3SOF

finally, nice party again in Germany 

wow...it's penalty time in the finals....sad to see the champions being decided this way...but oh well! it was one heck of a game...and Zidane...what a disappointment! (especially after that glorious header only to be saved the keeper). he deserved the red card nevertheless.

i have my bets on italy. 

  as exprected but until the red card, France was the better team

Can't believe what Zidane had done.  Of all the great things he had done for football he will be remembered by his last act.  His last game and he had to bow out this way.

He was constantly mentioned in the same league as Maradona and Pele.  World Champion, European Champion, Champions League winner, three times voted as best player in the world...

Maradona made his "Hand of God" thing and the fans forgave him (unless of course if your British).  I hope Zidane will be forgiven.

The referees, at least for once, had the game under control.

Congratulations to Italy.

Good thing none of the French players perpetuated the stereotype that the French are arogant..... and quitters.........

I couldn't imagine what that player said to Zindane to make him behave like that.

"I bet you don't have the balls to head butt me in the chest and get thrown out of the game"?

BTW.....The Italians invented futbol.

 
The reason the French lost the World Cup of Soccer was because they were waiting for the US to bail them out in overtime.

I just checked my French dictionary, and Zinedine Zidane means 'Bill Buckner' in English' -
Mike Martino, Glen Cove

Of course he was provoked, but nevertheless...

Materazzi: 'Zidane deserves Golden Ball'
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1819481,00.html

I still can't believe what Zidane did...I was disgusted by his act. He is a top paid professional soccer player, playing his last game ever and in the final moments of a World Cup game he decides to act like a little child on playground. How could he do that to his country and his fans? He could have possibly lost the cup for his country and has now ended his illustrious carreer  with this big black mark on it rather then as a complete hero, applauded by all. Did it not cross his mind to perhaps just retaliate verbally or even perhaps confront the refs with Materrazzi's remark if it was so intolerable? Could he not have waited until after this most important game has ended to challenge Materazzi on his remark? It doesn't even matter what Matterazzi said, he was just trying to rile Zidane...and boy did it work. Not to defend Materazzi, but thats part of the game, pyschology warfare is a big part of the game and one has to know how handle it so that it doesn't end up costing u and ur team. Wow...he handled that in the most retarded and unprofessional way...if I was a French fan or teammate of his, I would be totatally pissed at his reckless reaction.

And he admits he does not regret what he did? Really....wow..I regret what he did...and I'm of Italian background and of course am thrilled that Italy won. But, I would have preferred that Zidane did not react stupidly and was able to end his carreer proudly fighting it out on the field playing soccer and chosing not to succumb to his machismo. 

He deserved that red card and he should be ashamed of his action...what a terrible example he has set for young people who want to play this game. Well, hopefully at least they have a learned a lesson as what not to do and can see the consequences of actions like that.

But, I have to say...all though I think he was a complete idiot for doing what he did...he sure is a hottie!

Yay Italy!

Maybe he was just bored, like I was.  It was a sloppy game.

the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!