A great win for Italy. Also, as bad as we were, we tied the World Cup champions and, amazingly, were the only team that ITA did not beat in the Tournament. Hard to believe.
I disagree (I do think the French were the better team, however), but it was a wide-open game with a lot of tension. And, whenever the Italians take kicks and make them, well, that's classic right there.
Certainly no classic...but unless Irish suggests they play another (which I'm not completely opposed to) PKs is about as fair or unfair as continuing overtime with no additional subs. While Italy is no team for the ages...France was poorly led and has second rate keeping. They should count themselves fortunate Brazil was too bored to play.
It was a classic until the red card incident then it seemed to lose some of its luster. What cannot be taken away from this is that for 110 minutes it was an epic struggle. Flop in the box got a penalty for France... Great header got one back for Italy .... then back and forth with the Italians slowly getting drained and holding on for dear life. then something obviously bad happened....something provoked this act... but the spark was gone... for the final 10 the crowd booed every touch by an italian.
since we have known the final two, I have predicted the French but an Italian side that scrambled for 110 minutes to defend deserved the win... If matterazzi did say anything then he needs to be banned for life full stop but ZZ should have kept his head being the captain and what was at stake.
His actions punished his fellow players and cost them the title
I do think it is a very good WC final. Italian played the first half with a lot of fire. French controlled the second half and most of the extension time.
I'm not suggesting play another... Bring back Golden Goal rule. You play until someone scores period and that way no whinning, no excuses, you score, you win! And not because say someone misses a PK or the other goalie saved one because he is taller. How many people think Coupet saves 1 or 2 shots? I mean Barthez guessed right 4 of the 5 shots, but because he is under 6.0ft, I think a taller goalie with longer arms would have made a difference. But who cares, PK shootout is a classless way to decide a winner. You are professionals so play until you score...
Irish ... yes but PK's have been in place for a very long time and have been used for a very long time and are used to stop a match from lasting for four hours. We have all seen during these finals games that have gone to the 120 minute mark and most of the players cant walk let alone run, this has the effect of causing injury as well
irish, Well I don't like the pk resolution either. However, playing on unitl a goal is scored might lead to endless games and drained players. In the modern day, there has to be a result on the day.
Why would you waste 120 minutes of football?!?!! Allow for three more subs, remove one player from each side and play 15 minutes more!! The more I reflect on this game, the more I'm incensed that the players shut down for the PK phase.
Its girlie-ball, not football. How can anyone who watches the NHL playoffs (even the World Youth Championsip was better!) respect these sisssies who fall so easily. I don't care if this is the world's sport, these guys are punks who lack gonads. . .stand up and be accounted! KEEP PLAYING!!!
I think Zindane was frustrated and tired...that is all. The French then tried a clean up..racial slur. Yeah right. Algerian...what was he called..towel head?
No. The second half the Itals changed to defence...not my choice because it looked like they could have easily out scored the French on offense. They backed up and gave alot of room to Zindane and all he caould do was play with the ball and tire himself, which he did. Frustration with not being allowed and good chances(only his header which he #### up)and he knew it was his last game so why not take himself and Materazi out with him. Only surpriese was Matterazi got back in.
Shot to the heart area like that could have been deadly! Do not discount that. It was assault and battery not bad sportsmanship. Now he will alwys be remembered by this...rightly so. French soccer has been discgraced because all they could do is rationalize this. They were lucky the score was not 2-0 which it should have been. Well..result the same anyway.
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