Argentina overdramatized when they were winning, so they got what they deserved!
I'm glad Germany arrived to the semis. But it's time for the Deutsche Fussball Machine to move and make place for the Azzurri.
At least the Argentinian and German fans had not fighting on their minds.
Thomas wrote:FreeDuck wrote:Ok, I have to know, what was the fighting about? I'm so sorry I couldn't see the game with my own eyes.
The TV commentator here said the Argentinians were very emotional about losing, some took it out on their frustration on the German players, and then one thing led to another. But that's just what they said. They didn't show pictures of how the fighting started.
After the game, one of the German players (Mertesacker) was kicked by Leandro Damian Cufre, and from there a small quarrel followed. Argentinia
has not only played unfairly it's also a sore loser. Cufre got a red card afterwards for kicking Mertesacker and FIFA will investigate for further penalties. Argentinia should be suspended for the next cup.
Walter Hinteler wrote:I don't care what government-less people say, especially not with a mouth full of cheese and clacking with their windmills in wooden shoes while cutting slices of tulip bulbs over primtjes.
I say Walter, steady on old chap...well done btw
CalamityJane wrote:At least the Argentinian and German fans had not fighting on their minds.
Somehow she doesnt look very happy... no wonder ;-)
Didn't anyone bother to watch the other quarterfinal game?
I'm happy Germany has won, blast those argentinians! I could only watch the highlights
. I don't even care the referee was biased.
Italy-Ukraine was more fun than what I had expected after the Switzerland-Ukraine boring fest, the game had about 20 minutes at the start of the second half filled with emotions.
Great game by the italians.
Pantos, the ref wasn't biased, IMHO. He fell on all but one of Argentina's dives.
Italy-Ukraine was fun for the first 6 minutes of the first half, and for the whole second half.
Italy scored soon and then managed an innofensive yellow team for the rest of the first half. The Ukrainians kind of woke-up after the recess, attacked several times, found Buffon, a miracle save by Zambrotta and the posts, and received lethal, very well played, counterattacks. The game could have finished 3-2 or 5-0, but it would not have reflected the extent of Italian superiority (3-0 is perhaps too harsh; 3-1 would have been fairer).
BTW, the official "Man of the Game" scheme is a joke. Zambrotta scored once, gave two goal passes (one of them was 85% of the goal), saved a goal on the line and must have run 15 kilometers. They gave it to Gattusso, perhaps because he looks fierce.
On the referee observation I was only repeating what everyone around me (who watched the game) said, guess I better not do that again.
Gattusso only got it because he's "a warrior" and kept playing after the accidental footstomp he got from an ukranian. I thought he was gonna go, but he stayed. He also did a great job on the midfield but of course Zambrotta's performance was clearly better.
Last Tuesday...
Quote:* RNW Press Review - Tuesday 27 June 2006
A commentary by soccer legend Johan Cruyff in De Telegraaf combines two of today's hottest topics: football and immigration. Cruyff writes that Minister of Immigration and Integration Rita Verdonk is partly to blame for Holland's elimination from the football World Cup, because of her refusal to grant citizenship to young African soccer wonder Salomon Kalou.
Cruyff argues that Ms Verdonk failed to serve the national interest. "If you see how inspiring the World Cup is for the Dutch, then you can't tell me she acted in this country's interest."
More here:
Quote:Cruyff blames immigration minister for Dutch World Cup failure
The Hague, June 27. (AP): Soccer legend Johan Cruyff found a new scapegoat for the Dutch team's early exit from the World Cup - Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk.
"I don't want to say the Minister is to blame for the Dutch team getting knocked out, but she is definitely partly to blame," Cruyff wrote in his column in national newspaper De Telegraaf today.
Cruyff said her decision not to grant Ivory Coast winger Salomon Kalou Dutch citizenship deprived the team of a strong attacking option.
As a result, "Holland were put in a situation that if (wingers) Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were not playing well there was no alternative," Cruyff said. "Salomon Kalou would have given us one."
Cruyff, star of the 1974 national team widely regarded as the best side never to win the World Cup, went as far as accusing Verdonk - nicknamed Iron Rita for her strict interpretation of Dutch immigration laws - of damaging the national interest by refusing to fast-track the Feyenoord star's application for citizenship so he could play at the Finals.
"Anybody who watched the World Cup and saw the effect it had on the country can't convince me that (granting Kalou citizenship) would not have been in the national interest," Cruyff said.
Now everybody knows better than to get Johan Cruyff angry... consequences were inevitable.
Last night, the Dutch government collapsed. The Prime Minister and all his ministers resigned. After junior coalition partner D'66 withdrew its confidence in the cabinet, because of Minister Verdonk.
See?
FreeDuck wrote:Ok, I have to know, what was the fighting about? I'm so sorry I couldn't see the game with my own eyes.
From today's (01.07.2006) Manchester Evening News (first edition, page 54)
Quote:
Berlin brawl shame
lot of sturm et drang (I forget what the word for 'and' is...)
Unfortunately, it's the only thing I know.
After 20 mins, England has had more chances to shoot a goal than nearly in all matches before ... but the Portuguese are't that bad neither.
It started quite good and interesting. Now, it seems, only the result is interesting. (Quite similar to yesterday's Germany vs. Argentina.)
Did Beckham touch a ball?
And that Rooney man is dangerous. Ouch. Good thing he's off the field.
Beckham is so overrated on the field. He and wifey do better in the boulevard
press.
The US commentators have objected numerous times to the referee's
decision in favor for England. More yellow cards should have been served
to the English.
It's sad to see that many games turn into battle fields. Good technique
and strategy is exchanged for violent behavior.
