Will we see the real Henry?

4-2-3-1 is probably the reason he has suffered a bit, but he will always keep the defense honest, even when he doesn’t have the ball, which opens things up for everyone else.

Who knows, maybe he has a break out game when it counts the most–on Sunday…

Would you rather have any other striker in the WC?

I wish Henry to kick Italian ass, at least he should be angry with them after suffering in this clown team Juventus.

France should float Henry out on a wing and have him dash in on Italy’s off-ball side to receive pinpoint passes from Ribery or Zidane. Italy has shown a tendency to let good passes get by them when they go from one side to the other, or quick passes from the center to a wing who is rushing in. As much as I love Ribery, I think Italy will shut him down. Henry seems the most logical choice to score if a score is to come from regular play and not set pieces or a PK.

2002 – Brazil & Ronaldo were said to have past their best… France was favorites. Brazil came back to score 2 gaols from Ronaldo, past Khan who had conceded only 1 goal in the whole tournament…

2006 – France & Henry were said to be old. Brazil was favorites. France will come back to score 2 goals from Henry, past Buffon who had conceded only 1 goal in the whole tournament…

T.

Will we see the real Henry? We have seen the real Henry. Many moments of good, but not great, play. The reason why he, in my eyes will never be a great player – such as Zidane – is because he has a manner that a player of his calibre should not have – the feigning to have been fouled eg twice against Brazil, the overexaggerated trip against Portugal. No matter how great a player is, once I see repetitive acts to deceive the referee, that player has fallen to a level where the title of “great” does not befit him.

Roger,

You are obviously not a football fan or at least you have not seen Henry play for Arsenal. Because if you had, you would not be saying those things.

It just sounds like rambling from a jump on the football wagon fan. I do not mean any disrespect but anyone who knows football is aware of the fact that Henry is in the top 5 strikers in the world and one of the most feared out there.

Many of world’s best players do not perform as well on the world cup because they do not train with the nation’s team nearly as much as they do with the club teams. Many club teams actually train players around GREAT players. Imagine that…VIP treatment that you could never get in a nation’s team.

Just my 2 cents and I do not mean any disrespect.

thts so true Henry, world stage logically are much higher and on different state than playing in a club. u can play a whole season in club n still kicking for next season, but for world cup its 4yrs down the road(do or die). so its possible to dive, to foul, to cheat, to play dirty as long as u winning the game. facts, ur fan doesn’t remember those dirty play…all they remember is the cup trophy. when u lose, everything just fall on ur shoulder n b remembered for yrs(look at ronaldinho).

I hate to disappoint both you, henry and rihas, but I have been an avid follower of football for more than 25 years, and that’s why I said the above. I have seen the greats and they never pretended to be fouled in their league games or world cup games., eg Bobby Charlton, George Best, Pele, Puskus, Di Stefano, and on and on, a great honest player has no need to resort to such tactics, WC or no WC. I completely disgree with Rihas that “its possible to dive, to foul, to cheat, to play dirty” in WC “as long as u winning the game”. That’s not the sign of a great player, and that’s my argument.

Also, Henry, I have constantly found on these blog sites that if one person disagrees with another, such as you have with me, there seems to be a reply by people such as yourself with claims of superior knowledge of the game by denouncing the other’s opinion as almost irrelevant by making undeserved statements, eg., “You are obviously not a football fan…It just sounds like rambling from a jump on the football wagon fan”. You may disagree with my opinion, but do not make the false assumption that you know more than me and I do not make the assumption that I know more than you by making inane statements such as “rambling from a jump on the football wagon fan”. This is also my 2 cents and I do not mean any disrespect.

We’ve already seen the “real” Henry. The fake dive & against Puyol of Spain that gave France a freekick against Spain which was the turning point of that game.Than the overaction to the challange for a penelty against Portugal.
Henry is overated.any player playing in the English premiership is “overated” because the premiership itself is an overated league. The power of Hype & money. That league RELIES on overseas players & coaches (mainly fron the Latin countries).Without them the English league is about as effective as a fart in a hurricane.

We will kick your ass ! Forza Italia

Henry is a bit of a faker, but that does not detract from his quality as a world class striker. You can be a talented player but have a reprehensible side. Take Cristian Ronaldo, he’s a guy how can play brilliant soccer but unfortunately he likes to have it easy when he can. Hey Zidane himself earned a few red cards for stupid rough plays, yet nobody denies his greatness.

Anyway, I hope Sunday’s game will be fair and square and that Henry will show his soccer skills rather than his acting ones.

Henry is THE best striker in the world and he will prove it on Sunday. Henry plays his best football when the stakes are highest. Although Italy’s defence is among the best in the world, perhaps the best, Henry will find a way to exploit those rare occasions where the Italian defence has a lapse in concentration and score. There is no doubt that this is France’s world cup.

I really hope Henry will do a BIG game…

Roger, what about maradonna? Nobody could, deny he was a great player. Football is not critism.
Football is joy. If you don’t like a player, just shut your mouth and support the one you like.

HENRY IS the biggest cheater in the world cup.

He dives too much.

The truth be said is that he is the reason France is in the Final….remember he is the one that dived against Portugal that gave them the only goal against Portugal.

I HOPE FRANCE LOSES SUNDAY as Henry and Co are a bunch of cheaters and divers…..

LOSERS AND CHEATERS = henry and co

Hey Marcus,

If you know nothing about the game then shut up.
Anyone who knows a bit about football knows that Henry is one of the best strikers in the entire universe.

You just sound like a little kid who lost a little league match and cannot handle it.

BoooooooO!

To all of you French Haters:

We know why you come here….because of your hatred for France…that is all. We are used to it.

You do not come here to give your thoughts about a wonderful sport….you just love bashing the French.

Well, let me tell you. The French have the best football player in the last 10 years—-Zidane! The French have won the 98 world cup and the 2000 Eurocup. And they are now in the finals of the 2006 world cup. They are probably the TOP team in the last 10 years.

And you just CANNOT handle that because you hate the country.

All I can say is F^&*CK YOU! France have done it! And they are on top!

I do hope we won’t see the real Henry cos he can be scary.
“I wish Henry to kick Italian ass, at least he should be angry with them after suffering in this clown team Juventus.”
football fan I don’t think Henry is angry since he’s a smart guy, since he always showed big respect to Italy (he speaks a quite good italian too). As for Juventus being a clown team (and I am not even a Juve supporter) juventus may have got through a scandal but it’s nonetheless one of the greatest club of the world football and if you are really a freench supporter you should admit that a big credit for the French wins go to Juventus and italian serie A since many of the french players got to learn something from italian tactic. Platini, Zidane, Thuram are some examples, all juventus players and there are many more. Ask Thuram what does he think about the impact had playing in serie A on the latest French tryumphs.

Narcissus, you are right about the English league, and while I am a fan of Henry, it is only in the English league that he can star as a centre striker up front. He takes on a whole new persona in Arsenal. Playing for France against top international competition, Henry is best suited as a goal-scoring winger.

To the Henry haters:

How can you call the Portugal penalty a dive. Did you see Grosso against Australia, no contact whatsoever was made. Contact was clearly made with Henry’s shin as he attempted to follow the ball. Henry deserves his place in the all-star team and is one of the best forwards in the World. If you want to find divers and fakers, look in Italy, Argentina.

Frankrike Kmr Vinna vm Isallaah

Zidane (h)

Prophet totally agree 110%. There was contact made with Henry’s shin and I think these fools (ie one’s who recogned he dived – there is a difference,between diving and making contact noticeable) and Portugal are one of the last teams that can complain about that and thats why the majority of their team didn’t complain, caus there was CONTACT, IN the case of GROSSO there was NO CONTACT THEREFORE IT WAS A DIVE!!! He pushed off his left foot and went flying about 2 metre’s as if he was doing the long jump, it was just plain embarassing. Henry is a GREAT player and I hope he scores in the final to seal that GREATNESS!!! GO ZIDANE!!! GO HENRY!! GO VIERA! GO FRANCE!!!!!! Its 1998 all over again

Die, French haters, DIE!!

And please, all you Italian supporters out there (yes, I know they’re some of you out here). To think you have the CHEEK to speak about diving and cheating when the biggest cheater of the whole World Cup is on your team. You lost my respect entirely after the Australia game. And to Marcus, Narcissus and other Henry haters, name me a striker in the modern game that has never once made a meal out of a challenge in the area and I’ll eat my hat. Yes, it’s true the EPL is overrated sometimes, but each of the top leagues has its own strengths. Narcissus, I hope you realise how stupid you sound when you say that Henry is overrated. Whatever team you support, I suppose that they’re better than ARSENAL and BARCA because these teams know TALENT when they see one.

Prediction: France 2 Italy 1 in extra-time. And who else to score the winner, but Zizou? No prizes for guessing who is going to give the match-winning penalty away. The man who is Public Enemy No. 1 in Australia right now. Justice for Australia, glory for France.
Go Le Bleus!!!

And in reply to the original post, which has been totally disregarded thanks to certain individuals who chose to go off track entirely: Domenech has not been using Henry wisely. Full stop. A lone role upfront definitely does not suit his strengths, and therefore we have not seen the best of him in this World Cup yet.
Think of that, all you football ‘fans’ who say Henry is overrated: He has already scored THREE goals in this tournament playing in that lone striker’s role. Enough said. Let the King himself do the talking on Sunday.

Dan???? Do you watch soccer more than once every 2 years???? If you call Grosso a cheater than what is Thierry Henry?? Please have a look at the tap the Portugese player gave him to earn them a penalty ..then go have a look at the brilliant run Grosso made to earn the penalty . Objectivity is a beautiful thing and you have none. Both players played up the situation and both situations were a penalty shot according to the rules. Harsh calls in both instances yet the right one’s that few ref’s would make. At the end of the day this game is a toss up !! May the best team win!!

bahhh…everyone hate henry b’cause he got positive result from the dived. a free kick which cause the turn around result vs spain n the ultimate point vs portugal.u can see every portugal players in france penalty box try to dive, throw himself or fall like an idiot…its not our fault if they can’t do better!.”beautiful play”??, the fans only need winning, the fouls can be left aside n forgiven.

GROSSO AND ITALY ARE CHEATS 110%, Henry isn’t used to hitting the grass unlike GROSSO Who is an A GRADE CHEAT JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE ITALIANS.

No offence but everyone knows Italy practices Diving, I know there’s that comedy video going around which is bs but the fact is I was speaking to this Italian dude’s grandfather who’s like 75 now and he said that even when he played,which is like over 50 years ago they trained to Dive exactly the same way grosso did and he was ashamed really at how they won the match. CHEATS SHOULDN’T WIN, AND IN THAT MATCH ITALY DID CHEAT AND THEY DID WIN!!! Henry didn’t CHEAT he is a good player who used to always ride the tackle ride the bump and then he got sick of referee’s not giving him the penalty like vs Barcelona-when there were clear fouls made on him,now he’s gonna milk it caus he too is tired of the CHEATS and not getting penalty’s when cheats like GROSSO can not get any sorta contact and dive as if he’s doing the longjump and win penaly’s and matches!!! His decision – i’m not gonna cheat but I’m gonna show the refs that I was tapped and he was clearly TAPPED vs PORTUGAL. He is not a CHEAT, GROSSO AND ITALY ARE THE ONLY WORLD CLASS CHEATS AT THIS WC!!!

Yeah, Alberto, so if Barthez takes the ball and goes on a “brilliant run” past the whole Italian team and takes a swan dive in front of Cannavaro, he deserves a penalty, I suppose? Nice try.

Besides Portugal can hardly complain and they didn’t vs France caus they knew it was a clear and utter FOUL!!! If the player’s on the pitch didn’t have an issue with the decision or Henry,then why should the fans?

And how about you? How about even watching the Barcelona v Arsenal final and see the type of treatment Henry was getting? Or reading the papers after the Portugal-France game? In no way am I advocating diving from anyone in the game, but it was merely a case of a world-class player being frustrated with the kind of treatment he was getting throughout his career. If he DID dive, it’s inexcusable, but if you happen to have read the papers, Carvalho DID admit to making contact with him, and anyone knows that if you don’t win the ball in the area when you tackle, you run the risk of conceding a penalty. For your information, and anyone who calls Henry a cheat, count the number of times he has ‘dived’ with Arsenal. Yup. Nilch.

I am really sorry Italians got that penalty kick against Australia; I am pretty confident Italians would have won anyway as they were obviuosly the better team even playing with ten players (not to take anything away from Australia, they had a fantastic world cup as well, but they are at best in a league with teams like England, South Korea, Portugal, Spain,a B league I mean, never had a shot at going all the way). It is obvious that only teams like Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Germany, France had a chance, the usual suspects if you know what I mean. England was put up there by the media, but let’s face it , they don’t belong there.
Portugal I thought they could do it, but there is an old Romanian saying that goes: the big dog always f**** the small dog, the small dog never or only by chance f**** the big dog Henry wouldn’t have gotten that call if they played against Germany (say what you want, but that’s how it goes)

And one more question: where was the fourth referee when the call against Australia was made.
Only when they will allow a panel of experts to decide the controversial calls on video replays, only then will we be able to say we have a clean and fair game. They say it takes away from the game, yeah, it does, it takes away the mistakes, and who wants that?

Henry clearly took a big faking dive against Spain. He deserves that criticism because it was as egregious a dive as I’ve ever seen. However, he was clearly fouled in the Portugal game. The Portugal player swiped his leg after the ball had gone way out in front of Henry.

In terms of talent and ability, Henry is among the best in the game, no doubt. I bet he will be a factor against Italy, even if it’s just to draw extra attention and free someone else up at a crucial moment.

Maybe Free Drive u should learn that once upon a time Brazil didn’t have a World Cup!!! It was uruguay who was on top and neither did England or Argentina, so everyone was a small dog once upon a time. Don’t diss a team just caus they havn’t played in a cup or are new. Croatia were new in 98 and they got 3rd place remember that? Australia were the better team they just couldn’t convert and got robbed at the end, Grosso should’ve got a yellow-he was already on a yellow – RED and Italy should’ve played with 9 men. End of Story, it didn’t happen,did it cost Australia a spot in the final? I guess we will never find out, I know Australia would’ve beaten Ukraine but then again anything further is hypothetical now, all we know is ITALY CHEATED and thats FACT.

How can you say that Zidane and France have been the best for the last 10 years? In the 2002 WC France was held scoreless with the same players they have today…. Zidane did nothing for Real Madrid in is last 3 seasons and did nothing the first 3 games of this World Cup.

France made it to the final because they had weak teams in the group stage, bad calls (Puyol-Henry ect.), A lot of luck, and the teams they faced seemed to “forget” how to play good futbol… How can Korea score two goals on them then the 3 teams they face in the knockout rounds can only score 1….. These teams were the 3 strongest coming out of group play at 3-0. In fact Spain was the best team in the World Cup up until that point due to point differential.

Did France just become that good? Did these other teams just want to hand it over to Zidane because hes leaving soccer? Was it all just luck? Did FIFA have something to do with it? It just seems like there is always something going on in these World Cups. We all remember how both Italy and Spain got robbed in 2002… is France the 2006 Korea???

I hope both France and Italy plays well…. it will just be sad if Italy hands over the game to France like the last 3 teams did.

At the very least then France fans will have something to truly cheer about….. A victory that both Zidane and France truly deserved.

I truly do like France and I was a huge Zidane fan when he was in his prime… I just feel that this years World Cup should have been settled with a much stronger team than France is….

Raul

For LiverpoolFC:

I agree with you partially, but then it is exactly what happened, Italy didn’t get a second red card but a penalty, didn’t play with nine players (and that is because they are the big dog); you have to admit that Materazzi didn’t deserve a red card either though. Yes, Brazil weren’t world champions at some point in the past but those were different times, it looks almost like in a different world. The fact of the matter is that for the past forty years there is these select group of soccer powers that ever so slightly are helped at the right moment to advance to the final. Small dog has to be satisfied at the moment with third place or less.

@ shuai, so you are a bit upset with my criticism of Henry, but do you have to resort to pettiness by saying “If you don’t like a player, just shut your mouth and support the one you like”. I didn’t know that there were rules on blog sites where one MUST NOT CRITICISE a player if one doesn’t like him. Or is this just your puerile rule. I believe in freedom of expression and this includes your right to disagree with my view but don’t sit there, great wise one, and tell people to “just shut your mouth”. Have a bit more respect.

Go France, way to beat Portugal they were the shame of the tournament. Beat ITaly for the rest of the world.

Funny how Alberto is talking about objectivity!! I hope you know what does that mean.

For the first time in this tournament I am expecting Domenech to play two strikers at some point in this game. Trez maybe will be the spearhead and Henry running at defenders from deep positions, he will have more freedom in this game.
As for Zidane and Ribery, you don’t want to manmark these two players if you are Italy, because they will take their markers to places outside their tactical duties which will mess the whole italian system. If Gattuso follows Zidane as many are expecting, then that will leave a big gap in front of the defenders which Henry or Viera might exploit.

Henry is the most overrated, face-clutching baby of the cup so far

Whatever you guys talking about, I think France will kick Italians ass. 2-1

I don’t see Italy losing tonight (save some bad calls from the referee). There is this poisonous sting I expect the Italians to inflict on their opponents any time they play (there is someting about them remininscent of Caterina de Medici or Agrippina). They could play like s*** (or make you think they play like s***) the whole game and then when you think it’s all over (penalties coming or whatever), bam! they sting you…
I say Italy wins 2-0 .

Free Drive Ro:

Still wanting to see the French lose! LOL
It’s the finals man! You lose.

Win or lose, France is AMAZING! Oldest team kicked major butt!

May the best team win!

Zidane, Thuram, Vieira, Makelele….INCREDIBLE players!

Allez Les Bleus!

“Maybe Free Drive u should learn that once upon a time Brazil didn’t have a World Cup!!! It was uruguay who was on top and neither did England or Argentina, so everyone was a small dog once upon a time. Don’t diss a team just caus they havn’t played in a cup or are new. Croatia were new in 98 and they got 3rd place remember that? Australia were the better team they just couldn’t convert and got robbed at the end, Grosso should’ve got a yellow-he was already on a yellow – RED and Italy should’ve played with 9 men. End of Story, it didn’t happen,did it cost Australia a spot in the final? I guess we will never find out, I know Australia would’ve beaten Ukraine but then again anything further is hypothetical now, all we know is ITALY CHEATED and thats FACT.”

I know that’s oof topic…liverpool fc cut it off, that was a penalty, Australia had no chance to go through cos they were weakest than Italy. Croatia were new and got 3rd place? What are you talking about? they were the heir of a long time traditional team as jugoslavia. Australia would have beaten Ukraine? Noway jose, Ukraine is way better than Australia. A spot in the final? Even if Australia beat Ukraine (which i doubt) they would have been smashed by Germany.
Cut it off, Australia is not going to get to a semifinal before this century is done.

roger : no rules… just critism isn’t a “positive attitude”. Henry has nothing to prove.

henry is one of the best players in the world no one should judge him and I agree that the french are going to beat those Frankies asses

i still think that henry and trezeguet would make a great duo..=)

For LOL: France lost a long time ago (quite a few years back when they stopped producing good players like Platini and started using imports).
I support the latin teams (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Romania), so the Italians are my favourites this time. Forza Italia!

PS: Don’t tell me the team representing France is latin too!

this world cup has being one of the best and i will also like to comment one Henry well i know he can do better but i think the formation in with france is using is not favouring him.

Henry is a PANSY! He ran into the italian defender and almost fainted…
He is a complete disgrace to real football players. I think that Henry and all of his sensitive kind who like to draw fouls should either switch careers and move to hollywood or join the women’s national team… but then again, the women may be too tough for them.

ZIZOU WAS RITE TO HIT MATERAZZI, HE PROBABLY SAID SOMETHING REALLY STUPID

What a dumb thing to say. Even if Materazzi did say something stupid Zidane is a pro and should’ve walked away and end his career on a high. France may even have won the penalty shoot out if Zidane had taken one instead of Trezuguet. I think France (choke!) deserved it on their second half performance.

Mike, you’re right. That was no way to end and era. He should have known better. I believe six years ago he went flying feet first into a spectator that was upsetting him? Could be a lie.

Zidane did the right thing because materazzi did say something harass to zidane

If everybody did the “right thing” when he is verbally harassed in a soccer match, then we’d be seeing red flags left and right and by the end of the second half, there’d be like 6 players in the field. Neither coach would be there, too.

So, no, Zidane did not do the right thing. Period.

Zidane is a crazy cat why wouldnt he just materazzi in the face or something what is in his head like knifes? But italy is better except sagnol that kid is amazing and henry probaly ribery too. GO NEW ENGLAND REVOULTION

that game is gonna start a war i hope u all no but italy would win france dont surrender!

whoever that autumn person is shut up u dont know anything about soccer just die!

french magition ZIDANE best french player in all history the ediot stupied italain matarizzi player said to zidane somethin about his religon and zidane got angry, becuase it is so rude to say somethin about other people religon and zidane kick his U KNOW and i am happy what zadain the french migation GO ZIDANE GO

some guy is stupid

please some guy shut up, you don’t know neither the shipe of the ball

Italy deserved the cup and gattuso didn’t let Zidane touch the ball, maybe this is the reason of his madness.

TONI
THANK YOU FOR KISSING MY ASS
I LOVE ZIDANE I WILL SUCK HIS D*CK
YOU KNOW ME ITALIANA LOVE SUCKING D*CK OF A HOT GUY LIKE ZIDANE

AARON I’M HOME ALONE YOU WANNA BRING YOUR SISTER AND COME PLAY
HIDE AND SEEK?
HOW BIG IS YOUR D*CK?
IF IT’S SMALL FORGET ABOUT IT

WE WON
STOP KISSING OUR ASS
THANK YOU

italia rita ur not italian ur jsut a big faget and real italians dont talk like that u big ass clown

RITA SUCKS MONKEY WANG

AARON
ARE YOU JALOUS BABY?

AARON
HOW BIG IS YOUR DI*CK?
1 INCH
WOW

RITA
LESS THAN THAT
AARON PROBABLY DOES NOT HAVE A DI*K

hey rita maybe u should learn how to spell for you type anything and the guy who says f**k the pope is gonna get ass raped forever by satan so u have a good one rita has a penis