World Cup and European leagues

[Mr. Ypsi]

The 3rd place game turned out to be arguably the most entertaining match of the Cup - if not for truly outstanding keeping by both Kahn and Ricardo, the 3-1 German victory could easily have been about 6-4!

A new candidate has been added for 'goal of the Cup' - Gomes flat-out diving header for Portugal's only goal.  All it lacked was the importance, since his side was down 3 goals with mere minutes to play.

Poor Petit had a most trying day - he was the defender beaten by Schweinsteiger on both his goals, AND he scored an own goal - ouch!!  (Germany avoided an own goal only by sheer good fortune - a defender tried to clear with a header, but sent it straight at the goal.  Kahn had no time to react at all, but the ball hit him and bounced away.)

Ronaldo's reputation is starting to cost him and his team.  He had two very convincing dives in the box (only slow-mo replay showed them to be dives) and got the call on neither.  I think most players, given how convincing they looked at match speed, would have gotten PKs.  It may be years (if ever) before he starts getting the benefit of the doubt on close calls, which will probably include a number of legimate penalties that won't be called.

[Hoosier Titan]

The 3rd place game turned out to be arguably the most entertaining match of the Cup - if not for truly outstanding keeping by both Kahn and Ricardo, the 3-1 German victory could easily have been about 6-4!

A new candidate has been added for 'goal of the Cup' - Gomes flat-out diving header for Portugal's only goal.  All it lacked was the importance, since his side was down 3 goals with mere minutes to play.

I was thinking that about the goal too.  Figo's pass was perfect, as was the finish.  But, as you say, it came at an anticlimactic moment.

Another good footie film--the original Fever Pitch, based on the novel by Nick Hornby.  It was remade as a baseball film about the Red Sox--the pun is different, but it still works.  I haven't seen the baseball version.

[sac]

Hey Dave,  Rooney got what he deserved, red card, suspension and fine.  No one's defending Rooney.  It was pointed out to me that during the particular incident in question 3 players pushed Ronaldo away.  Rooney, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.........all Man U teamates.

Ronaldo has a reputation, he is much hated even prior to this years world cup, there's a good film out on the net with the fans reaction to his face being shown on the screen at Euro 04 during the Portuguese anthem..........in Portugal.  Speaks volumns.

www.Ihateronaldo.com

my personal favorite

http://www.ronaldo-is.com/i-hate-ronaldo-free-pics.php?id=11

[cawcdad]

Mr. Ypsi beat me to the punch regarding C. Ronaldo's dives. He even did his usual whine for a call but the ref said, "play on." I will give CRon some credit here for learning. Two dives and whines, no call, no more dives! Although he had the opportunity on a couple of occasions. One more comment on the youngster from Portugal, I think he has gone to the well one too many times with his step over move. It is pretty and he has quick feet, but he tried it several times and the German defenders simply held their ground.

Props to the Germans for a very well played game. What a great curtain call for Kahn. Klinsmann did a good job in that every player got some playing time in the tournament.

[sac]

Germany made a great showing in this tournament and deserves #3 if not better.  A different draw and they're  probably in the Final.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Kahn certainly showed today that his performance in 2002 was no fluke.  He had more GREAT saves today than I think any other keeper has done (most have been only lightly tested).

Despite Germany's 3 goals, Ricardo was nearly as good (a lesser performance would have yielded 6 or 7 goals).  The last 2 goals were unstoppable for ANY keeper (barring sheer blind luck); only the first was arguably his fault, but I could swear it curved one way and then back the other!

[foul_language]

It's hard to believe that CRon is getting so much grief for his diving, when diving was the theme of the games--until today's match. I was greatly impressed with the restraint on the field. I honestly wondered if players had been reading posts on D3sports and, out of pure shame, decided to play soccer. Tackles or nudges that, in any of the other games, would have resulted in dramatic flops, followed by last-gasp theatrics were hopped over and play hustled on. You don't think this site is the official reading material of the World Cup, do you? (I didn't see the banner anywhere...)

Anyway, CRon plays some pretty good soccer. He's quick, he's innovative, he's chancey. Of course he dives; precious few players didn't. It was refreshing--if not revolutionary--to see players pass up opportunities to dive in earlier games.

One wonders if Portugal overlooked Schweinsteiger. I bet they won't ever do that again.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Hey Dave,  Rooney got what he deserved, red card, suspension and fine.  No one's defending Rooney.  It was pointed out to me that during the particular incident in question 3 players pushed Ronaldo away.  Rooney, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand.........all Man U teamates.

Ronaldo has a reputation, he is much hated even prior to this years world cup, there's a good film out on the net with the fans reaction to his face being shown on the screen at Euro 04 during the Portuguese anthem..........in Portugal.  Speaks volumns.

www.Ihateronaldo.com

my personal favorite

http://www.ronaldo-is.com/i-hate-ronaldo-free-pics.php?id=11

You favorite site loaded fine (the cartoon is great, though in fairness to CRon, he does a MUCH better job of 'selling it' most of the time!), but the other link came back 'server not found'.  If he actually gets booed IN PORTUGAL during national team games, that is just sad.

In talent, he and Rooney may already be among the world's top 10 players (and right near the top for the youngsters), but they really risk becoming pariahs if they don't grow up quickly.  And pariahs tend to receive career-ending injuries ('accidentally', of course).

[Greek Tragedy]

Germany made a great showing in this tournament and deserves #3 if not better.  A different draw and they're  probably in the Final.

Uh?  They beat Sweden and Argentina in their top half of the bracket.  Coming out of the 1st round, it looked like Argentina was going to be the toughest game, the way they were playing.  The bottom half of their bracket?  Aside from Italy, the other teams were Australia, Switzerland and the Ukraine.  Almost scary.

On the other hand, the other bracket had England, Holland, Portugal, Brazil, Spain and France.

Germany was two minutes from going to PKs.  I'm thinking Germany liked their draw.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I was just looking over Germany's roster - mein Gott, they really ARE young!  By the 2010 Cup, Neuville will be 37, Schneider and Nowotny both 36 - maybe they are gone?  Ballack and Frings will be pushing 34 (i.e., younger than Zidane is now!); every other field player will be in their prime, or still approaching it!  (Today's hero, Schweinsteiger, will not even turn 22 until next month!)

The only question is in goal.  Oliver Kahn retired after what may have been the greatest 'curtain call' in the history of the Cup (think Pele after the Cosmos, inserted into a consolation game and getting a hat trick).  Jens Lehmann is less than 5 months younger than Kahn!  He will be over 40 by the South African Cup.  Anyone know anything about #3 keeper Timo Hildebrand (club team: Stuttgart), or any up-and-coming keepers for the Germans?

It's too early to be forecasting d3 bball, so it is obviously ridiculously too early to be forecasting the 2010 World Cup, but I would think the Germans have to be the favorites IF they have a world-class keeper.

[Greek Tragedy]

The only question is in goal.  Oliver Kahn retired after what may have been the greatest 'curtain call' in the history of the Cup

I would've liked to have seen Klinsmann sub out Kahn in injury time since the result wasn't in doubt.  The standing "O" he would've gotten would've been amazing.  You see that in other American sports where the coach takes the player out and the crowd goes wild. 

It's too early to be forecasting d3 bball, so it is obviously ridiculously too early to be forecasting the 2010 World Cup, but I would think the Germans have to be the favorites IF they have a world-class keeper.

Argentina would also be a favorite.  I think I remember something where only 3 players on the 2006 roster were on the 2002 roster...Not sure about South Africa, but the African teams as a whole have improved greatly and one of those 6 teams could be a contender (host team + 5 qualifiers).  There will also be a youth movement in Brazil with the aging stars finally retiring.

[gobombers15]

France over Italy, 1-0.

As great as Buffon is--and he is the best keeper in the world--I just don't see a keeper giving up ZERO goals (only one own goal thus far) for an entire World Cup. As much as the Italian fans will wish to cite France's less-than-stellar 1-0 victory over Portugal, keep in mind that the Italians were the beneficiaries of a questionable, at best, call against the Socceroos. I think this game will be a little more wide-open than people think. I laugh at the predictions that see more than one goal in this game. Both sides have tremendous defenses that will be able to hold a 1-0 lead. While Italy has given up just the one own-goal to the United States, France has surrendered just two goals: a PK following a poor call by the referee where the Spain forward had his back to goal, 17 yards away and in a position that was far from dangerous and a very soft goal to the South Koreans in the waning moments of that game. Needless to say, I don't see either goal being repeated in this final.

This one could very well be decided in penalties (god, I hope not). However, I see Ribery streaking down the wing, firing a low far-post shot that is deflected away by Buffon but right to the feet of Henry who buries it at the 40 minute mark. I think it would benefit France to play a second forward against the Italian defense. Lord knows Trezeguet is fresh. Les Bleus will take it.

[Stinger]

Fever Pitch is classic. Colin Firth is great in that movie. What about Sly Stallone in Victory?  THere is also an excellent documentary out there about the North Korean  side that played in England '66. It's called The Game of Their Lives (same title of the movie of the 1950 US team). It's a fascintating film, and gives you an insiders look into North Korea. The Koreans beat Italy and shouldve beaten Portgual

[sac]

OS---all I meant was Germany could have made the final with a better semi-final draw.  Italy was imo the toughest of the 3 teams Germany could have faced because of their D.  Germany beats France or Portugal.  Infact it might play out that Germany/Italy should have been the final.

Dispite their tendency to flop Italy is  a solid talented bunch, it really shouldn't be surprising to see them in the final given their form leading into the Cup.

....but I'm rooting for France and no penalty kicks.

[Grutte Dirk]

Zidane's head butt, unbelievable.

How do you screw your team like that in this game, the game-of-games?