I got some comments on my last posting. JOHN said that it would be pathetic to raise the question that a remark made by a player should be punished by changing the result of the game.
I have to say: It's not me who demands that. It's FIFA's Disciplinary Code.
But I'd like to raise another question: As players at WC level serve as role models for millions of kids around this planet shouldn't they be more aware of that? Zidane gave a terrible example on how to react to whatever Materazzi said. How long until a kid at school does the same thing - referring to Zizou?
And if Materazzi said something rasict how should the Italian Federation or FIFA go about it?
Of course nobody wants to rip Italy off their well deserved title. But isn't it absurd to have all those anti-racism campaigns surrounding the Cup if the major protagonists themselves act differently?
PS: I don't say Materazzi made such a remark - I'm talking if ANY player did so.
ITALY
Gianluigi Buffon - Ganluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso - Simone Perrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Mauro Camoranesi, Francesco Totti - Luca Toni
FRANCE
Fabien Barthez - Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal - Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, Franck Ribery, Zinedine Zidane, Florent Malouda - Thierry Henry
Out of 40 players FIFA's Technical Study Group named Lukas Podolski "Best Young Player at the World Cup". Bayern Munich's Podolski beat five other players who made it to the final voting.
Portugal's Chrisitano Ronaldo - starting player for Manchester United at age 21 - was runner-up to the title. Nobody doubts his technical skill. Unfortunately at this WC it was the diving and selfishness that put him in the spotlight.
The other contenders were Ecuador's Luis Valencia, Spain's Cesc Fabregas and Argentina's Lionel Messi, the later two hardly got a chance to show their brilliance though.
Which other players do you think deserved to be considered?
On the French side it's of course mastermind Zinedine Zidane. But also Patrick Vieira, he was one of France's best performers so far.
Portugal's Deco is back to oull the strings in the Portuguese game. They surely missed him against England. What can old Figo pull off tonight? Can he lead the team to the final?
And watch out for two young strikers, Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo and France's Frank Ribery. Ribery is the shooting star of the "Equipe Tricolore" and with only 23 the youngest player on the french team. Ronaldo can still become the star of the tournament. But he only has two more games to prove it.
PORTUGAL
Ricardo - Miguel, Fernando Meira, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente - Costinha, Maniche, Deco - Luis Figo, Pauleta, Cristiano Ronaldo
FRANCE
Fabien Barthez - Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal - Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, Franck Ribery, Zinedine Zidane, Florent Malouda - Thierry Henry
Grosso did the magic. Del Piero gives Germany the rest. 2-0 for the Azzurri. The WC host loses for the first time at the Westfalen, yet another time against mighty Italy.
What more can I say - Italy hit the bar twice and scored two goals. This fantastic game comes to an end. The Westfalen is cheering for the German team anyway. Who would have thought before the WC, that this young German team would have come this far.
Anyway, I wanted to see my Mannschaft in the final - next try in 2010.
is taking over the left wing (for Borowski). This will bring more live to that side. Maybe Klinsmann will bring in Odonkor for the the right side a little later. This way Germany could outflank the strong Italian defense.
In Germany, I am a rock star, however for the next 31 days I will become the 'Mannschaft'. A finely tuned piece of engineering. Come and listen to my engine purr.
