Italy vs. France

Illusion · 07-06-06, 10:57 PM

Italy will win 1-0

onlooker · 07-06-06, 11:03 PM

Italy.

Bulldog · 07-07-06, 05:56 PM

I like France to win it all.
Not sure if regulation or extra time but, Ill definitely be rooting for them...

bigboydan · 07-07-06, 11:47 PM

i like France myself to win this game.

Dark Horse · 07-08-06, 05:40 PM

I have Italy with the early score and France chasing the game after that. Italy extremely tough to score on, and France not exactly an easy scoring team. Towards the end of the game, when France goes all out to equalize, Italy could score its second.

Brazil gave Zidane space, and he dominated them. Italy won't give him an inch. This is the key to neutralizing France.

The Italians have probably the best goal keeper in the tournament. Barthez's mistake against Portugal would have been punished by Italy, instead of headed over the cross bar.

You've probably seen this 12 year cycle:
1970 - Italy losing finalist
1982 - Italy winner
1994 - Italy losing finalist
2006 - Italy in final

(The only team Italy has lost to in this pattern is Brazil.)

bigboydan · 07-09-06, 01:18 PM

boy, Italy sure did tie it up fast at 1-1 didn't they.

Illusion · 07-09-06, 03:05 PM

They are in the first ot and Italy really looks tired. Italy will only win if it goes to pk's.

bigboydan · 07-09-06, 03:53 PM

wow! what a game....italy wins it in shootouts.

McBa1n · 07-09-06, 04:41 PM

If they had competent officials, I would've won a heckuva lot more on that game. I'm glad I put the majority of my money on Italy winning in kicks, but still, it hurts when you get Italy +170 in regulation and they don't cover.

Another stupid PK call - thankfully it didn't cost Italy the game.

It sure was a fun World Cup, but that was by far the least entertaining one I've seen in my lifetime. It will be tainted as 'the incompetent officials Cup'. Congrats to Italy and to everyone that got paid off a bunch. I can't wait til football season to get the action going again.

Illusion · 07-09-06, 05:37 PM

Italy just ran out of gas. They should feel fortunate it did go down to pk's. As I said earlier that was the only way they could have won.

BTW, what did you guys think of that French guys headbutt?

Illusion · 07-09-06, 06:03 PM

Here's a clip of the headbutt in case you missed it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBV52GPhNjw&feature=Views&page=1&t=t&f=b

adriano · 07-09-06, 06:08 PM

The worst headbutt i have ever seen, truly amazing to happen at this stage and to this player.

When i saw this it left me speechless for quite a while really.

tacomax · 07-09-06, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by Illusion

Italy just ran out of gas. They should feel fortunate it did go down to pk's. As I said earlier that was the only way they could have won.

They seemed to be playing for penalties after about 60 minutes. At every French attack, there were 9 at least Italians behind the ball. And that was excluding their goalkeeper.

Originally posted by Illusion

BTW, what did you guys think of that French guys headbutt?

That was a modern classic. If you're going to retire, then do it in style - that's what I reckon.

Illusion · 07-09-06, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by tacomax

That was a modern classic. If you're going to retire, then do it in style - that's what I reckon.

He sure put a new spin on going out in style.

Bulldog · 07-10-06, 11:23 AM

I was rooting for france myself, mainly because of Zizou.
Although I think he will still be remembered as a great player I cant help but think, why did he do it??
FIFA didnt seem to care that much, they just awarded him with the golden ball award.

totobernal · 07-10-06, 01:55 PM

the BIG question here is... what did Materazzi tell him??

Bulldog · 07-10-06, 02:07 PM

I get what your saying, but it really doesnt matter when you really think about it.
A guy of his experience should know better no matter what he was told.
Anyway, its good that FIFA didnt take the politically correct road and still gave him the golden ball award although imo Cannavaro deserved it more.

Dark Horse · 07-10-06, 06:48 PM

FIFA's decision was made halfway through the final.

It was a good headbutt, though, wasn't it? Italians are very sneaky about fouling. Soccer has become so dishonest with all the diving and crying etc. So, in a strange way, this could have been Zidane's protest. At least I like to think it was. "You guys want to be sneaky and hidden and cry about nothing? I tell you what... TAKE THIS!!" Totally out in the open, with no regard for the consequences, on the biggest stage imaginable. A statement beyond statements, directed at a sport that has become rotten to the core; the final word from a true artist.

Zidane's tha man. LOL