Forza Azzurri

[FridayChild]

Very sad.

Indeed. Though maybe we're being sad about different things.

[RollerBall]

Indeed. Though maybe we're being sad about different things.  ;)

Don't get me wrong - I love football but not when it's played the way it was by many teams in this World Cup.

If the whole tournament had been played the same as the Italy-Germany match (open, flowing, very few fouls and no 'professional' ones that I can recall) then it would have been different. That was Italy's finest hour - not beating France in the way they did with an unnecessary incident that resulted in the ruin of the career of someone who had up to then been one of football's finest ambassadors and possibly the greatest player of his generation. That's just my opinion and that's why I'm sad.

BTW I'm only thinking about the game in general. I don't give a toss about the England performance who deserved everything they got as a spoilt bunch of over-paid, under-performing brats.

[FridayChild]

I too am sad about Zidane. I think that what happened does not subtract from his being one of the absolute most talented and fine players of the last decade, and for sure it does not ruin his career or bring it to a shameful end for that matter. It *was* a shame of an episode, nevertheless, and until we know for sure what happened on the pitch, this shame and pity is only Zidane's. I've been sorry to see him walk out the pitch before the end of his last match in career and never come back.
Should it ever be made clear that the incident was originated by a Materazzi's insult, then we will have two players to carry the shame, one per side.
This would not, IMHO of course, spoil the overall fairness of the match or cast a shadow over its outcome.

[PS forgive any clumsy syntax; I'm pushing my english to the limit here]

[Ivan]

It *was* a shame of an episode, nevertheless, and until we know for sure what happened on the pitch, this shame and pity is only Zidane's.
Should it ever be made clear that the incident was originated by a Materazzi's insult, then we will have two players to carry the shame, one per side.

Details are coming out slowly, but Zidane hasn't said anything yet, neither did Materazzi.

Some lipreading expert claims that Materazzi said that Zidanes sister was a prostitute.

If Materazzi wants to live a little longer he'd better stay away from France, and Marseille in particular. Algerians (and most people from Northern Africa) tend to settle disputes about this kind of insults with knives or pistols.

[vololiberista]

It doesn't matter what Materazzi said it didn't warrant a head but to the heart by Zidane which could have killed him.
Zidane might have been a good football player but he was frequently sent off for other violent acts. He and Rooney are both louts and this kind of behaviour on the pitch is no help to those that want to reduce off pitch soccer hooliganism.
Can you imagine this happeningat the "World Worm Charming Championships"  ???
http://www.wormcharming.com/index.html
Vololiberista

[FridayChild]

Breaking news!
A careful inspection of the Materazzi vs. Zidane footage revealed that the latter actually meant to save the italian's life!
DETAILS HERE

[Boomtown Rat]

Breaking news!
A careful inspection of the Materazzi vs. Zidane footage revealed that the latter actually meant to save the italian's life!
DETAILS HERE

See? Zidane cares!  The red card was not deserved at all then!

[C]

It is a shame that people have his headbutt and his stamp in 1998 to remember him by...

A couple of goals to though...

[vololiberista]

Ok Everyone After 3
one......two.....three
(or if you're Basil Fawlty   (on...those....trays)

Fratelli d'Italia

http://www.publiweb.com/service/testomam.html

http://www.publiweb.com/sport/calcio/inno_italiano.mid

Vololiberista  ;D

[ashaman]

Allow me to say that violence is never a valid answer, even if someone insults you. If it was, how many more wars in all the planet would be fought, if only for mindless slurs? :-/

If someone answer your words with fists, this someone is a brainless punk that can't fight his way out of a sack with words. Had Zidane answered to insult with insult, he'd been justified in his defence and we would not having this discussion now.

Ivan      Posted on: 07/10/06 at 17:39:39


If Materazzi wants to live a little longer he'd better stay away from France, and Marseille in particular. Algerians (and most people from Northern Africa) tend to settle disputes about this kind of insults with knives or pistols.

You, my kind sir, should never underestimate italian people in this particular kind of behaviour. I could name cities and/or other part of our peninsula where you better pass by making less noise than a cat, or else. But I won't, because I'be glorifying behaviours I deeply despise.

[FridayChild]

My God, that MIDI file!  :o
Here's a better link  ;) (click on "Ascolta l'Inno")

[vololiberista]

S