World Cup and European leagues

[Ralph Turner]

There is a very enjoyable article about all the flopping at ESPNsoccernet:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373195&root=worldcup&cc=5901&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Thanks Hoosier Titan.  How would be the equitable use of instant replay?  A post-match yellow card for the dubious dive?  Contemporaneous review while the diva is lying on the ground?  The longer the diva is on the ground, the longer the replay crew has to review the film loop! 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I still advocate a replay official for goals, PKs, and (at least red) cards - in all cases there is sufficient stoppage of play anyway that the replay official would not interrupt the running clock.

If this still seems to have more downside than up to others, the solution in the article that HT linked seems like a good one - a lengthy suspension after the game for those caught CLEARLY cheating on tape.  But that wouldn't prevent miscarriages of justice in the match itself.  I suspect that it would, however, pretty quickly clean up much of the diving - except PERHAPS for the finals of major championships, who is going to risk a major suspension (and attendant humiliation and loss of income) to gain advantage in a single game?

[Mr. Ypsi]

HT,

Nice find on that Henry quote: "Maybe next time I'll learn to dive, but I'm not a woman."  My question: did he change his mind or his sex?

HT,

The guy who wrote the article you linked to must be a lurker - he used your quote, then stole my line!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I'll stick my neck out for the semis (though before calling your bookie, you may want to note that I was 1 of 4 for the quarters !):

Germany-Italy: Italy has STILL not yielded a goal to an opponent (only the own goal against USA), but Germany has seemed nearly unstoppable and is the home team (will they get the home calls?) - I'll call it Germany, 2-1.

France-Portugal: Portugal returns Deco and Costinho, but loses Petit (a pretty good trade in fortunes); I don't think France will be missing anyone, will they?  Zidane is suddenly 34-going-on-26, there is as yet no provision for retroactively suspending Henry, and I think Ribery may be due for a break-out: France, 2-0.

[gobombers15]

Semis Predictions:

Germany v. Italy- I'm going to have to disagree with Mr. Ypsi. I don't think Germany would score two goals on Buffon and that Italian defense if they hade 180 minutes to do it. In my opinion, that's the best goalkeeper in the world right now coupled with the best defense. Luca Toni scores one late in the first half and the Italians ride it out like they always do. Final: Italy 1, Germany 0.

Portugal v. France- This game will be far more entertaining than the Germany/Italy game. I think you'll see both teams play a more wide open style. The return of Deco will be a huge lift for the Portuguese but I don't think it's enough. Over/Under on the combined amount of times Figo and Christiano Ronaldo scream at the referee: 12.5. I'm taking over. I think Henry scores in the last 15 minutes and France holds off a game Portuguese side. Final: France 2, Portugal 1.

[Hoosier Titan]

  How would be the equitable use of instant replay?  A post-match yellow card for the dubious dive?  Contemporaneous review while the diva is lying on the ground?  The longer the diva is on the ground, the longer the replay crew has to review the film loop! 

Ralph, were you picking up Henry's implied change of gender with the use of "diva?"     I liked the article because it did use Ypsi's suggestion.  (My final reaction to Henry's remark is that it's unbelievably irrelevant.  If Mia Hamm wanted to take a dive, she'd do it better than he did--but she rarely did).

OS, I too find Rooney's protestations of innocence very hard to believe, especially given his history of anger management problems.  He needs to be on a very short leash if he's going to learn some self-control.

I think Italy's luck (or bribery) will run out, and they'll lose to Germany 1-0.  France looked awesome against Brazil; I think they will take Portugal 2-0.  I like France over Germany in the final.

[Mr. Ypsi]

After further study, I was going to amend my earlier prediction on Germany-Italy, but I'll respond to gobombers15 instead.

I'm not at all sure that Germany can score two goals against Italy, but aside from their inexplicable match against Costa Rica, the Germans have only given up one goal (and that to Argentina, hardly a disgrace).  New Prediction: Germany 1, Italy 0.  (Though either 0-0 or 1-1 would not surprise me, and I have no clue who has the advantage on PKs.)

Raise your hand if you think the US will make an all-out effort for Klinsmann.

Though personally, I'd prefer they go after Hiddink.

[Stinger]

Id love them to get Hiddink. Don't know how long his deal with the Russians is.

I like the Germans 2-1 over Italy. I never would have thought the Italians could score 3 goals in a game as they did against Ukraine. But I guess I was forgetting their 4-1 thrashing of Germany back in March. That was a low point for Klinsmann, and he's obviously turned them around. I think the Germans will have revenge on their minds.

Lippi's remarks on the German side: http://kaedrin.com/fun/wav/germans.wav

[Mr. Ypsi]

Good grief, what a finish!!!

Italy scored 2 (TWO!) goals in the last 2 minutes of OT to win 2-0!

[cawcdad]

WOW! What a hard fought game by both sides. The winning goal was a thing of beauty. I can leave on vacation now, the U.S. and Germany are both done. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

WOW! What a hard fought game by both sides. The winning goal was a thing of beauty. I can leave on vacation now, the U.S. and Germany are both done. 

Agreed about the winning goal - it may even be THE goal of the Cup so far (certainly in the top 5).

[gobombers15]

WOW! What a hard fought game by both sides. The winning goal was a thing of beauty. I can leave on vacation now, the U.S. and Germany are both done. 

Agreed about the winning goal - it may even be THE goal of the Cup so far (certainly in the top 5).

If the importance of the goal factors in, it would certainly be right there. However, for my money, Argentina's OT winner against Mexico was the best. Full volley off the chest, bad angle, bent into the top corner. Unreal.

[Mr. Ypsi]

WOW! What a hard fought game by both sides. The winning goal was a thing of beauty. I can leave on vacation now, the U.S. and Germany are both done. 

Agreed about the winning goal - it may even be THE goal of the Cup so far (certainly in the top 5).

If the importance of the goal factors in, it would certainly be right there. However, for my money, Argentina's OT winner against Mexico was the best. Full volley off the chest, bad angle, bent into the top corner. Unreal.

Not sure how I forgot about the Argentine OT goal (since I posted at the time that it was one of the prettiest goals I had ever seen)!  Other possible contenders for top 5 goals of the Cup would include Beckham's free kick goal against Ecuador (though that may merit a different category since, of course, no one was defensing him) and the Beasley to Dempsey goal against Ghana.  I'd also submit Henry's goal to beat Brazil - not for the goal itself (I think many of US could have scored the goal!), but for the unbelievably perfect pass from Zidane which made the goal so easy.

Other nominees?

[Greek Tragedy]

As I agree that Argentina's goal in extra time against Mexico was a great goal, I don't understand why everyone passes over Joe Cole's goal against Sweden(?) in England's game.

I had not seen the Argentina's goal live and actually took me awhile to see the goal...and how awesome, unbelievable etc it was.  But, in my view, Joe Cole's goal was basically the same. Chesting it down and volleying to the far post. 

Did no one see that goal???  I don't think the Argentina's goal was that much better...except for the cicumstances. 

Great game today.  I went and watched the Brewers beat the Reds at Miller Park and I taped the game.  We ate out at Applebee's afterwards and had to find a table away from a TV to avoid seeing any scores (ticker, high lights etc).  My friend and I got home and watched it immediately without watching any other TV or going on the internet!  Glad I did because I would've thought for sure the game was going to PKs.  Thank goodness it didn't.  Two well taken goals and I think Italy deserved it.  They hit a post and a crossbar in the first 15 minute extra time period and just looked more dangerous.

[Mr. Ypsi]

OS,

I didn't see that goal (when the matches were two-a-day, everyday, I passed on several games - gotta pretend to still have a life!) - if it was anywhere near the Argentine goal, it probably deserves a top 5 ranking.  (I'll move Beckham's free kick to a special category to make room. )