Final 4 World Cup!

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:29 pm

Ok....

The World Cup has had its ups and downs. It has seen some heart breaking exits, and obvious determination from others.

Germany has shown its offensive ferocity with the help of Miraslov Klose, as Italy seems to just find ways to win. Portugal is finally meeting up to expectations, at the same time France continues to quietly make its way through the ladders as usual.

Now that the final four have been determined, and we have seen what each are capable of, what are some of your opinions as to the outcome of this years World Cup. Also, what would you like to see, as well as who you think is the obvious outstanding player of the 2006 World Cup thus far?

What has stood out in your mind as being the greatest influence of the game through this years World Cup, and what are some of your most passionate disappointments?

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:35 pm

I look for Germany to continue their offensive playmaking(as long as they are N'sync)

I look for germany to beat Italy rather easily, as France will spoil Portugals hopes of making it to the final.

Final

Germany 2

France 1

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:43 pm

I suppose I would like to see France beat Germany in an awsome final match.

I think us fans from the USA was a bit dissapointed again this year, but personally I enjoyed the build up and will continue to watch every World Cup stemming from 2002 Korea/Japan.

I think Podolski of Germany has really done well for the young player of the Cup, and my vote for outstanding young player of the 2006 World Cup goes to him. I have a feeling Podolski will get the nod, as he is from Germany(the conspiracy theorist in me).

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:04 am

Not sure how this is going to go.

I think Germany will win the World Cup.

It can go either way with all the FIFA yellow and red cards handed out this Tournament. Just insane Football is a contact sport and guess what people will get hurt, taken down, head butted, you name it. :-5 Some get caught, some don't the only ones they should be calling are the blantant offenses the take downs from behind etc..

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 12:53 pm

Must say this game could go either way, depends on who get exhausted first..:-6

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:29 pm

The German's go down in the second OT. 2 goals in less than 2 minutes....

Now that's how you score..

BRAVO ITALY..!!

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:39 pm

CARLA wrote: The German's go down in the second OT. 2 goals in less than 2 minutes....

Now that's how you score..

BRAVO ITALY..!!

Best game of the tournament so far....well done Italy.

Now who's going to face them in the final...FRANCE I think .... and hope.....bloody Portugese don't deserve to be in the final.....not sour grapes or anything

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:09 pm

I'm thinking France as well Bez. Yes it was a great game had it all except for penalty kicks which I hate. So glad it eneded with goals being scored. :-6 As always it seems the rule, the team with the most shots on goal wins everytime simple game really try to make goals..

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 3:42 pm

Who'd have thought it, i had Germany & Brazil in the sweep, WTF!!!

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:19 pm

CARLA wrote: I'm thinking France as well Bez. Yes it was a great game had it all except for penalty kicks which I hate. So glad it eneded with goals being scored. :-6 As always it seems the rule, the team with the most shots on goal wins everytime simple game really try to make goals..

Italy simply wanted it more.....they seen a wounded calf limping along and pounced on them like a pride of lions. Italy deserves to move on. Great game, but germany were simply outclassed.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:07 pm

That very true KS gets down to that as well who wants it more, and how hard are you willing to fight to win... Italy just out played them the entire game, more shots, better ball control and team effort the entire game.. :-6

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:37 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote:

FIFA seem to be determined to make football a complelety non-contact sport and it is not and never has been

Is this truly their intention??

Surly you cant be serious.

Who in their right mind would think they could manipulate the game of soccer into a non-contact sport, and better yet, why??

Seems to me like they are trying to influence more offensive game-play to in turn increase scoring, so that it will generate more interest in the sport here in America, is my only assumption.

Im afraid they are beating a dead horse, if this is the case. America is hell bent on (American)football, which is the sport played in the beginning of summer. The only time soccer would be appropriately held is at the same time (American) football kicks off.

Anyone think there is another reason?

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:32 pm

ArnoldLayne wrote: K, as I've said before,scoring goals is secondary in the entertainment factor of football.

Oh, ive never doubted this across the world. I was reffering to spawning the interest of soccer in America. I could be wrong, but in order for the sport to gain success over the other three sports that are most watched over here, would be the increase of scoring goals.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:10 pm

So the final 2 are ITALY vs FRANCE.. I think Italy with take it...

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:13 am

CARLA wrote: So the final 2 are ITALY vs FRANCE.. I think Italy with take it...

Italy seems a Fairly safe bet Carla...did you see the France/Portugal match? *yawn*

The Portugese would make good sub-mariners....dive - dive- dive

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:45 am

Hahaha nice one Bez, oh is that Ronaldo going to be in for even more boos this year then ever.

I think the World cup this year has been really good, with a lot of great games (and the odd occasional one - basically any game involving Ukraine hahaha.) And who can forget the joke-a-thon that was the bad blooded match between Portugal and Holland!!

Who would of believed that after their shaky start that France would of gotten all this way. Even Italy had problems during the group stages, so it just goes to show you that a whole host of teams really have a good chance of winning it. Even though Italy played really well against Germany, I have a sneaky feeling that France are going to win on Sunday.

Oh and does anyone know exactly why they have a third placed play off?? I mean who really ever remembers third??

:-2

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:30 pm

Your right who cares Football is the only game that does this not sure if the players even like it...???

[QUOTE]Oh and does anyone know exactly why they have a third placed play off?? I mean who really ever remembers third?? [/QUOTE]

jaggedlittlegirl · Post by **jaggedlittlegirl** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:35 pm

I'm not usually a fan of soccer. I find it rather boring but for some reason the World Cup always draws me in.

Since my family is from Spain it's in my blood I guess and I always root for Spain in them. I was sooooooooo dissapointed when they lost on the 16th round so I stopped caring about the Cup.

I have to say though, I was GLAD when Brazil and Germany got kicked out and I'm rooting for Italy in the Final EVENTHOUGH they don't deserve to be in there IMO. The Aussies got robbed during quarter finals.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:45 am

I think I love you Jaggedlittlegirl!!! On behalf of the Aussies!!

Go Italy !!! And go France!!! - give us a great Cup Final !!! Preferably without dives and where the goals are scored during the play. I'll have a bottle of best Chianti Gallo Nero cabernet in one hand, and a bottle of best French champers in the other! Folle de foot!!

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:51 pm

Italy win as they should....

Zidane who usually is a class player received a red card for head butt to the chest of an Italian player. What a cheap shot on his last game ever, no class act will be remembered for ever more...

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:57 am

Well yep that's it the end of another great World Cup, with all it's high moments and low moments. Sadly though most people are going to remember the final for Zidane's moment of madness, rather than the match itself and the win for Italy. What a sad way to call it a day for such a fantastic player and all he has accomplished. Oh well bring on 2010 and South Africa next!!

Mongoose · Post by **Mongoose** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:19 pm

The final was a bit of a let down in my opinion. It started out great and just seemed to peter out. Still I'm glad Italy won because I really don't like France and they shouldn't have even qualified because they were doing so badly untill they got all their old players out of retirement. Mind you Italy did cheat against Australia so I'm not a massive fan of them either :wah: . You gotta hand it to them though, they did well not to let the trouble back home affect them.

The semi-final Italy V Germany was the best match of the tournament.

K.Snyder · Post by **K.Snyder** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:29 pm

jaggedlittlegirl wrote:

....I'm rooting for Italy in the Final EVENTHOUGH they don't deserve to be in there IMO. The Aussies got robbed during quarter finals.

I honestly dont care for the Italian team after the poor sportsmanship displayed by one of their players when they played us, the U.S, but honestly I believe Italy was the best team in the Cup this year and more than deserved to be there. I mean its not like anyone could say that the Aussies would have triumphed over Italy if the game had gone into extra time, and even PKs for that matter. I believe the Aussies had a bad call against them, but lets not be too over eccentric.