World Cup Final

[therock67]

Some of these opinions probably fit better on other threads but I thought I'd lump them all in here together.

1. I thought Thuram was superb last night. Cannavaro was receiving all the praise on RTE and he was decent but Thuram was better last night. Either way they were the best two defenders in the competition probably.

2. Henry was brutal. Brady was trying to stick up for him but he looked ponderous and uninterested. Got goal side of Cannavaro in the first half but was caught. I think he was feeling sorry for himself after a really minor knock in the first few seconds - the fuckin world cup final and he's looking after himself out there.

3. No idea what went on between Materazzi and Zidane but he got great power in the butt. It's a pity there was a height difference because he could have busted his nose which would have been well worth seeing in a world cup final. Materazzi is clearly pinching Zidane's nipple at the start but it's obviously something he said that sends Zidane wild.

4. Looked like it was the 4th official that made the decision. Interesting one because he had tv access.

5. Couldn't believe Dunphy and Brady on RTE suggesting the Italian clubs in the scandal should be given an amnesty because it would destroy some great institutions. I don't think Giles could believe what he was hearing either. Brady is often biased and he was ruled by his affection for Juventus. Dunphy was just being a stupid bastard. It was sickening to hear them gloss over the ruination of sport - disgusted.

6. What was worse was the same fools banging on about diving and cheats ruining football. Dunphy was raging about the penalty and said it was destroying the game for everyone. (I think it was a penalty - clumsy tackle just like Carvalho on Henry in the semi-final). Anyway what right has Dunphy or Brady to talk about cheating when they are supporting Juventus and the other big clubs in Serie A and suggesting they shouldn't be relegated. Cheating by players is to be castigated but systematic rigging on a grander scale is to be tolerated if big clubs are involved. Arseholes.

7. They then went on to discuss Cannavaro and Dunphy said how guys like that are inspirational and it's wonderful to see such honesty with all the cheating in football these days. I like Cannavaro and he had a smashing tournament but he was hugely implicated in the Juventus drugs allegations that were whitewashed in Italy. I'd prefer a diver to a doper any day. At least a diver has the balls to deceive people in public.

8. Some great video montages put together by RTE at the end - particularly the hot birds one.

[pagey]

Was disappointed with the final. First 20mins it looked like it was going to be a cracker. The italians for me were better in the first half but after half time they just looked sloppy, especially in extra time. Thought they would do what they did against Germany and try to get the winner in extra time, especially when they went a man up.

1) Thruam had a great game last night. Himself and Cannavaro really put their bodies on the line and go for everything. Thought Ribery looked good again last night.

2) Henry hasn't really done anything in the whole world cup. He spent the whole Spanish game getting caught offside. He doesn't look happy at all, possible the role he has to play.

3) zidane should have known better then to react to that. Even if he called him a 'terrorist' as some papers are suggesting. He did have to go out with a bang though. Nearly got that header at the end where Buffon made a good reflex save, which would have been a good way to retire by scoring the winner in the WC final.

4) Apparently FIFA have came out and said that the 4th Offical didn't use any video evidence. He was rightly sent off though.

5) I hope the pair were just getting caught up in the moment. Ofcourse the clubs should be banned/relegated if found guilty.

6) Honestly didn't think it was a penalty. Thought Malouda tripped himself up and mattaratzzi had pulled out of the way in time. The one in the semi was soft but still a penalty. Carvalho should have known better.

7) Didn't know that about Cannavaro. But from the above you say he was hugely implicated in the allegations. What was the verdict? Was he cleared of the charge?

8) Missed that as had to head back up to Dublin. Some great looking birds at the finals. Did anyone see the bird behind Klinsmann in the match on saturday? She was being chatted up all match (well everytime the camera went to the bench) by one of the Germany's backroom staff. Wonder if he got her number!

Overall I thought the French deserved to win, disappointed that such a legend had to go out like that (in the Observer on sunday there was an article suggesting that Zidane has a darker side but he was just able to control it on the pitch). But I'm happy the Italians won as I backed them from the start (See Who Will win the World Cup thread! and in the bookies).

[therock67]

pagey said:

7) Didn't know that about Cannavaro. But from the above you say he was hugely implicated in the allegations. What was the verdict? Was he cleared of the charge?

I was probably being a touch unfair by linking 2 events. There is famous video footage of Cannavaro being administered some substance from a drip before the UEFA cup final when he played with Parma. Apparently the substance involved was neoton which wasn't banned but I think it might be banned now.

Subsequently there was a doping trial against the doctor at Juventus (when Cannavaro was there). The video of the first event was released around this time so although the drip taking was with Parma, other clubs suggested that with the drugs allegations around Juventus and this "evidence" that Cannavaro had a case to answer. The case collapsed because of a statute of limitations (I think this means that too much time elapsed between the incidents and the legal proceedings being brought to court).

[briantinnion]

pagey said:

4) Apparently FIFA have came out and said that the 4th Offical didn't use any video evidence. He was rightly sent off though.

I think FIFA are talking sh!te here, why did it take so long for Zidane to recieve his punishment? If Zidane was sent off on the back of TV evidence I think it wrong wrong wrong. We cannot have bit part TV evidence, FIFA either introduce it or they ignore it, personally I hope it never comes in as I think it will take awayt some of the magic and unpredictability of the game. At least the GAA have this one right, how easy would it have been for the referee in the Wexford Offaly game to have a quick glance at the big screen and see that guy put his head under Matty's stride?

Couldn't believe the crap Dunphy and Brady came out with regarding a dispensation for the clubs involved. What sort of message would that send out to the cheats?

[bandage]

Not much more to add here. Thuram was indeed superb and Henry really pissed me off to. Did he not have the desire to go and win the game? There was one incident near the end where Ribery or Malouda did some trickery on the by-line and under severe pressure managed to get the ball across the face of the 6 yard box only for Henry to be standing hands on hips about 30 yards out. He can never be considered a true great no matter what anybody says.

Couldn't hear the RTE coverage in the pub but like you lot strongly disagree with the panel re cheating and Juventus.

Going back to a thread from the infancy of this site does this World Cup prove there are not that many great players around the globe now as there was 10 or 20 years ago?

[steamboatsam]

classic quote from herald am re Zidane

"sadly the enduring image of one of the greatest footballers of his generation will be of him ramming his bald head into Materazzi"

[steamboatsam]

Here is a quote of what Matterazi is supposed to have said to Zidane last night to make him so mad...

"I Hope Jean suffered"

To put it in context:

Jean Varraud is Zidane's first trainer and Zidane considers him as his second father. Jean Varraud would have been happy with Zinedine Zidane's performance on Tuesday night. Zidane became the latest player in this World Cup to confound the critics, with a subtle performance against Spain, capped by a quality goal at the end to seal France's berth in the quarter-finals. The performance came two days after the death of Varraud, a talent scout for Cannes. In 1987 he spotted Zidane, then 15, playing for a Marseilles club. He telephoned Cannes coach Jean Fernandez and said, "Jean, I've just found you a genius."

[bandage]

There was 3 Wooden Planks in the pub for the game last night. One of them turns around to me and goes, ‘So who are you rooting for?’ I said that I was totally neutral and just hoped the game would do justice to the occasion. He goes, ‘Really? I thought you guys would all be rooting for Italy. You know there’s bad history between France and the British Isles.’ I said well we as Irish people don’t consider ourselves as being British and the French have never as far as I’m aware done anything to piss us off. He goes ‘Reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaallllllllly’ in a very shocked tone. Then I could hear him telling his other 2 buddies what I’d said and there was a look of sheer astonishment on their faces. You just have to love them.

[humbug]

bandage said:

There was 3 Wooden Planks in the pub for the game last night. One of them turns around to me and goes, ‘So who are you rooting for?’ I said that I was totally neutral and just hoped the game would do justice to the occasion. He goes, ‘Really? I thought you guys would all be rooting for Italy. You know there’s bad history between France and the British Isles.’ I said well we as Irish people don’t consider ourselves as being British and the French have never as far as I’m aware done anything to piss us off. He goes ‘Reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaallllllllly’ in a very shocked tone. Then I could hear him telling his other 2 buddies what I’d said and there was a look of sheer astonishment on their faces. You just have to love them.

Reminds of a time when I was talking to a Canadian guy in the company of a friend of mine who had a Derry jersey with Rule 21 printed on the back. The Canadian guy asked me what Rule 21 meant so I gave him the whole story of football and hurling and the reason for Rule 21. When I finished he turned to his countryman and said, "hey Jeff, this guy was just telling me all about Gaelic soccer and shurling...and they have this thing called Rule 21...it's fookin beautiful man...I think we should have a Rule 21 in ice hockey too"

[lyonsee]

Hugely disappointing it was but that's what I've come to expect of big finals these days (except when Liverpool are playing). Teams are just so scared of losing that they forget about winning and the result is a pile of poo like that last night. A hallmark of this is that defenders like Cannavaro and Thuram are getting all the plaudits and of course they should if they play well but who in an attacking sense would you rave about from this World Cup? Certainly not Henry, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, Toni, Pauleta etc. All players you'd expect a lot more from (possibly with the exception of Pauleta who is crap imo). One up front should be banned, it's ruining the bloody game. Probably the three most exciting teams to watch were Argentina, Germany and Spain - all played with two up front. Nothing can be done to stop teams from playing negatively I suppose but this along with the amount of diving and gesturing to get players booked is making me lose my love of football.

As regards Zidane he was of course mental to do what he did. Bandage, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it given your comments on the Forde thread.

[steamboatsam]

strange move by Fiorentina to buy Mutu before the outcome of the match fixing trial is known and even stranger from Mutu's perspective, why the fook would he join a team that will potentially be playing in serie b

[jimmyhillschin]

why the fook would he join a team that will potentially be playing in serie b

Theres been alot of movement with Fiorentina, they bought another two players yesterday as well as Mutu.
Only reason he moved is probably because Juventus will be in Serie C ;D

[bandage]

lyonsee said:

As regards Zidane he was of course mental to do what he did. Bandage, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it given your comments on the Forde thread.

I thought Zidane had to go obviously. It was a straighforward headbutt to the chest and though under provacation you simply can’t expect to get away with that. The Forde incident is totally different – just because he’s the best forward in the game and one of best few footballers overall in the country – it seems everybody wants to stick the knife in much as they are doing to Zidane even though his case is clear cut and Forde’s is not. As humbug said it wasn’t a stamp. He never stamped on anyone. And as briantinnion eloquently put it yesterday it was unfortunate for the guy to fall under Forde’s stride. Look at the incident again, he never looks down at the guy at all. People often say about Forde that he only does it in the League and early championship rounds, again more a reflection our own overall prowess than his. In that respect it was marvellous to see the mental strength, ability and pure bottle of the guy shine through on Saturday. If he gets suspended I will protest outside Croke Park and I’m not messing either.

[humbug]

bandage said:

lyonsee said:

As regards Zidane he was of course mental to do what he did. Bandage, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on it given your comments on the Forde thread.

I thought Zidane had to go obviously. It was a straighforward headbutt to the chest and though under provacation you simply can’t expect to get away with that. The Forde incident is totally different – just because he’s the best forward in the game and one of best few footballers overall in the country – it seems everybody wants to stick the knife in much as they are doing to Zidane even though his case is clear cut and Forde’s is not. As humbug said it wasn’t a stamp. He never stamped on anyone. And as briantinnion eloquently put it yesterday it was unfortunate for the guy to fall under Forde’s stride. Look at the incident again, he never looks down at the guy at all. People often say about Forde that he only does it in the League and early championship rounds, again more a reflection our own overall prowess than his. In that respect it was marvellous to see the mental strength, ability and pure bottle of the guy shine through on Saturday. If he gets suspended I will protest outside Croke Park and I’m not messing either.

You're very sly Bandage. Sneaking in a comment about Forde here in the World Cup Final thread. If you go and protest, I will go and mount a counter-protest. He has to be suspended for what he did. When you are involved in a collision like that you know instinctively where your opponent has landed and it is very easy to come down with your legs spread apart so as not to land on him. Forde had a guilty mind.

While I am here...why is everyone riding that goal by Cambiasso (the 24 pass one)? Yer boy Lawton wrote a big article on the front page of the Indo sports section about it and how it lifted the game of soccer to a higher plane. RTE rightly gave goal of the tournament to Maxi Rodriguez. 18 of the passes were either backwards, in their own half or made under zero pressure whatsoever...some of the passes were all three. What is so amazing about that? The 6 passes that actually led to the goal were well worked and I do admit the back-heel at the end was fantastic but I thought it was an ordinary enough goal.

[therock67]

humbug said:

bandage said:

I thought Zidane had to go obviously. It was a straighforward headbutt to the chest and though under provacation you simply can’t expect to get away with that. The Forde incident is totally different – just because he’s the best forward in the game and one of best few footballers overall in the country – it seems everybody wants to stick the knife in much as they are doing to Zidane even though his case is clear cut and Forde’s is not. As humbug said it wasn’t a stamp. He never stamped on anyone. And as briantinnion eloquently put it yesterday it was unfortunate for the guy to fall under Forde’s stride. Look at the incident again, he never looks down at the guy at all. People often say about Forde that he only does it in the League and early championship rounds, again more a reflection our own overall prowess than his. In that respect it was marvellous to see the mental strength, ability and pure bottle of the guy shine through on Saturday. If he gets suspended I will protest outside Croke Park and I’m not messing either.

You're very sly Bandage. Sneaking in a comment about Forde here in the World Cup Final thread. If you go and protest, I will go and mount a counter-protest. He has to be suspended for what he did. When you are involved in a collision like that you know instinctively where your opponent has landed and it is very easy to come down with your legs spread apart so as not to land on him. Forde had a guilty mind.

While I am here...why is everyone riding that goal by Cambiasso (the 24 pass one)? Yer boy Lawton wrote a big article on the front page of the Indo sports section about it and how it lifted the game of soccer to a higher plane. RTE rightly gave goal of the tournament to Maxi Rodriguez. 18 of the passes were either backwards, in their own half or made under zero pressure whatsoever...some of the passes were all three. What is so amazing about that? The 6 passes that actually led to the goal were well worked and I do admit the back-heel at the end was fantastic but I thought it was an ordinary enough goal.

I agree - posted on this a while back. Decent goal but I preferred Maxi Rodriguez's effort and Fernando Torres' goal against Ukraine. There wasn't much penetration in the passing. That's fine if the passes are probing and they're zipping it about waiting for an opening. The fact is they were just retaining position and Serbia and Montenegro stood off them. Decent last bit with the back heel but the finish itself is ungainly too.

[steamboatsam]

humbug said:

bandage said:

I thought Zidane had to go obviously. It was a straighforward headbutt to the chest and though under provacation you simply can’t expect to get away with that. The Forde incident is totally different – just because he’s the best forward in the game and one of best few footballers overall in the country – it seems everybody wants to stick the knife in much as they are doing to Zidane even though his case is clear cut and Forde’s is not. As humbug said it wasn’t a stamp. He never stamped on anyone. And as briantinnion eloquently put it yesterday it was unfortunate for the guy to fall under Forde’s stride. Look at the incident again, he never looks down at the guy at all. People often say about Forde that he only does it in the League and early championship rounds, again more a reflection our own overall prowess than his. In that respect it was marvellous to see the mental strength, ability and pure bottle of the guy shine through on Saturday. If he gets suspended I will protest outside Croke Park and I’m not messing either.

You're very sly Bandage. Sneaking in a comment about Forde here in the World Cup Final thread. If you go and protest, I will go and mount a counter-protest. He has to be suspended for what he did. When you are involved in a collision like that you know instinctively where your opponent has landed and it is very easy to come down with your legs spread apart so as not to land on him. Forde had a guilty mind.

While I am here...why is everyone riding that goal by Cambiasso (the 24 pass one)? Yer boy Lawton wrote a big article on the front page of the Indo sports section about it and how it lifted the game of soccer to a higher plane. RTE rightly gave goal of the tournament to Maxi Rodriguez. 18 of the passes were either backwards, in their own half or made under zero pressure whatsoever...some of the passes were all three. What is so amazing about that? The 6 passes that actually led to the goal were well worked and I do admit the back-heel at the end was fantastic but I thought it was an ordinary enough goal.

don't think you could call the goal ordinary humbug. one of the great things about it was how the argies knocked the ball around patiently keeping possession until an opportunity arose to attack then they picked up the pace and strung those final few passes together. so many teams would have made a few passes across the back four, played it to a guy in midfield who would have either lumped it up to the loan striker or tried to play a hollywood pass to someone charging up the far side of the pitch - both largely ending up in a 50/50 chance of retaining possession.

[bandage]

steamboatsam said:

so many teams would have made a few passes across the back four, played it to a guy in midfield who would have either lumped it up to the loan striker or tried to play a hollywood pass to someone charging up the far side of the pitch - both largely ending up in a 50/50 chance of retaining possession.

Don't you mean 'lone' striker or are countries able to buy strikers on loan now?

[steamboatsam]

bandage said:

steamboatsam said:

so many teams would have made a few passes across the back four, played it to a guy in midfield who would have either lumped it up to the loan striker or tried to play a hollywood pass to someone charging up the far side of the pitch - both largely ending up in a 50/50 chance of retaining possession.

Don't you mean 'lone' striker or are countries able to buy strikers on loan now?

i think they lease them on loan rather than buy them....

[bandage]

From Danger Here:

The World Cup Top 30
Forget FIFA’s nonsense selection, here’s the guff squad.
---------------------------------------------------

30. "A suspicion that Kewell was offside, but the question people will be asking is - was he active?"
Nothing quite so active as scoring a goal, is there Ger Canning?

29. Motty: "Well, looks like an Abel Xavier impersonator in the crowd!”

Lawro: "I think that is him John..."

28. "It's lovely to see two strikers play with each other"
David “tugging at his pants” Pleat sees the beauty in the Klose – Podolski union.

27, “If you get a man sent off, you can be pretty certain your team is only going to have ten men.”
If only ZZ had an on-field link-up with Talksport’s Graham Beacroft, things might have worked out so differently.

26. ESPN’s Tommy Smyth’s verdict on the World Cup ball:

"Roundier."

25. "This game was played in Cologne and it stunk.”
Lawro’s verdict on Switzerland – Ukraine.

24. "I doubt Totti – he's a Rodney Marsh."
Giles delivers the harshest words of all.

23. "And if they (Africans) can just learn how to win football matches it is inevitable that one day, they will win the World Cup."
Stephen Alkin identifies a chink of light for the dark continent at the end of a long and patronising tunnel:


22. "He (Radoslaw Sobolewski ) got sent off and the manager's thanking him for his efforts… he should have kicked him between the… he should have punched him in the nose."
Where could Graeme Souness have gotten this unfair reputation as a gaffer who can't get on with his players?

21. “Yes, I saw him walking off at halftime rubbing his groin. I think that was some kind of statement.”
David Pleat spots some provocative antics from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

20. "You could say they were pulling the wool over our eyes with Lahm scoring there."
Sheepish Lineker.

19. "The referee certainly isn't fond of the whistle. James Galway he aint."
Jimmy Magee worries about a lenient official during Italy - Ghana

18. “It's definitely hit him on the hand, but he didn't raise his ball.” Mick McCarthy spots some commendable penalty area restraint during USA – Czechs:

17. “Holland are playing a 4-4-2, but with three forwards"
JP Dellacamera has read only to page one of ESPN’s “Tactics for Dummy’s” handbook.

16. "One nil is usually enough to win in the group games."
But Marcello Balboa has got right to the end of “Winning 101”

15. ”Not so much Cannavaro, more can you believe it?”Motty bows out in the style to which we’ve become accustomed.

14. Dinny Irwin: "The Czechs were spent, Bill"
Gilesy: "Good one. Denis."
Denis (quizzical look exposing lack of intention): “Oh yeah, John. Brilliant.”

13. "The first time I've seen two men have sex on the BBC."
Eamonn Dunphy must have missed This Life due to Weakest Link rehearsals. Sven and Garth Crooks post-Equador love-in made up for it.

12. "They've won the game. That's probably what they set out to do."
Denis Irwin delivers a concise if uncontroversial verdict on Portugal – Angola:

11. “Ivan Kaviedes has played in five countries in the last twelve months....... including Crystal Palace."
Suppose it was only a matter of time before Simon Jordan made a move for independence. Stephen Alkin made the announcement.

10. "I think the Poles will be confident as will… the players from Equador."
Sidestep of the tournament from Kenny Cunningham

9. Martin Fisher (We thinks. UKTV G2 anyway): “Ronaldo’s got to be careful or there won't be many leagues left where he can go and play.“

Ron (quick as a flash): “Maybe twenty thousand leagues.”

8. "A waste of space. An absolute waster. He should have been yanked off at half time and put in the bath. A scalding hot bath... and left there for a long time."
Eamo’s customary tribute to Harry Kewell.

7. "Michael Beckett"
If Becks had heard this from ESPN’s Dave O’Brien, he’d have been crying a lot sooner.

6. "Italy were expecting a cat walk against the US."
Perhaps Tony Cas inadvertently got to the bottom of Totti’s preening.

5. ”Africans don't seem to be able to kick the ball properly. They are not really kicking it with the laces – they seem to get under the ball.” The only surprise for Ray “Precision Finisher” Houghton is that these fellows have football boots at all.

4. "A game that had been controlled by Argentina has turned 360 degrees."
ESPN’s Glenn Davis takes a circuitous route around Ivory’s Coast’s resurgence.

3. "They weren't even breathing at times thanks to their fitness and strength."
Gavin Peacock flags the ultimate in African naivety from the Ghanaians.

2. “I'll have to ring my wife at full time to make sure she's taping it.”David Pleat shuts the VCR after Germany – Italy has bolted.

1. "Van Persie… adjusting his undershorts...and now perhaps with Van Nistelrooy in his sights"
Peter Drury during Holland – Argentina, revealing why Ruud spent the rest of the tournament skulking nervously on the subs bench.












The World Cup Top 30
Forget FIFA’s nonsense selection, here’s the guff squad.





30. "A suspicion that Kewell was offside, but the question people will be asking is - was he active?"
Nothing quite so active as scoring a goal, is there Ger Canning?



29. Motty: Well, looks like an Abel Xavier impersonator in the crowd!”

Lawro: "I think that is him John..."


28. "It's lovely to see two strikers play with each other"
David “tugging at his pants” Pleat sees the beauty in the Klose – Podolski union.


27, “If you get a man sent off, you can be pretty certain your team is only going to have ten men.”
If only ZZ had an on-field link-up with Talksport’s Graham Beacroft, things might have worked out so differently.

26. ESPN’s Tommy Smyth’s verdict on the World Cup ball:
"Roundier."



25. "This game was played in Cologne and it stunk.”
Lawro’s verdict on Switzerland – Ukraine.


24. "I doubt Totti – he's a Rodney Marsh."
Giles delivers the harshest words of all.




23. "And if they (Africans) can just learn how to win football matches it is inevitable that one day, they will win the World Cup."
Stephen Alkin identifies a chink of light for the dark continent at the end of a long and patronising tunnel:




22. "He (Radoslaw Sobolewski ) got sent off and the manager's thanking him for his efforts… he should have kicked him between the… he should have punched him in the nose."
Where could Graeme Souness have gotten this unfair reputation as a gaffer who can't get on with his players?




21. “Yes, I saw him walking off at halftime rubbing his groin. I think that was some kind of statement.”
David Pleat spots some provocative antics from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.



20. "You could say they were pulling the wool over our eyes with Lahm scoring there."
A sheepish Lineker.


19. "The referee certainly isn't fond of the whistle. James Galway he aint."
Jimmy Magee worries about a lenient official during Italy - Ghana



18. “It's definitely hit him on the hand, but he didn't raise his ball.”
Mick McCarthy spots some commendable penalty area restraint during USA – Czechs:



17. “Holland are playing a 4-4-2, but with three forwards"
JP Dellacamera has read only to page one of ESPN’s “Tactics for Dummy’s” handbook.



16. "One nil is usually enough to win in the group games."
But Marcello Balboa has got right to the end of “Winning 101”


15. ”Not so much Cannavaro, more can you believe it?”
Motty bows out in the style to which we’ve become accustomed.

14. Dinny Irwin: "The Czechs were spent, Bill"
Gilesy: "Good one. Denis."
Denis (quizzical look exposing lack of intention): “Oh yeah, John. Brilliant.”


13. "What a future he had a few years ago."
Darragh Moloney wonders where it will all go wrong for Hugo Viana


12. "They've won the game. That's probably what they set out to do."
Denis Irwin delivers a concise if uncontroversial verdict on Portugal – Angola:



11. “Ivan Kaviedes has played in five countries in the last twelve months....... including Crystal Palace."
Suppose it was only a matter of time before Simon Jordan made a move for independence. Stephen Alkin made the announcement.



10. "I think the Poles will be confident as will… the players from Equador."
Sidestep of the tournament from Kenny Cunningham



9. Martin Fisher (We thinks. UKTV G2 anyway): “Ronaldo’s got to be careful or there won't be many leagues left where he can go and play.“
Ron (quick as a flash): “Maybe twenty thousand leagues.”



8. "A waste of space. An absolute waster. He should have been yanked off at half time and put in the bath. A scalding hot bath... and left there for a long time."
Eamo’s customary ode to Harry Kewell.



7. "Michael Beckett"
If Becks had heard this from ESPN’s Dave O’Brien, he’d have been crying a lot sooner.



6. "Italy were expecting a cat walk against the US."
Perhaps Tony Cas inadvertently got to the bottom of Totti’s preening.




5. ”Africans don't seem to be able to kick the ball properly. They are not really kicking it with the laces – they seem to get under the ball.”
The only surprise for Ray “Precision Finisher” Houghton is that these fellows have football boots at all.

4. "A game that had been controlled by Argentina has turned 360 degrees."
ESPN’s Glenn Davis takes a circuitous route around Ivory’s Coast’s resurgence.




3. "They weren't even breathing at times thanks to their fitness and strength."
Gavin Peacock flags the ultimate in African naivety from the Ghanaians.


2. “I'll have to ring my wife at full time to make sure she's taping it.”
David Pleat shuts the VCR after Germany – Italy has bolted.

1. "Van Persie… adjusting his undershorts...and now perhaps with Van Nistelrooy in his sights"
Peter Drury during Holland – Argentina, revealing why Ruud spent the rest of the tournament skulking nervously on the subs bench.

[iamthelaw]

so good it was worth saying twice, eh bandage?

by the way one aspect of the cannavaro scandal that i don't think rock mentioned is that the amateur video which caused all the trouble was shot ... by cannavaro.
and they say beckham's thick!

[steamboatsam]

"get out of my face! you know nothing about football! nothing! don't break my balls you fucking idiots" Mexican coach Ricardo La Volpe to reporters.

"There's no room up my arse for a hair of shrimp, never mind flowers" Luis Aragones after being offered a bouquet of flowers.

"I have black, gypsy and japanese friends, including one whose job is to determine the sex of poultry" Luis Aragones

"Dear me, she is chubby! arms, bust, bum, all very British. Joanne is the sort of girl who drinks sangria on the beach in Majorca, and then dances on the table with her top off" German newspsper Bild welcomes Beckham's sister to germany