World Cup and European leagues

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Isn't this a little late in forming?

Germany 3, Portugal 1.

Italy over France on a cheeky call from the ref (having been previously paid off by Silvio Berlusconi) 2-1.  Somehow I feel at least one PK will be involved.

If the officiating is fair, I say France 2-1.

[Hoosier Titan]

I can't see why Portugal insists upon flopping and whining.  Like the Italians, they have enough talent to win playing straight up, but unlike the Italians, they never gave up the crying game.

It will be interesting to see what Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Man U. is like (he's the one who asked the ref for the red card on Rooney and winked at the bench afterward).  Not that Rooney didn't deserve the red card--but I doubt there will be much love for C. Ronaldo at Old Trafford. 

I am still pulling for France; I hope they are more attack-minded for the entire game on Sunday, as I think they will need to be against Buffon.

[ScotsFan]

Professionals sure make it look easy...and sometimes they make a total hash of it as well.  There have been plenty of goal opportunities I've seen this World Cup where I've asked myself, "How they heck did you miss that?!"  So, I'll stop short of saying, "That Henry goal, anyone could've done that!"  

OS,  you are so correct.  Henry made that goal look easy as he is supposed to do.  But he could have just as easily shanked it like Figo did with his wide open header that would have tied the yesterday's game.  Even the great ones have trouble finishing.

[Flea]

It will be interesting to see what Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Man U. is like (he's the one who asked the ref for the red card on Rooney and winked at the bench afterward).  Not that Rooney didn't deserve the red card--but I doubt there will be much love for C. Ronaldo at Old Trafford. 

Don't you think a huge majority of the fans realize the players need to do what they can to win in the Cup . . . and that their actions would not carry over to the professional leagues?

[Flea]

3rd . . . Portugal 1 -- Germany 0

final . . . Italy 2 -- France 1

[Oval]

final - Italy over France in penalty kicks (1-1 at the end of overtime, 2-4)
3rd place goes to Germany 2 (Portugal 1)

[hawk'ster]

third . . . Portugal (penalty kicks)
final . . . France (3-1)

[Preto]

final: Italy 3, France 2
3rd:  Germany 1, Portugal 0

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

It will be interesting to see what Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Man U. is like (he's the one who asked the ref for the red card on Rooney and winked at the bench afterward).  Not that Rooney didn't deserve the red card--but I doubt there will be much love for C. Ronaldo at Old Trafford. 

Don't you think a huge majority of the fans realize the players need to do what they can to win in the Cup . . . and that their actions would not carry over to the professional leagues?

I think the fact that CRon was booed by the impartial Germans at the France-Portugal match might be telling.  Every true football fan I know has remarked at how arrogant and whinny he is, especially for only being 21 years old.  He's already asked for a move to Spain.  That would probably be best; I think he sealed his fate in England with that one move.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

There's no way that final is high scoring unless there are three red cards given out.  Italy hasn't allowed a goal (outside of the one they put in against themselves vs the US) the whole tournament and France plays with essentially six defensemen in their standard line-up.

[Cowman]

Italy 1 .... France 0
Germany  ... Portugal 1

[Grutte Dirk]

THIRD Portugal 2 over Germany 1

FINAL Italy 1 over France 0

[Bushop]

final - Italy 1-nill
3rd - Germany 2-nill

[Harrier]

Portugal 2 / Germany 1
Italy 2 / France 0

[Hoosier Titan]

It will be interesting to see what Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Man U. is like (he's the one who asked the ref for the red card on Rooney and winked at the bench afterward).  Not that Rooney didn't deserve the red card--but I doubt there will be much love for C. Ronaldo at Old Trafford. 

Don't you think a huge majority of the fans realize the players need to do what they can to win in the Cup . . . and that their actions would not carry over to the professional leagues?

I think the fact that CRon was booed by the impartial Germans at the France-Portugal match might be telling.  Every true football fan I know has remarked at how arrogant and whinny he is, especially for only being 21 years old.  He's already asked for a move to Spain.  That would probably be best; I think he sealed his fate in England with that one move.

I think that HF has nailed it.  There was way too much whistling and booing last night to have been due just to whatever English supporters might have stayed in Germany.  And I don't think most true football fans would call his begging the ref for a card and then winking about it necessary to win the game.  Hitting the penalty shot, yes. 

Perhaps of interest--an article on ESPNsoccernet quoting Franz Beckenbauer, former coach of West Germany in 1974, on diving in the game.  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=373449&cc=5901  A brief quote:  'None of us in the game wants these incidents. The players are seeking to gain an unfair advantage and attempt to exploit every situation.  The referees are there to correct this kind of misconduct, but the players do not make it easy for the referees.  If I was a referee I would also show the yellow card to any player who signalled to the ref with an imaginary card to get an opponent booked. That is also cheating.'  Evidently FIFA and UEFA are planning a conference of coaches, referees, and players' representatives in September and diving is on the agenda.

I am quite sure that the "huge majority" of Man U. supporters will want nothing more to do with C. Ronaldo, and I think moving to Spain would be the best thing he could do.