World Cup 09/07/06
Forza Azzurri!
I joined my sister and one of my nephews to watch the 2006 World Cup final on Corso Italia in Little Italy, just a few blocks from where I live. They are both Italia supporters, so it was the place to be on Sunday. It was fairly calm on the street before the match, as everyone hurried to find a spare inch of space to watch. Which was not easy given how many people had come downtown.
The experts had all hoped that there would be an early goal to get, and keep, the game going strong. We got two early goals, one for France on penalty kick, and a lovely header by Materazzi to even up the score.
I was sure Italy was going to score another one in regular time, but when we went to extra time, France seemed to be dominating. Until Zidane lost his cool and viciously head-butted Materazzi in the chest at the beginning of the second extra time period. He was sent off the field in disgrace, and had to walk past the World Cup trophy as he exited. I can imagine how he must have felt. After that, Italy picked up the steam again, but it ended up going to penalty shootout to decide the winner.
The Italians showed confidence when they stepped up to the spot. In my sister’s nightmare they would have to go to sudden-death penalty kicks, but Trezequet sent his off the underside of the cross bar, and Grosso executed his spot-kick with perfection giving Italy the win. The pub I was in exploded in a wall of noise when that ball hit the back of the net.
We never got to see the medal ceremony because the celebrations outside began immediately, but I watched most of the match again last night when I got home. As World Cup finals go it was a good one. My sister and I have been watching matches together for a long time, but it was special to share that experience with my thirteen year old nephew.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
World Cup 08/07/06
The Germany vs Portugal third place match was much better than I thought it was going to be. It was nice to see Kahn playing this one, and as the team captain, since Ballack was out with an injury.
Germany had the better chances, but it wasn’t until the second half that we saw any goals. But what goals they were. The first goal by Schweinsteiger was lovely. Figo came on in the final fifteen minutes, and set up the lone Portuguese goal. It was a nice way for him to exit on the international stage.
Klinsmann helped restore some pride for the hosting nation. They were questioning his coaching abilities, and then they were praising him. I wonder if he’s going to stay on as head coach.
The Germany vs Portugal third place match was much better than I thought it was going to be. It was nice to see Kahn playing this one, and as the team captain, since Ballack was out with an injury.
Germany had the better chances, but it wasn’t until the second half that we saw any goals. But what goals they were. The first goal by Schweinsteiger was lovely. Figo came on in the final fifteen minutes, and set up the lone Portuguese goal. It was a nice way for him to exit on the international stage.
Klinsmann helped restore some pride for the hosting nation. They were questioning his coaching abilities, and then they were praising him. I wonder if he’s going to stay on as head coach.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
World Cup 05/07/06
The Portugal vs France semi-final match was not as entertaining as the one yesterday. I took a little satisfaction from the crowd continually booing Ronaldo. And I loved the commentators pointing out how easily the Portuguese seem to go down. Yeah. I hate that kind of play. I wish the players got taken to task more often for that kind of play.
Today though, the ref kept the play going quite well. And that was a good penalty kick call today, which resulted in Zidane’s well taken pk, and France going 1 up in the first half. The Portuguese had the better chances in the second-half, but just could not put the ball in the back of the net.
Thuram had a great game. The French are going to need him in top form for Sunday.
I thought it was a nice touch that after exchanging shirts with Figo, Zidane donned the jersey.
The Portugal vs France semi-final match was not as entertaining as the one yesterday. I took a little satisfaction from the crowd continually booing Ronaldo. And I loved the commentators pointing out how easily the Portuguese seem to go down. Yeah. I hate that kind of play. I wish the players got taken to task more often for that kind of play.
Today though, the ref kept the play going quite well. And that was a good penalty kick call today, which resulted in Zidane’s well taken pk, and France going 1 up in the first half. The Portuguese had the better chances in the second-half, but just could not put the ball in the back of the net.
Thuram had a great game. The French are going to need him in top form for Sunday.
I thought it was a nice touch that after exchanging shirts with Figo, Zidane donned the jersey.
World Cup 04/07/06
The Germany vs Italy semi-final match was exceptionally entertaining. The first half saw some early chances by Italy, and then it was like a tennis match up and down the field as the ball went from goal to goal.
Klinsmann must have lit a fire under the Germans at half-time, because they came out attacking at the start of the second half. But still no goals were scored and the match went to over-time. By the end of the first period of over-time the Germans seemed content to take it to penalty kicks, knowing they had the advantage in that department. They never got that chance.
Two great goals in the final minutes of the second half of over-time secured Italy’s place in the World Cup final this coming Sunday, July 9. I was glad I didn’t have to endure another session of penalty kicks to decide who advanced.
The Germany vs Italy semi-final match was exceptionally entertaining. The first half saw some early chances by Italy, and then it was like a tennis match up and down the field as the ball went from goal to goal.
Klinsmann must have lit a fire under the Germans at half-time, because they came out attacking at the start of the second half. But still no goals were scored and the match went to over-time. By the end of the first period of over-time the Germans seemed content to take it to penalty kicks, knowing they had the advantage in that department. They never got that chance.
Two great goals in the final minutes of the second half of over-time secured Italy’s place in the World Cup final this coming Sunday, July 9. I was glad I didn’t have to endure another session of penalty kicks to decide who advanced.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
World Cup 01/07/06
I picked England to advance from this match up, and I knew this was going to be a physical game. I thought with a few key Portuguese players sitting out on suspension, they might have a better chance. They did capitalize on that advantage, but England had a few wasted opportunities as the players at the front seemed to battle with each other. Eriksson must have delivered “We band of brothers” speech at half-time, because England came out attacking full-force in the second half. It was very sad to see Beckham limp off the field, and see him on the bench in tears. It was also sad when Rooney was sent off with a red card for a push on Ronaldo after a foul on another player. The foul resulted in a misplaced boot, but there was pushing and shoving by the Portuguese on either side of Rooney too. Figo can head butt an opposing player and only receive a yellow card, but Rooney gets sent off. That just sucks. And the dramatics of the Portuguese rubs me the wrong way. Their play-acting is annoying as hell. Writhing in agony on the field one moment, and then up and running moments later. Carvalho and Ronaldo are particularly adept at this, which is a shame.
The idea of going to penalty kicks made me sick in the stomach, since England’s has lost on pks before. I could barely watch. I kept hoping Lampard would be able to score a goal in this World Cup. I felt so bad for him when Ricardo stopped his pk. But at least he wasn’t the only won who got a pk stopped. Hargreaves had a good game though, and I was glad he scored on his pk. It was touching to watch Beckham go around and comfort his comrades at the end of the match. This match was the first surprise of the day.
I fully expected France to be dominated by Brazil the entire match long. Again, I underestimated the French defence. And the French offense. The Brazilians are another team that is adept at securing free kicks due to supposed fouls. Like the second half dive by Ronaldo that resulted in Thuram getting a yellow card. Thuram didn’t touch him. Arrgh. I just hate that kind of play. And I hope FIFA reviews the videos and fines Ronaldo for that stunt. The last few minutes were exciting as both sides had some good chances, and France was the surprise winner to go through to the semi-finals.
I picked England to advance from this match up, and I knew this was going to be a physical game. I thought with a few key Portuguese players sitting out on suspension, they might have a better chance. They did capitalize on that advantage, but England had a few wasted opportunities as the players at the front seemed to battle with each other. Eriksson must have delivered “We band of brothers” speech at half-time, because England came out attacking full-force in the second half. It was very sad to see Beckham limp off the field, and see him on the bench in tears. It was also sad when Rooney was sent off with a red card for a push on Ronaldo after a foul on another player. The foul resulted in a misplaced boot, but there was pushing and shoving by the Portuguese on either side of Rooney too. Figo can head butt an opposing player and only receive a yellow card, but Rooney gets sent off. That just sucks. And the dramatics of the Portuguese rubs me the wrong way. Their play-acting is annoying as hell. Writhing in agony on the field one moment, and then up and running moments later. Carvalho and Ronaldo are particularly adept at this, which is a shame.
The idea of going to penalty kicks made me sick in the stomach, since England’s has lost on pks before. I could barely watch. I kept hoping Lampard would be able to score a goal in this World Cup. I felt so bad for him when Ricardo stopped his pk. But at least he wasn’t the only won who got a pk stopped. Hargreaves had a good game though, and I was glad he scored on his pk. It was touching to watch Beckham go around and comfort his comrades at the end of the match. This match was the first surprise of the day.
I fully expected France to be dominated by Brazil the entire match long. Again, I underestimated the French defence. And the French offense. The Brazilians are another team that is adept at securing free kicks due to supposed fouls. Like the second half dive by Ronaldo that resulted in Thuram getting a yellow card. Thuram didn’t touch him. Arrgh. I just hate that kind of play. And I hope FIFA reviews the videos and fines Ronaldo for that stunt. The last few minutes were exciting as both sides had some good chances, and France was the surprise winner to go through to the semi-finals.
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