how Italy won. But I was watching the game in hopes of seeing great soccer and I personally feel that PKs are both boring and unsatisfying.

I am not here as an Italian hater trying to put some negative light on your victory, I just hate seeing a big match end on penalties.

 

[Holtz]

:lol :lol :lol
It goes even better with FF IX music:
http://zidanedamage.ytmnd.com/

 

[kallisto76]

and yesterday 1+ million people celebrated their champions and their vitory (of course it is a victory for ALL of us italians, not only for the players).

We italians know how to celebrate a victory!! i live in Rome and yesterday i went to this great event, i will always remember this as one of the happiest days in my life!!
GRAZIE AZZURRI PER AVERCI REGALATO QUESTI MOMENTI INDIMENTICABILI!!!Dajeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[bud]

italy haters might rejoice this wednesday.

 

[Manics]

italy haters might rejoice this wednesday.

Why will they revoke the World Cup? :lol

 

[IanZ]

The flag on that bus is missing one star.

 

[psycho_snake]

Materazzi admits insulting Zidane, but he still says that he never said anything racial.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373706&cc=4716

Materazzi, 32, told Gazetta dello Sport: 'I held his shirt for a few seconds only, then he turned to me and talked to me, jeering.

'He looked at me with a huge arrogance and said, `If you really want my shirt I'll give it to you afterwards'. I replied with an insult, that's true.'

Materazzi has not elaborated on what he did say, but one report suggested he responded with: `I'd rather take the shirt off your wife'.

He has denied, however, some of the more vile insults referring to his wife or sister or calling him a terrorist.

'It was one of those insults you're told dozens of times and that you often let fall on a pitch,' Materazzi said.

'I did not call him a terrorist. I am not a cultured person and I don't even know what as Islamist terrorist is.'

He added: 'For me the mother is sacred, you know that.'

Fifa are going to investigate the situation. If something racial has been said Materazzi could find himself banned for several matches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm

 

[Funky Papa]

Sports threads ranking:

FWC: 245 pages
MLB: 151 pages
NHL: 26 pages
NFL: 129 pages
NBA: 24 pages

Soccer reigns supreme. SUCK IT DOWN, HATERS

 

[Meier]

ROLL WITH ITALY
WORLD CUP FINAL ITALY v FRANCE, TOMORROW, KICK-OFF 7PM

OASIS star Noel Gallagher will be Alessandro Del Piero's lucky mascot for the World Cup Final against France in Berlin.

Gallagher is friends with the Italian striker and has been asked by Del Piero to turn up to the final in exactly the same clothes he was wearing for the semi-final against Germany. The Oasis songwriter said: "Before the game we went to the hotel and Del Piero was a bit upset because he wasn't starting but he said, 'I'm going to come off the bench and score'.

"After the game he said I'd become his lucky mascot so I've got to go to the final and wear the exact same clothes to bring him good luck.

"So I'll be wearing a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans and trainers."

Gallagher, whose hits include Wonderwall and Stand By Me, was left stunned by the semi-final and added: "If I never see another game, that will do for me."

Looks like it paid off.

 

[bionic77]

Materazzi admits insulting Zidane, but he still says that he never said anything racial.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373706&cc=4716





Fifa are going to investigate the situation. If something racial has been said Materazzi could find himself banned for several matches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5169342.stm

I think Materazzi wouldn't mind even a one year ban if his goading helped Italy win the World Cup. No matter what he said or did he will be a hero in Italy. Most players would take that ban in a second if it meant World Cup glory. The guy can just stay in the Italian leagues for life and he doesn't have to worry about the consequences.

 

[Manics]

I think Materazzi wouldn't mind even a one year ban if his goading helped Italy win the World Cup. No matter what he said or did he will be a hero in Italy. Most players would take that ban in a second if it meant World Cup glory. The guy can just stay in the Italian leagues for life and he doesn't have to worry about the consequences.

Materazzi is an all-time Italian hero now up there with the likes of Paolo Rossi. Guy can walk down the streets in Italy and be treated like a king.

 

[Meier]

:lol Not the best quality in the world, but it made me laugh.

This one is great too.

 

[psycho_snake]

Materazzi is an all-time Italian hero now up there with the likes of Paolo Rossi. Guy can walk down the streets in Italy and be treated like a king.

He doesnt deserve it. Sure he may have scored 2 goals and he was an important part of the team, but he's a dirty son of a bithc who lacks respect to others.

 

[MrSardonic]

Materazzi is an all-time Italian hero now up there with the likes of Paolo Rossi. Guy can walk down the streets in Italy and be treated like a king.

:lol the guy is nothing more than a bog-standard player with a poor reputation. There are more worthy players in your team that deserve true respect.

 

[Manics]

:lol the guy is nothing more than a bog-standard player with a poor reputation. There are more worthy players in your team that deserve true respect.

He replaced Nesta which everyone thought would be the downfall of Italy, scored 2 huge goals for Italy and caused Zidane to get red-carded. That's a hero's performance and he's known as a huge factor in Italy's world championship.

 

[psycho_snake]

He replaced Nesta which everyone thought would be the downfall of Italy, scored 2 huge goals for Italy and caused Zidane to get red-carded. That's a hero's performance and he's known as a huge factor in Italy's world championship.

He played well, there is no doubting that. I think he surpassed everyone's expectations and emerged as one of Italy's best performers. That doesnt make him a good sportsman though. I'll hold my judgement on him until we find out what he really said. If it was just a normal jibe, then he shouldnt be labelled as a bad person becasue it happenbs all the time, but if he did say something racial than he is a bastard.

 

[Manics]

My ego? In a forum? What a joke:lol

Have fun before the 9th, cause Italy will lose, and France will win.

Been in hiding for 5 days now jGuru? :lol

 

[Slurpy]

He replaced Nesta which everyone thought would be the downfall of Italy, scored 2 huge goals for Italy and caused Zidane to get red-carded. That's a hero's performance and he's known as a huge factor in Italy's world championship.

Provoking Zidane and getting him a red card makes him a hero? Wow. I guess I look at the wrong things when quantifying soccer greatness.

 

[Dinamidante™]

FORZA ITALIA!

 

[psycho_snake]

Provoking Zidane and getting him a red card makes him a hero? Wow. I guess I look at the wrong things when quantifying soccer greatness.

Yes you are. I dont like him at all but I can understand why Italians consider hima hero. To everyone outside of italians he's a dirty player, but to Italians he is a national hero because he scored 2 goals in the tournament and won the world cup. If that isnt enough to make someone a national hero then i dont know what is.

 

[Manics]

Provoking Zidane and getting him a red card makes him a hero? Wow. I guess I look at the wrong things when quantifying soccer greatness.

How about leading the team in goals scored?