Zidane's Headbutt Discussion and also some stuff on that FIFA World Cup 2006 thing

[Cz]

I don't know. But it's the second time mistakes help the Italians. Against Ghana, Simon (the referee) ignored 2 penalties against Italy. Coincidence?

Of course it's a coincidence. You're not suggesting that there's some huge worldwide conspiracy to guide Italy to the World Cup, are you? The Italians have been rather fortunate at times, true. But they've also had two players sent off in the tournament so far, and have generally played a good standard of football. If you ask me, they would have gone on to beat Australia in extra time anyway, so it's hardly as if the Italians have progressed solely because of poor decisions.

[Russielloyd]

Well they have, haven't they.

[Doomie]

Wow, nobody likes Italy, huh? I guess I'm alone to defend them.

1. There isn't play by play. Referees have one look, and they go by that one look. Don't complain that Italy are cheaters because referees are human. And we both know that had the same call been made for YOUR favorite team, then you'd probably be doing what I'm doing right now.

I don't know. But it's the second time mistakes help the Italians. Against Ghana, Simon (the referee) ignored 2 penalties against Italy. Coincidence?

Actually yes, considering that that chances of both "penalties" of capitalizing in goals was very slim. There have been much worse calls made.

The fact that the Italians have so much going on aside, and can still manage to play the game is worth something.

The Australians had FORTY minutes to score a goal on a bad. Italy was down one player and they couldn't score. Neill played a great game, but was in the wrong place. Every commentator/analyst/(ME) would agree with the call.

Note: although the last one may have been biased.

[dragoonknight_kain]

It's obvious it's coincidence, but it's already 2 games they only won because of mistakes, out of 4. And I doubt they'd win in extra time, as they're were playing with only 10 players. Maybe Australia wouldn't score, so the game would probably be decided on p.ks.

[Doomie]

It's obvious it's coincidence, but it's already 2 games they only won because of mistakes, out of 4. And I doubt they'd win in extra time, as they're were playing with only 10 players. Maybe Australia wouldn't score, so the game would probably be decided on p.ks.

They didn't win against Ghana because of mistakes. They won against Ghana because they ACTUALLY played the better game.

[dragoonknight_kain]

The better team doesn't always win. Argentina vs Ivory Coast showed us that. Argentina had 3 chances, scored twice.

Anyway, I guess everyone wants Italy out. It'll be Italy vs Switzerland/Ukraine, if I'm not mistaken, so it's their problem now.

[Resha]

I wish someone would score already. This game is singularly boring in its lack of goals.

Agh, and the ref. is almost unbelievably lenient. I can't believe he didn't give a thing for that blatant handball by Voronin (sp?). Why is Senderos not playing? Either way -- I hope Switzerland win. It's looked a pretty even match as far as I could tell -- maybe the Swiss are slightly better. I'm biased.

Edit: PENALTY SHOOT OUTS. AAHEGHAAGH. Finally.

[Cz]

Why is Senderos not playing?

Injury, I think.

A poor game from start to finish, but a penalty shootout is always interesting viewing. I'll go for the Ukraine in this one, even though it's pretty much all luck from here on.

[Doomie]

Dullest game so far.

[Resha]

HAHAHAHA SHEVCHENKO *glee*

Edit: Ugh if this turns into a penalty shootout deadlock ;___; I will kill.

[Old Manus]

Didn't I say on the fantasy football before the tournament even started 'UKRAINE FTW'?

[Cz]

You don't see many penalty shoot-outs like that, that's for sure.

[Resha]

The Swiss are going home without having conceded a single goal. O_O

Ah muck, I wanted the Swiss to go through. Sad to see Djourou subbed off so early -- he didn't look injured, and he was looking a tad peaky in defence. Poor guy. Senderos has been brilliant for the Swiss this World Cup though -- yay! Awesome stuff from him throughout, and a shame he missed this game.

[Bart's Friend Milhouse]

For some reason I enjoyed that. Frei substitutued??? Shevchenko bottles his penalty!

[Psychotic]

If any team deserved to win Italy v Australia, it was Italy. Australia had an absolutely golden opportunity to beat Italy, and even progress to the semis, as soon as Materazzi was sent off. But instead they seemed content to play for extra time and penalties, as evidenced by their use, or lack thereof, of substitutions. Aloisi on in the 80th? Pssh, Hiddink should've brought him and Kennedy on a lot sooner, and then hurled themselves at the 10-man Italians. It's not like they had much to lose after Italy resigned themselves to playing 4-2-2-1.

Hiddink was clearly overconfident of making it to extra time as soon as the red card, and possibly even when the game began. A rare error, but a bloody huge one. It seems to me that Australia without Kewell are like England without Rooney: Sound enough to knock it around a bit, but lacking a real spark. It looked that way against Brazil until he came on, too.

Italy played well, and dominated until you-know-when, and then gave a textbook example of how to defend with only 10 men. I'm confident that if they had stayed at 11 men, Italy would've won.

As for the penalty, it was deserved as much as Materazzi deserved his red card. ie, it would be lucky if Australia/Materazzi got away with it, but harsh if it had been given. That's football.

The Swiss are going home without having conceded a single goal. O_O

Live by the sword, die by the sword. What an absolutely terrible match. And you know who we have to blame for that? Greece. After they won Euro 2004 by defending and being boring, other teams have decided to copy their style. Serves you right, Switzerland, and as for you, Ukraine, didn't you learn your lesson against Spain? Wasn't that attacking football you played against Saudi Arabia much better? Play like that against Italy, and you're going to get smashed, boys.

Senderos has been brilliant for the Swiss this World Cup though -- yay! Awesome stuff from him throughout, and a shame he missed this game.

Yeah, he has been good. I was disappointed when I read about his injury yesterday.

And finally...

I love you Totti.

I'm never going to let you forget that you said that.