Who will win?

were on vacatien in the czech republic visiting family were really from the us, CA and were hoping that the french will beat those diving little frankies asses tonight

italy go sniff your butts and go have some cheese with your wine
you suck

go ITALIA!

To Lizy and George:

Ok! Maybe It’s better that you return to US to play ’soccer’ , because here in europe we play FOOTBALL.

MAY WIN THE BEST! (AND THE FAIRPLAY!)

FORZA AZZURRI!!!

The crown jewel in national team soccer — the World Cup — will be contested by two old European rivals, France and Italy.

I have no idea how either coach will choose to manage his assets tonight, but based on what I think their likely formulas for victory could be, here’s how I see it.

The critical Italian press has managed to muffle itself somewhat since the Azzurri’s messy draw with the U.S.A. Perhaps they have come to realize what some of us knew from the beginning: Marcello Lippi is a good coach!

Lippi will have 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2, 4-4-1-1 formations at his disposal, but my guess is he will shelve the 1-1 up front for France and play Toni and Gilardino ahead of Totti tonight. And although De Rossi is back to see if he has reformed himself after a four-game stint on the bench for thuggish behavior against those same Americans, I am not sure Lippi will tinker much with the guys who brought him to the dance. De Rossi may play, but behind Totti I expect to see midfielders Camoranesi, Pirlo and Gattuso at the outset.

Without going any further, I think this will play right into France’s hands if Domenech “lets his dogs loose,” to coin one of the coach’s phrases made in group play during this Cup, meaning Ribery, Henry (whether he is at the apex or not) and Zidane must attack at will and trust Vieira to manage things on both sides of the center stripe and, along with Makelele, to add STEEL support to the back four, led by central defenders Thuram and Gallas, with fiery Willy Sagnol on one wing. Of course, Vieira, Gallas and, if necessary, even Thuram must make their striking presence felt on corner and free kicks as well.

My reasoning for abandoning the conservative tack is that Gattuso is the only real holding midfielder, Pirlo and Camoranesi will be overworked, and the plundering “Bleus” could be knocking on Italy’s door all night if Domenech resists the urge to play for a 1-0 win. The French boss can continue to run the same 4-5-1 lineup he has for the past three matches, but if Domenech is too reticent to mount sustained attacks, his charges may end up very blue because 1-0 might not be enough. And no one wants a shootout in the finale either.

Regardless of what Domenech does, Toni must leave it all on the field for however long he is there (and Gilardino as well if there), with Iaquinta, Del Piero and Inzaghi held for the final 65-minute plus Italian assault if needed.

If it comes down to the dreaded shootout, Italy will have the big edge. Buffon has been the most effective keeper in this tournament and holds a huge advantage over past-his-prime Barthez on the other end of the pitch. Cannavaro, who has been superb in this Cup anchoring the Azzurri back line and eliminating the silly fouls that marked his career in years past, now is “reading” the game as well as anyone anywhere, knows the zonal responsibilities of his defense, and man-marks with the best of them.

If Domenech lets those dogs loose as described, they should prevail 2-1, even with Buffon in net because France has already put the “old legs” myth to bed in this Cup and adrenalin will be pumping tonight. If he remains conservative, it could end 1-0 either way, or even go to 0-0 and a shootout. If the latter does occur, unlike 1994, it will be Italy cheering throughout the Berlin night.

Dave hamildav@yahoo.com

to Luk:
hey bastard were little kids and were also citizens of the czech republic so if you want to mess stick it up your buthole because we kick some major ass in football

if you think your better come down to hradek and we will play you a football game with are village homies. stick that in your pipe and smoke it
LOSER

plus in thought this was about FRANCE WINNING THE WORLD CUP NOT YOUR MOM

TO lUK:
were little kids and also czech citizens if you want to mess stick up your but

go France
france
france
france
kill thoseitalians

To Lizy and George:

italy dives? What did Henry do then? LOL!

to catherine:
bloody murder you must be blind lol

france2italy1

This will be France’s real test..Finally, they will meet an opponent who means business…Clearly, watching France get this far, you can’t but notice that they played overrated sides like Spain, Brazil, and Portugal…Not only that, they needed a controversial penalty kick against Portugal to make it through…If the same France that played Portugal shows up tonight, then they will have their asses handed to them by the Italians…France better be ready for a long fight and one player (Zidane or otherwise) will not be enough to lift a whole team…

fra0nce2italy10803576950

neo you are right not olny one player can win it for a team its a team efort but italy is still going down

Neo, how about Italy. Let’s see their opponents:

- Australia (haha. needed 90th min pk. to win)
- Ukraine (hahahahaha.)
- Germany (Leaking defense…)

You can’t compaire that with Spain, Brazil and Purtugal…

To Lizy and George:

Try to win a world cup then you can said something of clever, but until that time you can only be quiet, little kids!

Final thoughts:

France has given a lot to football, and so, the reward is justified:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/ph/1930.html?i=0&d=1

Allez les blues. Live Jules Rimet’s dream. go and will it all…

I am thrilled to see Italy and France in the final game. I am even more thrilled that this Global sport has caught the attention of more Americans. Vive La France!

I agree Chris. I hope more Americans become infuated with this “beautiful game” With regards to the game, I couldn’t ask for a better match-up. Italy with its great defense and potent counter-attack versus France and its great midfield. It has the potential to be a game for the ages.

why do you let little kids get to you and were are you from

bastard

Go frace!

I don’t see France (or anyone else on the planet) scoring 2 goals on this Italian team. And if France pushes too hard on offense, they open themselves up to a potent counter attack with a shaky goalie. No, I think France will play their standard blended game, seeking opportunities to score, but always mindful that a solid defense has gotten them this far.

Every time I think about who can score in regulation, it comes down to goalies. And I’m sorry, but Barthez is vulnerable. If France can’t find a way to score first so they can sit back more and play 90% defense, unfortunately I think it’s only a matter of time before someone sneaks one in past Barthez.

I think this entire game comes down to who scores first. And if no one does in regulation or extra time, big advantage to Italy because of Buffon.

After this WC, I cannot stand Italians!!! Sorry, but the few idiots you have are ruining your name…i’ve never seen so many insults followed by…FORZA AZZURRI!!!

Grow up! France will win! I have $100.00 on this game

Why did Zidane head butt that idiot. WHat a way to go out. OH no.

This racism against players of African origin in football has got to go! This seems to be most prevalent from Italians and Spanish teams. An Italian player just racially insulted Zizou and got what I thought was an appropriate response. The whole French team should have walked out in solidarity with him and let the white supremacists have their white supremacist world cup! I am so sick of these kind of incidents marring this beautiful game!

You outplayed Italy most of the game so shame that you didn’t win . Some really sublime magical football .

But what was Zidane thinking ? I guess we have a tempermental genius on our hands . I am not sure if he affected the outcome or not … impossible to know . But I am a little dissappointed in him … I wonder what the Italian said to him … better have been real awful .

Must have been really bad to cause Zidane to lose his cool. Great headbutt, though. At least he knocked the Italian down flat on the pitch. Good for him.

Zidane was horrible i am so mad at him if he leaves international soccer like that then he is not worth being called great or legendary because he’s not he has to do something pretty terrific to get my oppinion back on him as for Barthez thank god it’s his last year Zidane really let us down

I cannot believe Zidane head butted an Italian player, something really bad must have been said but what. France played the better football. What a way to go out of the finals, hard luck you didn’t deserve to lose.

I still can’t believe it of Zidane, he is so professional, cool head I am in shock, especially if it his last professional game. Oh dear

Antoine, no-one can know why he did it, don’t be so quick to make judgements.

and also i hope Zidane plays in the next world cup because i really don’t want to see him finish like that and as for trezguet well i don’t know what to say about that shot…

“world cup 2006″ How could you know what happened? I am really curious…I think it is really sad that Zidane ended his carreer this way, but at this point only the players know what exactly happened, stop using your imagination!!!

Well , I think the biggest mistake France made in this game was to let Italy back into the game after 1-0 . The defensive strategy didn’t work but I guess it was worth a try . But imagine if France played the first whole 90 minutes like they did in 2nd half and extra time … Italy would not have had a chance .

Anyway , France I hope you continue to play the beautiful style that you do and many successes in future !

I am sorry for France because they deserved to win considering their spirit of their game. What a pity that Zidane had to go.

Worldcup2006, you know not the whole people of a country are racist. You can find all kind of people everywhere and in every country. We, the Spaniards, have been repeatedly called racist (in the Spanish blog) in general because of the rude behaviour of Spanish hooligans booing and making monkey noises to black players from France. I naturally think this is a shame and lack of respect, together with ignorancy and poor humanity. I tell you the attitude of these cunts is not representative of the majority of us.

Go on France!!!
Viva Zizou!!!

Obviousy France has nothing except Zidane and Henry. Italy has great defense and the best goalie in the world.

Italy wins! I have to thank Zidane and Frances coach for that one. If Zidane didn’t lose it he wouldn’t have gotten a red card and wouldn’t have gotten kicked out.Now for Frances coach he took Henry out. Bad move, by taking Henry out after the first over time ment that if it went to shoot out he wouldn’t have been able to participate.

It wasn’t all the French, Italy played a great game and cam up strong.

ITALY WINS L’Italia vince!!!!!

If a cool-headed, intelligent and magnanimous player like Zidane decides enough is enough and calmly and efficiently headbutts the foul-mouthed Italian, that’s good enough for me.

Liberté, égalité et chauvinisme. Shame on Zidane. Today the French team has done all they have critizised in the others: cheating the referee with a pretended penalty and the worst agression in his last play of his last minute in the pitch… The fairy tale of La Marseillaise (”Allons enfants de la patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !”)
is over. Things were not as Henry, Zidane and the others pretended to show to us… What a pity!

A pity? Zidane deserved to go he headbutted a guy in the chest over words!

That’s what is wrong with you French you can’t handle anything, unless you solve it over tea. pfft suck it up Italy obviously is the better team.

Oh and Lizy and George what happend I thought you were just visiting Czech? so If you’re on vacation you’re not a Citizen of the Czech. and Another thing, Italians don’t eat cheese and drink wine like the French do. Also the French are pompus and are stuck up they think they’re better than everyone. Now it is proven that they aren’t better. They are DIRTY Frenchmen who don’t deserve to be on the map.

L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
L’Italia vince
Thats bull Zidane lost his temper after him and Grosso (I believe) we’re exchanging words

Oh my god how dare you compare Zidane with great players, Is this a Joke, Zidane has never had a cool temper in real mandril Ja Ja… when things dont go his way he always loses his temper, he even has been red carded a couple of times, he is a very good player, but never compare somebody like him to great players like Pele, Maradona, French man Platini, Beckenbauer, Cruyff, no zidane is not on that list, besides, i Am happy they lost, the dont have fisical power and you cant win it all relying on pure luck so Forza Italia good champions solid defense, overall the best team in the cup, and remember brazil is still brazil best in the world……… JAJAJAJAJAJA by the way Zidane will always be rememberd as the bastard french who head butted Mazterazzi in the final of 06 not the great fantastic magical player, so frenchies get use to it…….

Beautiful headbutt Zidane, that really the only time the Italians didn’t dive. Sometimes preserving your self-respect and putting someone in there place is better than winning a game. That’s just my opinion though, not sure what was said yet.

and remember brazil is still brazil best in the world… DDDD STILL KICKED YOUR ASSES ASSHOLE :DDD France 1-0 BRAZIL. .D:D:D

Zidane Zidane, It’s ok! Still love you, no matter what! He’s still the best player ever, no matter what!

It’s a shame that Zizou committed that foul. He is too great of a player to have to bother with Materazzi.

I agree with Lippi, he is still the best player in the last 20 years.

And he could have lifted himself and France to greater heights had he not lost his cool. Poor Zizou why?

France gets World Cup for most beautiful head butt.

Everyone keeps saying “I wonder hat the Italian guy said to Zidane”.

IT DOESN’T MATTER what the guy said to him.

To headbutt the guy like that, in his LAST professioal game, esp. in the World Cup FINAL, is pure stupidity.

Although I rooted for the Italian team, I had great respect for Zidane, that is until the headbutt incident.

What an idiot to end his career like that… a disgraceful exit.

Zidane Zidane, It s ok

whatever u do we will always love u .

even though u fouled u did a good job of fouling.

that f**k materazzi really got a good head butt .

way to go zizou

Materazzi is a real jackass. He has done loads of rubbish before. Anyone want to see what he did to Sorin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gyu8W1g2co

agreed zizou was stupid and deserved a red card, but you can’t help but wonder what could have pushed him over the edge like that, zizou is quite a respected player so its hard to imigane it could be anything but something pretty nasty … but you never know, zizou didn’t look too happy when Buffon saved his header, maybe it was just pent-up ?

it does matter….somebody tell me.

Yeah two times, in your all f u c k in g history frenchies, Brazil is still Brazil, you have to win four more world cups to even be in the same stage with us, you poor little frenchi

The best player of Europe by the way is brazilian, the best stricker in the french leage is also brazilian his name is fred, and your daddy is also brazilian, my reyna bitch…. so get used to it, it sucks relying on luck…….
Brazil is your daddy….. jjajajajajajaja

You guys are fantastic, a player hit down an opponent with the head and the shame is on the opponent because you “suppose” he said something verry verry bad (poor zizou), someone also could hear that Materazzi used racists comments on the poor zizou…

fantastic, fantastic, i guess you think the ref should show the red card to Materazzi don’t you?

umbelievable…

Lilian Thuram said Portuguese team doesn’t have fair play. Yeah, right… The way Zidane ended his career proves who plays filthy. French motherfu**ers deal with that!

P.S.: Do you still remember Eric Cantona?

Zidane is badass sometimes you got to let the other man know that and the best way is the head butt, if it wasnt for stupid replay he would have got away witrh it. if anything to be blamed its the coach for talikng ribery. and trezeguet needs to work on his team play because he showe no part of the 10 min he played and the free sucked balls. just wait for Adu in four years hahaha

Hey Cesar , the whole world knows that France outplayed you now and in 1998 . I know that there is absolutely no creativity in the modern Brazilian team but don’t take that out on others . OK ?

But how about this for luck : 7-0 record against you . I think that is pretty convincing that France are BETTER than Brazil . 7-0 is NOT LUCK . THAT is SUPERIORITY . The only unlucky thing about that statistic is that France haven’t won more World Cups .

Hello. im from germany but im not a german fan. im a fan from argentina. im sorry for you guys, poor Zizou. im sorry for him.
i have to admit that the red card was good for zidane, but i have also to say that the italien guy has to bitchin on him really bad, that he do somthing like that.
See you in South Africa 2010.

Hey Cesar , the whole world knows that France outplayed you now and in 1998 . We all know that the modern Brazil team has absolutely no creativity whatsoever but don’t take it out on others , OK ?

And how about this for luck : 7-0 record against you . 7-0 means France are better than Brazil . That is not luck . THAT is SUPERIORITY . The only unlucky thing about that statistic is that France haven’t won more World Cups .

Enough with bad mouthing France. Show some respect. They were so close of winning this World Cup and clearly played just as well as Italy or maybe even better. I’m just really curious with what Materazzi said to Zidane. That Sorin incident was just plain nasty.

Why do some people here think it is ok to insult a team because they lost? We lost, it is sad, because we did play well during the second half and the extra time. Italians won. Good for them. Bottom line.
Zizou lost his temper, that’s the worst part. So yep, he should not have, yep it is not professional but hey..he’s human and everybody makes mistake. So to all of you who insult Zidane, you’re just idiot. This guy is one of the best players of all time. And nope, he is not the only great player who made mistake. Maradonna also had his day…and for Zizou it at least did not cost Italy anything. So respect!

Doesn’t matter what Materazzi said to Zidane just mad that Portugal didn’t do the same. Face you can’t go through the world cup without cheating, bad ref calls, diving in penalty boxes, fake head butts. If saying something to Zidane makes him so mad that he gets kicked, what didn’t the Portugal do it first….everything is game in this world cup.

Let´s face it! France win against Spain with a goal from a free kick that doesn’t exist. Then, against Brazil, there are two players offside in the only goal. Against Portugal, there was a penalty for the portuguese that the referee didn’t sign. In the final, Malouda jumps to the pool. You believed you can be the champions? Only on the dirty play, inside and outside the stadium. Fair-play is a word that doesn’t exist in the french dictionary.

Hey Coelho,
you’re right. It probably does not matter in terms of outcome…but Zidane being a pretty fair play guy, it is still very weird he did loose it like that…so yep, it may not matter, but it doesn’t make it right either…

Materazzi most probably said something racist to Zidane. The Italian defense was getting tired, and it looked like the French would eventually find a opening. So Materazzi reverted to insults in order to unsettle Zidane. He succeeded.

Zidane should have let his feet do the talking, as I’m sure Italy would have lost if he wasn’t sent off.

Zidane’s exist may not have been graceful. But he is still one of the best to play the game(Pele, Maradona, Zidane).

I forgot to say that if there was a good referee in the Portugal-France, the career of Zidane was already finished because he deserves a yellow card, just like Vieira, and couldn’t play in the final

I would like to congratulate France, because you played better than Italy in the final, although Italy did better on the first half. Zidane was the best player of the match and of the championship as well, I feel realy bad for him, cause I think he has a great character as well.

ZIDANE, BRASIL LOVES YOU TOO!!!

And obvisouly, some guys don’t even know soccer rules…huh, Nuno? That’s sooo sad…

assuming that Materazzi said something racist is, well, pretty much racist against italians actually.

“Fair-play is a word that doesn’t exist in the french dictionary. ”
Well…hopefully, ignorant is a word that exists in Portugese dictionary, otherwise we would have a lot of trouble to refer to you.

now you can sniff the ass of every italian in the world. you are both assholes anyway

I think Italy was great, I am not sorry for France at all.
Italy had an amazing game. Italy was just amazing, those guys deserve to win. I love you Italy. Canavaro is the best.

Steve:
And you’re obviously the smartest guy on Earth…and the most polite and respectful one too…

VIVA ITALIA!!! WHAT AND IDIOT MOVE BY ZIDANE – WHAT A WAY TO GO OUT!!!
ITALIA! ITALIA! ITALIA!!

C’est dingue le nombre des cretins qu’il peut y avoir sur ce blog. C’est desesperant…et fatiguant.
Pauvre Zizou…je suis sur qu’il est super en colere contre lui.
Ca craint.

Nicolaricola…
Et ben j’espere que t’es pas francais, parce que franchement des gens comme toi ca vaut vraiment pas la peine…J’espere que tu t’amuses bien au Canada et surtout fais moi plaisir…restes-y!

Oui, pauvre Zidane!

Cretin!

Il n’est pas meme francais, fils de merde!!!

Zidane est parti come le cochon qu’il est….troisieme meilleur joeur dans l’histoire????

NON!!!!

ITALIA ITALIA ITALIA

The World Cup is over in horrific way. Italians scared like a cat and played defense all night and through in perhaps some ugly racist perhaps some Islamophobic word because his background is from Algerian Islamic ancestry. I don’t believe for one minute Zinedine would risk the whole thing for nothing. My opinion is that if racist fascist Italian or any hate filled person throw something at anybody that person can and should act what he thinks is right regardless of what the outcome might be. No fascist would tell me in this forum that Zidane was simply hot headed for head butting violently just like that. If I was a player I would not play for any country that espoused fascism or any bad-isms unless and until the leaders of Europeans come together condemned this menace in one voice as it is wrong! The fans booed the Italians for right reason after the expulsion of Zidane and for playing cowardly. From now on Italians will be the second hated team in my least. I am so disappointed in this world cup because it had to end this way.

Heh heh…

Italy won,and to tell you the truth both teams are just decent, nothing more. Not the best Italian or French team I’ve seen. The real best team was Argentina, but penalties make or break, shouldn’t England learn, the overall tournament winners are usually good penalty takers, and Italy came good. I’m not sad for “Zizou”, he’s arrogant, and you can see how the French coach was made to look weak, as Zidane coached and played during the tournament. He did get sent off for stamping a player in his chest in ‘98. A great player, but arrogant, Pele/Backenbaur/Charlton etc. showed grace.

Too bad . I actually thought Zizou was a class act.

Wasn’t the running of the bulls in Spain- Oh! Yeah he must of thought he was playing for his club team.

What a disgrace( I mean him) .France actually played a pretty good game but finally they get to feel how italy felt in 94, and after the euro 2000loss in extra time. It sucks, doesn’t it??

what goes around comes around. C’est la vie!

Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Rc8fnS_rw

Justice has been made…
Ribery and the french couch got wath they diserved…

Zidane’s a 34 year old man, and a veteran of many international matches. There is no excuse for what he did. This wasn’t a league game that had little meaning. This was the World Cup FINALS and his team was tied with just a few minutes to play. It doesn’t matter what Mazzerati said. There aren’t any words in any language that he could have spoken that should have provoked Zidane to do that. We’ll never know if France would have won had Zidane played it out and been involved in the shootout. And for that, fans of France should always blame Zidane. Period.

Nuno , the portuguese who come here are a real riot . Never seen a bigger bunch of sour losers in the whole World Cup . You lost fair and square DESPITE pulling every trick in the book diving wise . And then to disparage France’s brilliant performances against Spain and Brazil is really low class of you . There were no offsides or illigitimate goals there , go get a rule book . The Portuguese deserved their 4th place finish ; it’s a good result . Take it and get out of here .

Yes Yes Yes we all know what Zidane did, he didn’t try and hide it, he didn’t argue the point with the ref he didn’t get involved in any squabbling and yes we know is wasn’t right or good sportsmanship. That said in Zidane’s career as a professional footballer he has been red carded a few times but to my knowledge has never physically attacked someone as he did today, so something said or done pushed him beyond his normal control. I am sure in the next few days that it will all come to light. So before we all attack Zidane and the French, think, wait and listen. It was an excellent match could have gone either way. France had much better control in the second half but Italy won which we say congratulations to them.

I cannot believe in my wildest thoughts Zidane would do this over something trivial so I for one am going to wait until the reports from him come out and then pass my comments. There is absolutely no point to warrant getting abusive ith one another it is over sad but over. I am sure that Zidane is in bits himself alond with a great team of players but I have faith he will tell all and clear the situation up.

I agree the french deserve what they got…2nd place hurts much more then Portugals 4th place and I love it.

France deserve to love because they stole a penalty against Portugal…by the Henry the Olympic Diver……

And Serb….you are an ass every team dives and cheats….according to a website that is independent it says that

France
Italy
Paraquay

were amognst the worst diver…..Portugal was like 8 or 9……

Portugal was cheated clearly( and I’m not a big Portugal supporter) But France deserved to get their heart broken….LOVED IT ……

hahahahah..CHEATERS….AND YEAH ass hole henry…always diving and normaly it pays..not this time

Again France dives and get a penalty…this time it did not get them to win….

Thank you ITaly…..

BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: England lost to Portugal

SECOND BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: France losing to Italy

THIRD BEST DAY OF LIFE (soon I hope): Breaking the legs of Henry, the biggest diver in the World cup.

Portugal sucks shiet.

Portugal was the embarassment of this World cup. THey embarassed themselves, their people and their nation. Even with Frances antics today the Portuguese remain the villains bu a country mile.

Good try France. At least you beat the pork,

What a disgrace France was, they did not deserve to have been in the final…..what goes around comes around. France were the biggest cheaters. It was the lesser of 2 cheaters but I am glad Italy won. Heres to knocking England out again and seeing France go another World Cup without scoring a goal. The French players have no class.

Obviously Zidane wasn’t being physically attacked by the Italian at the moment he headbutted him. That’s the only scenario where you can make a defense of Zidane’s actions. I don’t really care what the guy said to him (beyond curiosity), it’s wrong to defend Zidane’s actions by saying he was provoked by words. Get the guy back in the locker room or challenge him to a fight for his words after it’s all over and done with. But all Zidane did by succumbing and retaliating to words at that moment with a headbutt was destroy all the hard work he and his teammates had invested to get into a position to win it all. How utterly disappointing.

NO that we can look back at a good World CUp there were a couple of things that prevented it from being great.

1) The Portuguese have certainly stained soccer in a sad way. They not only hurt the image of the sport they have tainted it for years to come. THey are the leaders in the world of divign and cheating.
2) Ronaldo – let alone the team ROnaldo brought his antics to a extreme embarassment. The kkid can play but unfortunetely he will be remembered for this forever. WHy he has gone to such desperate pleas no on ewill know except maybe Scolari.
3) THe eventual outcome. Great for Italians but bad for everyone else. Lets be honest no one really wants Italy to win it. ANd worse off now we have to hear about it for another 80 years.

John I have just read an early report which says the sending off was actually breaking Fifa rules! Apparently the ref and the linesmen didn’t see the incident and the 4the ref was watching on a video camera on the line an reported to the ref. Which according to Fifa is against the rule. In the report is states some of the rumours are that Materazzi accused Zidane to be one of the players in the Italian league taking steriods, there was a heated arugment for a couple of minute (the report is on the Italian blog to read) but I am sure there is more to this than we know

Portugul,

The pork has been barbecued.

Pirlo: classic,I was waiting for the first idiot to put up the famed “islamophobia” card about the shameful Zidane headbutt. In my personal experience,everybody that ever uses that distorted neologism also feels constantly under attack from the outside (”they don’t do and think like I say,they must hate me!”) and that is the first step or paranoia and xenophobia

Hey Good Luck……Portugal is a tiny Country and have achieved wonderous results….

Every team has cheated and dived…but Portugal cheating never got them any penalties like Italy against Australia and France against Portugal.

Both Italy and France received crucial penalties that helped them reach were they are.

Portugal Ronaldo is maybe the only one true diver…he is young ..give him a break……and another thing…if you think Portugal stained football because of the Holland game…think again…Holland was at fault mostly for not implementing fair play.

Portugal is a great team and for some odd reason I believed they would win this world cup….

Anyway…I know most English people are still sour about the lost…get over it…..

Portugal were vice champions in Europe 2004 and 4th in the World…not bad for a country with a 10 million population.

So happy it was Italy that won
So happy it was Portugal that won against England..

Love both Italy and Portugal…

Hey Marcus,
I have seen you mumbling and blabbering on the Portugal site. You are like their biggest fane so don tsay you are not a supporter. France beat you. Portual went out with a whimper and no respect. They are the most hated country of soccer. They are disgraceful and so are you writing in to complain after everything you guys cheated and stole from others. You guys tainted this WC experience and you should be EMBARRASSED to be associated to that team. NOW shut your mouth you fool. You hypocrite. How dare you bomb english fans for being upset and then pulling the same tricks and bitching.
Now go back into teh dark hole you came from you freak.

Unbelievable!!

What was Zinedine thinking???

I can not believe that he would end his international career on such an ugly and nasty headbut against an opponent. What was he thinking?

And what startled me was how did the line judges and ref not see it??? Futbol need instant replay like we have here in the U.S. for sports like Basketball and Baseball.

The shot of him walking past the World Cup Trophy says it all.

Good Luck AHH you must support England how does it feel after 40 years its gotta hurt…me it seems for the last 6 years I have been able to see my team go past 3 games so good luck in 2008 when not only will the Brits get knocked out again but it may be another team maybe Trinadad ohhhh that would be classic.

HEY GOODLUCK…..get a life…too bad your teams did not win ….no need to blame your team poor performance for the outcomes of other peoples accomplisments…..

I sense anger in your posts….too bad…..Portugal are not what you say they are and no you are wrong…a lot of people would rather see Italy win then the Cheating French….which they dive much more then Portugal…

Oh yeah ..one more thing about France and Portugal diving…….France is much better at it since three dives gave them three goals…

Portugal none….they scored their own goals……..

PORTUGAL – HOLLAND Shame was on holland …portugal had to fight back…..one thing about Portugal is this….Ugly or Pretty Portugal can win…

SO GOODLUCK…leave this post …this will be my last post…because I’m on top of the world seeing the french cheaters heartbroken…

THANK YOU ITALY AGAIN…see you in 2010….and everyone talking bad about Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Spain……….Get a life…these teams are the world best…the worse

France
France
France

Cheating got you one goal…but you lost….THANK GOD.

BYE BYE FRENCH DIVERS….keep practising MAYBE next time you can wear you bathing suits when you play….dumb fRench divers….and dumb henry …

“BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: England lost to Portugal
SECOND BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: France losing to Italy
THIRD BEST DAY OF LIFE (soon I hope): Breaking the legs of Henry, the biggest diver in the World cup. ”

I am so sorry Marcus your life is sooo empty…
Anyway…
See you all in 2010

I’ve heard that the video was used also, this is pretty much an argument for it being used more often rather than an injustice against the french. No-one can doubt that zizou deserved a red card.

Okay there buddy.

Lets see there is Portugal wo already had a bad rep comign in and there was a headbutt, anywhere from 25-40 obvious dives, Riccardo laying on the ground for 10 minutes wasting the game(good to see he is healthy now HAHA) FIgo holding his eye when gonig down from the arm on chest(disgrace FIGO) why? ALso Miguels karate kick to Robben in the penalty area. Maniche running off field, Portuguese subs surrounding dutch player after FIGO dived. AS well as wasting time on free kicks and overactin gevery small play. On the HOlland side you had a bad tackle on ROnlado(lets be honest he kinda acts like a chick) and you had them not kicking the ball back after Portugal faked a injury. Thats what you do when it is a over obvious dive you dont give the ball back to that scum. I applaud them for that and I am a german. I dont cheer for HOlland but in that game anyone that says Portugal was not the Instigator has some sort of brain clot.

PS we smacked the crap out of you yesterday.

anna

shut your mouth you fool. Im German but also anti portuguese. Get out of Germany.

To Good Luck , good point about the 80 years thing . It is so true … sigh . LOL .

To Marcus , “France deserve to love” …. Huh ? And what is this mysterious “independent website” ? Must be your personal blog ….because clearly Portugal were the ‘best’ divers . As far as the penalty kick against Portugal , the Portuguese player knew immediately he done bad and he and his team did not protest the call . So once again some of you have never watched soccer before so go get your rule books out .

bye bye marcus;

You get pleasure that the so called frech divers lost because they beat you. Well you Porks played liek crap in that game and FIgo missed on the on egood chance. Oh trust me ROnaldo tried to cheat he just has lost all credibility so could not.

On the other had I get pleaseure out of seeing pork chops like yourself quiver in denial and sin. Grow up porks and accept responsibility for your disgusting circus acts.

What a dissapointment. As someone who lived in France, i cheered for them throughout this tournament, though, like most French people I love Italians too (French often refer to the italians as “our cousins”), so I can’t be too upset with Italy’s win. What I am upset with (and what the French media is talking about) is Zidane’s behavior. I thought better of him, he let his team down, he should’ve known better. On a side note, team USA tied Italy when we played them, so in a way, we’re just as good as the World Cup champions USA! USA! USA!

Hey Good Luck I don’t live in Germany I live in the best country Canada and your team sucks and it makes you mad. Your team are nothing but pretty boys in front of the mirror. When England gets a real team and not worry what their hair looks like then you can debate with the grown ups.

I said that I would not post anymore posts …but this was great..

GO TO FIFAworld.cup to see who was voted the most entertaining team to watch…..

“Users declare Portugal the most entertaining team”

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060709/1/8r3w.html

Guys there is no point in arguing about Portugal, they have developed their own reputation, the world will not remember that some of their team can player soccer they will remember that some of their team are divers so let them be. This is about the WC final which should be enough for us to discuss at the moment. For those of you who go on about England, remember they went out with the heads held high did Portugal? I know what I remember the game for, but that is past. Don’t forget in the WC history Portugal are comparatively new to competing in the last 16 (check Fifa web since it started can count on one hand how many times they have been here)so they are a little zealous they will learn.
However Italy won let them enjoy their moment, French played extremely well but that is the way the cookie crumbles.

We all have our memories good and bad but being abusive to one another and throwing insults around doesn’t in the long run make you feel better. At some point in our lives we all feel we have been cheated, not only our beloved team that we support. Move on guys & girls it is only 4 yrs to the next one and who knows we may or maynot all not be around for it.

Adios France!!!!!!!!!!Italy!!iTALY!!!!

well put Jane

Zizou is a disgrace. What a scum. What did he think this is bull fighting or what? GO BACK HOME LOSER!!!!

“That said in Zidane’s career as a professional footballer he has been red carded a few times but to my knowledge has never physically attacked someone as he did today…”

Seriously now…where do you people come from? Did you really just start watching football today?

France dominated the game from the second-half. Italy didn’t deserve this win.

TRoglodyte,

Yes I said that and apologies my mistake I take it back, he was red carded previously for a head butt nad standing on someones hand, please accept my apologies. Yes I watch much football and love it but just can’t accept that good fans can come here and abuse continuously thats is not good football supporters.

jane right on the money.

No one cares about Portugal, kinda like a blip in teh tournament. By the way ANna I dont like ENgland. I also live in Canada but cheer for the Germans. YOu disgrace me Anna. You must live in Toronto.

ANNA sucks.

Please stop talking about England, it is about eh WC final.

P.S NO room for portuguese in canada. Get out.

GO France.

Portugal sucks.

Love it! I hate france!!!!!!!!.

the french suck!!!!!!!!!!

sophisticated neal, you do your country proud.

materazze is a monster; has always been a monster that embodies everything you hate in soccer and in humanity

he deserved the headbutt. one could only wish that someone like Desailly would have confronted him after the game was done and settled

italian football is in shambles and in utter disgrace. watching them win the world cup is an egregious affront to our notion of fair play.

you guys talk about Portugal being the worst at diving. what a laugh. you all suckle at the teets of british ’sore loser’ media claims of robbery. meanwhile, an independent group rated the worst offenders of the ‘dive’, and guess what, yep, Italy was #1. and what press do they get for it. hardly any.

unfortunately history is written by the winners. maybe when buffon and company at juventus get knocked down to seria C, they’ll strip him of his world cup medal as well.

one can only hope

Vierra, Trezeguet and Thuram also all play at Juve ….

Silver, you have obviously a lot of hatred in you I am an England supporter and what ever happened in the England match is done and dusted we live with it, the same as the Italians will live with the happenings in the Italian league. No point bringing it up time and time again it is wasted energy and only causes you frustration. History I beg to differ is not only written about winners, what will you remember about this world cup? In two years time I won’t remember that Italy won I will remember how Ronaldo got involved in something that had nothing to do with him to the point he istigated the red card for Rooney. I will remember the penalty that should not have been in the Aussie vs Italy match, I will remember that Germany were fantastic hosts I will remember seeing all the fans in the stands cheering enjoying themselves and having a great time, I will remember some good football but most of all I will remember coming on to these blogs and feeling shame and pity for all those that have sent rascist, abusive blogs trying to incite hatred. Is that what a WC should be about, am I missing something. These are just my opinions not trying to stir anything up just my memories.

Italy won but France dominated the game. After the second half Italy was nowhere to be seen.

Zidane has never been that type of player. That Italian mofo probably said something very bad.

But I am glad thinking that the top 3 teams in Italy are going to 3rd division because Italians have always been mafiosos and they will always be. In the US organized crime is taken care by the Italians and in Italy they are no better. They will always be known as the dirty guys.

Everywhere in the world they are known as being corrupted.

I am American and what they did to our player shows what kind of scum they are.

A win that was not deserved and everywhere do they say that France played better.

I am not a French fan but Italians are way too freakin dirty to deserve anything in life.

Italy will always been known as the mafia country. Where all the criminals come from…yes even in our good ole’ USA. Organized crime at its best. Look at their politics, at their football.

France was the better team.

Organised crime has globalised these days, Russians, Nth Koreans, everyone wants in, and outsourcing had led to a real diversification in this growth industry …

btw. Cantona is rumored to have had links to organised crime and as pointed out previously, France had 3 players in Juve

i think it’s a shame that zidane did that at all and especially that late in the game. it left a bad taste in my mouth.

does anyone know yet what materazzi said to him? all i could figure out is that some people say it was a racial slur. i think materazzi is a dirty defender and a scrappy player. i think zidane should never have done what he did. it happened, and the italians will always be remembered for winning, and zidane will always be remembered for his red card in this years final match.

Jane, i’m playing devil’s advocate and am simply trying to point out the simple fact that our opinions are often formulated by the media’s portrayal.

portugal is villified, and yet, Italy is the worst country in this cup at diving

everyone claims that Zidane’s last hurrah was shameful, and yet, i believe that it could never tarnish his significant accomplishments to the game in the last 20 years. besides, there are other loyalties stronger than that of country; god and family. i believe materazzi pushed one of those buttons.

shame on him if that is indeed what happened.

hate is a strong word to accuse me of, and i’m sorry that you feel that way. maybe opinionated, passionate? there is a very fine line between love and hate.

HA HA HA HA HA!

I love it… France goes out with a bang, since they didn’t deserve to be there, playing the whole game against Portugal with their tails between their legs. Then again, neither did Italy, since Australia was robbed against them too. If I have to pick my poison, let it be the Italians… since I can’t stand the arrogance from the French. At the end of the Portugal game, Domenech turned to the Portuguese bench and said, “I’ve “expletive” you again.” Well, jackass… you’ve been “expletive”d by the Italians at the last kick of a really long undeserved final. SERVES YOU RIGHT! HA HA HA HA HA!!! One more thing: The US was no match for these 32 teams… but we will soon rule this sport, like we rule just about everything else. And another thing: I love it that little teams like Portugal scare the big countries so. When you’re scared, you go on the offensive through the press… and it just shows how LITTLE you truly are, and just how GREAT these little countries really are. ENJOY YOUR RIOTS, FRENCHIES! This time, the US won’t come and help you. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Looking at things from a different angle….At least with the Cup now over we can catch up on some sleep!

WHAT A WAY TO GO OUT…HEAD BUTTING ANOTHER PLAYER OVER AN ARGUEMENT…..SAD DAY FOR HIM…I LOST ALL RESPECT FOR HIM AFTER THAT…ITS ONE THING TO BE MAD, BUT HE DIDNT ONLY DO BAD FOR HIMSELF, HE DID IT TO THE ENTIRE TEAM!

OK Siver I take it back perhaps hate was a stong word to use. I don’t think as many people as we suppose are actually influenced by the media, people tend to listen and read and the interpret what they have taken in twist it around a little and spout what they believe to be true. The media is just the fuel you need that flames to really burn. I agree with some of your points I believe Portugal and some of the Italian players have shamed themselves their country and football but that is my opinion other see them through crystal glasses and think their wonderful, but if everyone looks inside themselves they will actually see what happened, thats is unless they don’t want to and sometimes facing reality about someone or thing that you love is too hard to accept. Materazzi knows what he said, or did he has to live with it and I hope that everytime he looks at his medal he can say to himself that he won it fairly, honestly and in true sportsman style only he knows. Yes it is very very sad about Zidane and I concur that something bad must have happened. That is no excuse for physically attacking another player otherwise the game might as well go back to the streets and be played. Not everything in life is fair, there are injustices going on everywhere, people losing lives etc. This fortunately is not the end of the world it is football and in 4 years time the same things will be said (only next time a little more politely) and the accusations will be flying but hey lets leave it on a good note and say there have been some stunning moments in the world cup

I WAS A FRANCE FAN, BUT I AGREE WITH YOU JANE…IN THE ITALY-USA GAME WHEN MCBRIDE GOT ELBOWED HE CALMLY WALKED OFF, DIDNT YELL, OR PUSH, OR PUNCH…I THOUGHT ZIDANE WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME FOR SURE…

HE SHOULDN’T BE LOOKED AT AS A HERO ANYMORE

Oh yeah, one more thing.

To my sore loser neighbor up north… Where was YOUR country in this world cup? That’s right… at home, where they belong. Although… who really owns you? The US? France? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

And to the racist who says there is no room for Portuguese people in Canada… how sad I am for you. Tell you what, FRIEND, you can come to the US, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

Unless you’re an arab.

J/K

Dont listen to the english poor bastards using Canadian proxys, they’ve it the bottom, let them talk, to see if they get over it.

Cumps

Congrats! to Italy who won the World Cup for the 4th time!
It was a shame to see France lose but they played the best on the day. France did not give up and in the second half were the dominant attacking team but it was not to be.

It was a great World Cup final that was overshadowed by Zidane headbutt incident.

I just hope that Zidane is remembered for his talent and not ‘that headbutt’

To read more about the final match or watch a video of the ‘Zidane headbutt’ visit: http://the-soccer-locker.blogspot.com

You wont be dissapointed:)

Josiah

Johnathon,

What Zidane did was not right however he will always remain a hero and a brilliant footballer. He has earned that title from his people and his peers for the work he has done in the past. If you are driving your car (God forbid) you run over a child that does not automatically confirm that you are a bad driver. There will be circumstances surround ing the accident, the child ran out, it wasn’t looking, anything. So as far as Zidane is concerned he is and will always be one of the best footballs we have known, that can never be taken away from him.

Zidane’s headbutt is the headline of the WC final, whoever the champion is not a major concern.

Materazzi is known for his dirty play. He does have a history. Some suggest that he called Zidane “a terrorist”. If that’s true, then he should be stripped from his medal. Samuel Etoo left the Brca vs Bilbao ( or getafe, can’t recall) after the audience started making monkey noice against him.
Zidane is a good player, I cheered for Italy, but france played very well. And why are so many people from America using these trashy words against france, is it because of the whole war thing? get over it people! besides, remember that Rossi kicked one of your players in the face for no reason, why isn’t that pissing you off? Forza Italia, and all respect to the french opponent!

Oh, the “terrorist” part, I read that in the Guardian.

It’s funny Italy won, but 5 out of 6 articles are talking about Zidane no one cares who won the cup…gues what people love these kind of things remember mike tyson’s ear bite?… I stil respect Zidane and I don’t think France lost PK is never winning for me!!

Hey SAID…you americans call whole countries terrorists, just before you kill a bunch of thier citezens..so whats your point?..Plus, the whole Muslim (Zidane is Muslim) = Terrorist thing was developed and propagated by the good ole USA..

we all know the real terrorists on this world is the USA USA USA…FAT PIGS!!!

to those of you who have lost your respect for zidane because of a headbutt: you make me sick. if your respect was genuine, you would recognise that even the best players make mistakes. his actions were wrong, and it’s a shame he ended his career that way, but remember him as an amazing player and not as the man who blew the world cup for france, because he didn’t.

lalala,

I truly agree with what you are saying, however I still believe there are two sides to the story and who knows when Fifa do the investigation Zidane may come out of this smelling of rose. Those people who raved about Zidane and then put him down like this is are a disgrace and are not true supporters, he will overcome this. If the comments or whatever were racists then I agree that Materazzi should be stripped of his medal. I remember the Captains getting up, in their speech, before the start of play saying No Racisim. It doesn’t matter if Zidane is Muslim, what does it matter what religion anybody is that is a private matter. Regards bringing ‘terrorists’ conversation into a WC Blog that is just going beyond the joke. I say leave politics and religion to those who are paid to do it. Heavens above we have political parties arguing for years and they still can’t get answers or get it right. Lets just talk football.

French supporters please remember the match in a lot of peoples opinion (mine included) was won by France the PK’s were won by Italy. There is a difference France by far produced the best play for most of the match even when they had 10 men. So take heart the majority of people think you won.

But heck nobody is talking about the Italians winning the WC that was forgotten hours ago, not important, the headlines Worldwide is the head butt. Fifa will have to investigate this whole incident as the refs broke the conventional FIFA rules by using video recording. I am sure the truth will come out. If Materazzi used racial inuendos to rile Zidane then he should be stripped of his medal. If FIFA decide that the sending off should not have happened then I say let them play again, wipe the slate clean, lol that would be quite cool nobody would then forget this WC haha

Football sucks, baseball rules.
Japan is the only country to win a baseball world cup.
I have started to like football, but after seeing the behaviors of some silly spanish fans, I found out that this game promote nothing but hate.
http://racistspain.blogspot.com/

I hope Zidane wasnt racially abused. If it is the case, shame on the other players who didnt walk out.

For those who say that ZZ is usually calm and cool, you obviously do not watch enough games. He has been known to stomp on players and spit on them (in world cup games nonetheless – ie, 98 WC). He has always been temperamental (he even missed one game in THIS WC because of yellow cards). What he did yesterday in the game is actually pretty much inline with his behaviour and mentality: an excellent player that is still a child at heart that resorts to physical violence when things don’t go his way.

The sight of Cannavaro, who has been BY FAR, teh best player in this WC, lifting the trophy made all teh bad stuff that happened in this WC worth it.

jane you have no clue….:-))

well done to italy they played well, france played a crap game for their so called potential. portugal is a GREAT team.. world class!!!! hey guys how long did the french practice those dives…geeeesss and that head but… you french have some issues..i would have expected that from the brits…:-))see you guys in a couple of years

forca portugal

fiipe, you are entitled to your opinion (thats all blogs are you know) and I respect that. However pls don’t come here and tell me I have no clue. Your opinion of Portugal is based an you biased fan/supporter attitude. Mine however is based on the fact that I support neither, France Italy or Portugal so I watch these games totally unbiased and say what I see, that is there for the world to see. Please learn not to be so bigotted, have an open mind and then you just may see Portugal in their true colours. Until then there is little hope for you, but I shall pray for you to see the light. Bless you

Also, lets not forget his 2 straight red cards in 2000 and the 5 match ban. He also headbutted some other player in the past.

The point is that the guy is a pretty violent player.

Angry Fan,

You are angry aren’t you. There is always two sides to every story. Lets wait until the facts are known. I don’t think there is a footballer who has been labelled ‘great’ in the past without history. What Zidane did was not correct however Zidane was honest with his action he did it for the world to see. Materazzi on the other hand apparently hid behind verbal racist/muslim comments, is this a man or a mouse. Lets wait until it all unfolds and then balance the situation and reflect on what has happened. Do not condemn a man until he is allowed his final word. Pls do not think for one minute that I approve Zidane’s action but I would like to hear the truth, Wouldn’t you.

Cannavaro the best player in the WC – not a chance.

Italy’s reputation for diving precedes them into every World Cup match, and there’s a tradition that the Italian captain is a diver – Totti in ‘02 – plus he jumped on top of Malouda (if I remember correctly). It’s a miracle he wasn’t carded.

hehehe….

biased? most definately i am proud of my nation and i love this game… it has been a most awesome display of skills from all countries and it is great to know that the sport is so strong.

and as much as you did not enjoy my comments i did not enjoy yours… regarding your prayers thank you but i think they will be most needed else where…

viva portugal..viav futebol

Jane,

Where did i “condemn” the man? I didn’t even mention anything about Materrazi or what he could have said or done. Its Irrelevant to THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE, which is (it seems that you missed it): that ZZ has a history of violent behaviour. THATS IT!

I could care less what was said. The fact remains that ZZ is a very temperamental player and has been throughout his career. If your gonna respond to my post, I suggest you respond to what I have actually said and not other things that other people have said.

Nice header by Zidane – I’m waiting to hear the investigation results, as is the whole world.

‘Materazzi on the other hand apparently hid behind verbal racist/muslim comments, is this a man or a mouse.’

This strikes me as a bit of an assumption, though accusations of racism/Islamophobia have automatically and routinely surfaced, but there isn’t a shred of evidence to support. I only saw Materazzi’s arm around Zidane’s waist as they tussled for the ball in the Italian box – hardly reason for a headbutt.

Don’t think for a moment I’m defending ‘il mafioso’, though – it’s just that everyone has to stop pointing fingers at Zizou before Materazzi faces the music.

Angry fan, Yes I did understand what you were saying, and yes you are trying to condemn Zidane on his past history (previous red cards for head butting and standing on a players hand). What I am saying (and pls don’t think for one moment that Zidane was correct in his action, I found it appalling)is until all the facts are known pls don’t make assumptions. Just because someone was an alcholic in the past and received treatment doesn’t always make him an alcholic (just a point). Zidane is a brilliant footballer, he will be a legend for his skills etc do not put this man down until you know the facts.

I am not a French supporter I support all football.

Sorry Angry fan typing error should read alcoholic.typing to fast!!

And still typing too fast, Jane… ‘typing TO fast’… anyway I’m right there with you on your views.

Mike there are a few reports on the Sports web, the Guardian etc. According to reports Materazzi had been trying to rile Zidane previously to Zidanes head butt. There is video footage of Materazzi going up to Zidane and twisting his nipple and arguing earlier in the match. Quotes from other players are being supressed and they are refusing to say in public what was said. Here I am presuming that there will be an enquiry. Fifa I am sure will look in to the fact that the sending off of Zidane contravened FIFA rules because a 4th ref saw what happened on video and reported it to the ref and the lines man. This is not allowed according to FIFA.

Again, you don’t seem to get it. Pointing out someone’s violent past does not mean that you are condemning/judgin/or doing whatever you want to call it. It simply means just that: the guy has a past of violent behavior. THATS IT!

Thanks Jane,

I was of the opinion that the Guardian started those reports, especially of Materazzi calling Zidane a ‘terrorist’.

Twisting his nipple – could that be it? Maybe that was what Materazzi did, it just looked like he was being an annoying nuisance with his arm around Zidane’s waist, but their backs were facing the camera which I watched.

Can’t wait for the inquiry.

btw, THIS is a condemnation: Zidane is a thug and deserves all the disgrace that he gets.

Materazzi’s no angel either.

MIke, apparently it all started ealelier in the match. Howeever I have just watched the Japanese news and apparently Zidane has been awarded the most outstanding/popular player of the semi finals (maybe our news is late here and you already know) Just to make sure my translation was correct and searched Fifa web and yes it is true. I say Well Done Zidane

Angry Fan.

You are wrong, according to the millions who voted via Fifa Zidane is the most popular player won by a huge margin we can’t all be wrong now can we. So I would politely suggest you keep your ‘thug’comments tucked away somewhere quiet until the facts are known.

Most of you are assuming that Materazzi said something to Zidane. Then some are saying that it was the 4th referee that saw it on the tv. But the only thing the all world saw is what Zidane done. Talk about real things.

I’m an italian and I think we should all stop going on about what Zidane did and talk about the fact that a great team has won the cup, Yes what Zidane did was wrong but no one can take away what this man has achieved in football, he is truly one of the greatest players in the last decade and for everyone to judge him on 2 seconds of madness is harsh. What he done was very bad especially in the world cup final, but hey these things happen, players are human not robots and can self-destruct any time especially when there is a world title on the line. But apart from that the italians deserved to win the world cup as we only drew one game and that was against the US and we won all the rest. Unbeaten in 25 matches that go back to 2004. That my friends is a record that can only be achieved by champions. FORZA ITALIA

Well said Sunny. Even though Italy has been dogged by accusations of dirty play, and their reputation for diving precedes them into every match… I thought Man of the Match Cannavaro was guilty of it, too.

Then again, not that the French weren’t.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/Daryoon/Celebs/Zidane.gif

Replay of the headbutt

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/Daryoon/Celebs/Zidane.gif

Nuno I don’t agree with what Zidane did. However he just didn’t have ‘melt down’ I think he is a little bit more mature than that. So according to reports/gossip the word is he must have been provoked. You wouldn’t just go and head butt someone for the hell of it, be real it just doesn’t happen that way unless you have already been committed!! There are other factors in this situation and I think we should wait until Zidane speaks himself.We can all assume,accuse and point the finger but none of us know for real so lets wait hey.

Hey Sunny…

Your “great team” needed an imaginary penalty 3 seconds from time against the Aussies to get through. I wouldn’t call them a great team; I’d cal them a lucky team. I’m still happy the Italians beat the French, don’t get me wrong, but hearing Italy fans talk about how GREAT they were this world cup is going to get old really quick.

It is a shame that nobody is really interested in the Italians winning the WC it is all forgotten (except for the Italians themselves) it is all about the head butt and Zidane winning the golden head. So really who are the winners!

Zidane is an animal.

Jane, in other circunstances does anyone wants to know what happens before? I just say that probably it will be easy to find something that Materazzi had said or done, but then… anyone will cares to know if Zidane insulted first? (I don’t know if i’m being clear.)

Italy will be rember in the history because it have won the WC 2006…

Zidane will be rember because he was a great player…

France will NOT be rember because it has losed the final WC 2006

these are the facts!

SOME COMMENTS

-Italia Won the World Cup.

-Italia has 4 world cup, one less of Brazil, so it is the second soccer team in the world

-France play a very good final

-France is a great soccer team

-Zidane is a fantastic player, but the head-butt makes he a dick-head.

-Some of you U.s.a. supporters talks about italians and their racism , but you are first racist with italians so you aren’t better. However, you are always loser in soccer game, so it’s better you talk about baseball or basket.

-CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!!!!!!!

Bravisimo Italia!!!

You played a great defensive game!

The high point of the game was Buffon blocking Zidane’s shot with a volleyball like push. That was goal-keeping at it’s finest.

I’m tired of all the people trashing the Azzuri and saying that Matarrazi provoked Zidane.

Violence, just like racisim, is not acceptable at this level of play.

GO TO THAT ADDRESS!
IT’S AMAZING!!!

http://widelec.org/zidane.html

CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!!!

AND NOW IT IS THE TIME TO GET LA GIOCONDA (MONNAlISA) BACK TO ITALY!!!!!

TETRACAMPEON DO MUNDO ONLY BRAZIL CAN PLAY WITH US

[...] I don’t care what anyone says, Zinedine Zidane is a badass! There aren’t too many French guys who I can even stand, much less watch on TV on a regular basis for an entire month. But Zidane’s performance in the World Cup — apparently the last of his career — was awesome. In most of France’s games I wanted the other team to win, but it was a pleasure watching the great Zidane wreak shop on some of the greatest players in the history of soccer — including all those overpaid Brazilian chumps! And, for me at least, the final was perfect… [...]

I LOVE ZIDANE F*CKING ME
I WILL LET HIM DO IT HE IS SO HOT

I think Italy will win 5-3 in PSO

That would give them fours stars wouldn’t it. Wow wouldnt that be something special

ANGRY FAN, COULD U PLZ KEEP UR COMMENTS TO URSELF.

ZINEDINE ZIDANE IS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER, AND EVEN BY THE WONDER PELE, HE IS TOLD THAT HE TO WILL BE THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME.

WHAT MATARAZZI SED WAZ WRONG, AND IT SHUD NOT BE USED IN FAIR PLAY.

IM RELATED TO ZINEDINE ZIDANE.
IM FRENCH BUT I HAVE A ALGERIAN BACKGROUND AND IM PROUD TO BE ONE.

VIVE LA FRANCE… VIVE LE ALGERIE..

look lizy and george you dumb bastards!!!! Italy kicked your czech asses so dont talk!! now Italy should have won the final in regulation cuz the ref sucked at calls!! 1) that was not a penalty 2) the goal Italy scored was not offsides, so Italy won twice. All of you czechs, germans, brazilians ,argentines and what not BOW to the reigning Kings of soccer and BLOW ME!!!!!!!! FORZA ITALIA!!!!!!!!!!

another thing ….ready or not here comes NAPOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zidane can blow me too cuz he is a TERRORIST!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And by the way, Pele was great but he could not even carry Diego Maradona’s jock strap!!! sorry Brazil, no disrespect ,but El Diego was ,and still is the Soccer God!!!!!

as far as England goes, screw Liverpool and Chelsea, Its Manchester United baby!!!!!!!MAN U are the next champs!!!!

Victoria Beckham is a piece of ass!!!!!!!

Both Materazzi and Zidane and b**ch retards. You don’t headbutt a guy in his chest because of something he said. Especially if it’s the WC final and the last damn game of your life!

It’s obvious that Italy was overall the best team. They scored a great goal within minutes of a PK achieved by some diving. And Toni’s goal was not offsides.

Whatever!? Italy got lazy…and could not finish off france in a respectable fashion, they had to do it in shootouts. France was dominating the second half. The headbutt was amazing and set high standards and will be one of the most memorable WC.
Zizou Rules!
We will miss zidane! And will not forget! http://www.respectzidane.com

italy played possum they did not get lazy

Im sick of these punk ass countries that never won a world cup and want to tell us about soccer. I am American but I am Italian blooded and Italy and Brazil are the best soccer countries in the world and Jane from Japan.. shut your punk ass and make me some sony playstations cos everyone cares that Italia won the world cup and know they are the best whether you like it or not!!!

FORZA NAPOLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!