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Ali L

BTW, when Zidane did his interview on this week, I was wondering why he was wearing his jacket like that. Did he suffer a dislocated shoulder in the game ? Around the 85th minute it looked like he was going to leave the game because of his shoulder.

Another look at why america does not like futbol

&

http://www.sportsfilter.com/comments.cfm/3501

WRITEN ONE DAY *BEFORE* THE FINAL

La Castellane bred them tough. A scout at one of Zidane's games in his early teens had concerns about the boy's apparent placidity. The concerns grew when he saw the young Zidane scythed down in a vicious tackle and fail to respond in any way other than standing up and brushing himself down to permit the game to go on.

As the game progressed the scout was bemused to see Zidane stroll slowly across the width of the pitch, locate his assailant, place a hand on each of his shoulders and stretch him out with a headbutt.

Growing up, Zizou was interested in two things: football and judo. Football first, judo some way behind.

The rest is history and headlines. Marcello Lippi, who manages Italy tomorrow night, brought Zidane to Juventus, where he was an integral part of the revolution whereby Lippi had brought the moribund old club back to life.

The Italians have always admired Zidane's quiet leadership, and at the 1998 World Cup, Cesar Maldini, the Italian manager, noted he would give "five players to have Zizou in my squad".

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Zidane's displays in the latter rounds are fondly remembered. But what is often forgotten is his ugly foul on Al Shahrani, the Saudi Arabian on whom he stamped on in the first-round game, bringing a two-match suspension on himself. Zidane said afterwards the Saudi captain had made a slur against the Kabyles, the Muslim nomads of North Africa from whom Zidane is descended.

Whatever the motivation, Zidane's retribution almost cost France dearly. The next game for France was unimportant, but the second-round game with Paraguay was different and the French struggled, needing an extra-time goal from Laurent Blanc to squeeze through.

That temperament, especially in games where his desire is great, has proven to be his one hint of an Achilles heel. Back in 2000 he was sent off in successive Champions League games for Juventus. The second red was for headbutting the Hamburg player Jochen Kientz after a bad tackle. Some things never change.

Regardless of what tomorrow night brings, his legend will be intact. What France achieved in 1998 was sufficient to ensure that. The follow-on two years later ensured Zidane would be remembered as one of the greatest players ever.

French NT owes a lot to it's players of African ancestory. One just has to watch "le foot" on TV5 to see it's contribution. Let's not deny this.

So what! What is the point there? That you had no colonies?
The only thing that is denied is their right to be French and to play for the NT. Nobody makes such a big deal of American and Canadian Black athletes at the Olympic. It's the usual double-standard.
I know I keep repeating myself but the French have been a mix for a long long time . They have borders with 5 countries from northern to southern Europe unlike any other European countries in the variety of cultures. There aren't very many Gaulois left.. When I was a kid in the early 60s we had 2 Italian families on the street : Torti and Poretta and then Jovanovic and Tokonvic who I believe were probably Yougoslav and there were more that I forgot And that was a small cul-de-sac.. Oh yeah there was also a Spaniard refugee from the Spanish civil war. There were lots of Portuguese and Poles also in the neighborhood.
Nobody said anything when it comes to white players: Platini,Pires, Djorkaeff, Giuly, Malbranque, Lizarazu, Genghini just to name a few whose ancestors are from somewhere else. Only the dark skinned ones.

I was wondering why he was wearing his jacket like that.

I wondered the same thing especially since he wore it the same for his interviews with both Canal+ and TF1. I think you're right: his shoulder must be fucked up, Thanks to Cannavaro.
And by the I maintain that Cannavaro's block on Henry early in the game was purposeful and deserved a yellow card. You can even see him lift his shoulder towrds Henry's face. Watch it again.

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Zidane's displays in the latter rounds are fondly remembered. But what is often forgotten is his ugly foul on Al Shahrani, the Saudi Arabian on whom he stamped on in the first-round game, bringing a two-match suspension on himself. Zidane said afterwards the Saudi captain had made a slur against the Kabyles, the Muslim nomads of North Africa from whom Zidane is descended.

First that foul on the Saudi was not that ugly. I stil have the game on tape, he didn't stamp his foot but rather dragged it. It could have been accidental.
Second I seriously doubt Zidane would understand Saudi arabic.
Third, the guy who wrote this is a clown. Kabyles live in the Djurdjura mountain of the Atlas range. They are NOT and have never been Nomads at least not since before Roman time. Also they are Muslims but also Christians and a lot of them Nothing. They're also big wine drinkers and will speak Berber or French but rarely Arabic except for those living in the big cities.
BTW the Touaregs, the blue men, are the only Berbers that are Nomadic and they live in the Sahara desert in Algeria Mali and Niger.

This seems like a made-up article pretending to be talking about Zidane's alleged violence before the final game.

Good try!

Platini & Genghini: Italian

Djorkaeff: ? Algerian or Tunisian, perhaps ?

Giuly: Baltic ?

Malbranque: that sounds French, no ?

Lizarazu: isn't that a French surname ?

Pires: obviously Portugese as there are a lot in Paris

his shoulder must be f**k up, Thanks to Cannavaro.
And by the I maintain that Cannavaro's block on Henry early in the game was purposeful and deserved a yellow card. You can even see him lift his shoulder towrds Henry's face. Watch it again

What are you talking about ? Truthfully I do not recall the incident ZZ got injured. I do remember when he was on the ground favouring his shoulder but I don't recall the world feed showing *HOW* it happened.

As for Henry's injury, don't lie. It was clear as day Henry had his head down when he ran into the Berlin Wall (Cannavaro

The only hack that I admit was VERY deliberate was Zambrotta's early in the game (on Malouda, I think). He's my favourite player and I have no problems admitting he did this on purpose. The game was just underway and he wanted to hinder his 1v1 battle, no doubt about it. You see, I am not as biased as most fans are. The referee was 100% correct in giving Zambrotta a card.

Nothing was made of when France were setting up their wall and Sagnol and Ribery were purposely kicking the ankles of Camoranesi. Or how about the time back in 1998 when Guivarc'h purposely elbowed Cannavaro in the face and he had to return with a face mask. The French are no angels themselves.

And do you recall when a French player was down and Henry didn't stop playing ? His shot weakly went to Buffon. Buffon went over and put his arm around Henry's shoulders and shared a smile with him, to which Henry (who's face was facing the camera) said: "ma va fan culo" (fuk off)

Did you see how Buffon handled it ? No headbutt. He just kept smiling

The French were a lot more nervous than Italy on Sunday. Did you see Ribery's face during the anthems ? I thought he was going to have a stroke.

The Future

but there is no doubt the future of the French NT is very bright. They had a pretty good Euro U-21 tournament and after the first few games were the favourites to win it.

Djorkaeff: Armenian. His dad was French captain in the early 60s and ended-up coach of Armenia for a while. Actually in 98 there was a player who came in many time as a sub whose name was Boghossian, I believe also of Armenian descent.

Giuly is Corsican originally. I still can't believe he was not called. In 04-05 he was second best score for Barca.

Malbranque: Belgium; he could play for either France or Belgium

Lizarazu is French Basque.

Southern France is a mix of French, Italians, Spaniards, North-Africans, Corsicans, Basques and Catalans and more recently Black Africans. And with all that they are the most racists among the French. Must be their Italian and Spanish blood.

Of course I know Alain Boghassian. He played for Sampdoria and Parma for many years. Well rated player for sure.

11 of the 22 WC-winning team of 1998 played in Italy.

bah, Yes. Of course Djorkaeff is of Armenian background. I knew that one but just forgot.

What are you talking about ? Truthfully I do not recall the incident ZZ got injured

If I remember well Cannavaro jumped over him to head the ball and landed on top of him.

And do you recall when a French player was down and Henry didn't stop playing ?

Oh yeah, and Buffoon trying to tell him that and Henry is like Fuck you it's a French player, I do what I like. It's not a rule to start with but you don't have to stop if it's one of your player, it's your choice.
And remember when the French kicked the ball out for an Italian player then they gave it back but threw it out as a throw-in a couple yards of the French corner spot. Man that pissed me off!

bien sur !!

of course !! Do you expect them to give it to them at midfield ? Italy played very correct with this all tournament.

Either you're fair-play or not. That was not.

I got to go. There is a crisis in the middle-east, I got to see if I can get to have a few Lebanese chicks stay at my place.

hehehe...

BS.

I have heard the ref himself talk about the Red Crad to Zidane in '98 as he is a well knon commentator in Mexico. There was talk too because another Mexican ref carded his ass thsi time around. Face it, Zidane is a sociopath!

Check out his funnies

http://blogs.smh.com.au/mashup/archives//005184.html

Palo

I have heard the ref himself talk about the Red Crad to Zidane in '98 as he is a well knon commentator in Mexico. There was talk too because another Mexican ref carded his ass thsi time around.

So you along with every other Mexicano hate his ass. Ouhh! I might lose some sleep on that one!!
I don't care what you heard some idiot say. I saw it a few times.

Thanks Brasilian. That was fun.
I came across this post on that board:



Sport is a significant part of Aussie identity and we learn from our champions. If young males are looking for leadership and looking up to sporting superstars what better role model than Zidane? He showed what it is to be a man not a metro-sexual girly man, not calm in circumstances where a man should not be calm but decisive and a man when he had to be. He was challenged. The "man" (if you can call him that) that challenged him showed no spine, and continues with his denial over what was said.

* Posted by: Aristotle at July 15, 2006 12:25 AM

LOL

I love it. It looks like the Aussie's are still a little sore that they couldn't eat a 10-man Italy team fo ran hour. Boo-fuking-hoo. Go watch the AFL and Rugby.

I read that blog brasilian post. One guy admitted to not knowing Australia were in the WC until AFTER the Japan win, LOL.

Zidane showed that he is thug. A hero to fellow losers from Algeria and France. The entire African team that represents France are a disgrace to football.

Forza French Rioters -- burn that sh!thole

HE,he..

Just came back from 3 weeks vacation on Island Hvar, Croatia. Vino, prosciutto, cheese, sun, sea...... Marvellous...

About WC - Italy deserved to win of course. They were better than France and better than Germany. Surely, some people argue about that PK against Australia and all the Italo-diving through the tournament , but hey, everybody cheats and if you're master of cheaters than you get the prize. It's just the question of in which direction the game of football goes. I've found this WC much worse than the previous ones. Fewer goals, enormous amount of diving, shirt-pulling and dirty tricks. The future of football is black.

About Zidane. I'm not a big fan of Zidane and I think he did a very stupid thing. But I understand him as a human. I remember years when Pabs was pulling my dick on CNN board. If I met him at that time (maybe not now) I would kick his ass vigorously. If you get insulted on the pitch 24/7/365 than sometimes the lid goes off. And the primitive Materazzi was just at hand. It's a pity that ZZ didn't headbutt him better. It was a lousy headbutt not worthy a descent headbutter... ZZ should take some lessons from Figo.

Well I wouldn't say that the Azzurri did a whole lot of cheating and/or diving in this tournament.

As a matter of fact, I would say they did very little. Just look at the semi-final against Germany as an example.

Let's say that they deserved to win and that their road to the final was not that difficult. If they didn't win it this time around, they probably would have never won it again.

Eusebitch = retard

(sorry to all the retards out there)

Pramzan - so .. penaly kick against Australia was well deserved??? That was not a dive? And Totti's diving in semifinals??

Talking about bias.....


Papsy - you're a son of a gipsy whore who sells her ass to a truck drivers for 10 (canadian) dollars. But hey, legally you're a human being and you can not be exterminated like your relatives rats, cockroaches etc. So you're safe so far....

Whooooo

I got 99.3m

After reading all that I am fully awake! LOL (Although I have not slept since midday sunday.)

Eusebio - The PK against Australia was not as cut and dry as you think.

I have to be honest and say that I would not have bitched had the ref not given it, but he did.

You mean to tell me that you can not understand a referee awarding a PK there?

I repeat: it could have went either way and the ref awarded it, period.

Did Grosso dive? I would say he embellished the foul which is par for the course. But that's not the reason why the penalty was given.

Totti dove in the semi-final? Hmm. Not sure about that one. How about Ballack? Let me say that if Ballack thinks he can play that way in England, they will send him home.

You really think that the semi-final against Germany was riddled with diving??? Why was it considered one of the best fair play matches of the World Cup?

You talk about bias then why did many here on these boards believe that the PK against Australia was not only justified but also very obvious?

Eusebio

When I first saw the play (Italia-Australia) I thought it was dive. The ref was standing 2 meters away with a clear view. When I saw the replay I understood why the ref called it. But I would've also understood had the ref not called it. It could've went either way.

Your beef should be with the ref and not with Grosso embelishing the foul. Embelishing tackles is part of every good player's game.

Totti dove against Germany? I'm sure he did as well as many other German and Italian players. You make it sound like it was a one sided affair and it wasn't.

Pramzan & Casati

1. I don't know about your football experience but Grosso's performance was a clear dive. Afterall the defender didn't even touch his leg before or after tackling off the ball. It was clear dive, clean as a whistle. I've spoken to more than 20 people and all agreed it was a dive. If that wasn't dive i don't know what dive is.

2. I said Italy won and Italy deserved the title. Germans were unlucky and less talented, French were simply not good enough that night. And Italian diving was not the worst. The worst divers were clearly Portuguese with Ronaldo on the top. But they didn't win the title, did they?

3. Like I said, if you dive, you have to do it good. Bad diving results in yellow card. germans dove too, but they are not master divers. Yet.

4. I didn't have a horse to bet on on this WC. Especially after Croatia went out. So, I can not be burdened by bias. I'm just trying to say that this WC was ruined by players who were faking and referees who didn't notice it. How many REALLY good games do you remember? 2? 3? 4? ... out of 64.....

Congrats to Italia for their win !!!

Too bad Italia had to play Australia, Ukraine and Germany instead of Spain & Brazil & Portugal it could have been the best way to show the best football of this WC.
Italia didn't play better than France in the final, it was 50/50

there is rumors on some blogs from Marseille that some gangsters from "les quartiers nord de Marseille" are about to put a contract on Marerazzi's butt.....to be followed


see you in september for France-Italie at Stade de France !!!

The history of France playing Ukraine does not suggest that France would have destroyed Ukraine...

who's talking about destroying mighty Ukraine ?

Ukraine = ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

That means that Italy should be given appropriate credit for what they did.

Ukraine is a boring team to watch and Italy didn't "destroy" us 3-nil.

capito Einstein ?

I was having this discussion about the Grosso play this weekend at a cup tournament. One guy was at the match and he was saying that Grosso could have just stepped over the Australian defender. First, where is the duty to step over a player? And if Grosso had to go through and step over the guy, is there less chance that he could have kept control of the ball? So did not the Australian player impede his progress? Grosso pushed the ball to his right and tried to follow the path of the ball. Problem was the defender was parked in front of him like a log. He also lifted his body and arm into Grosso's path. There was contact. And that contact prevented Grosso from completing his play. But everyone fails to see the injustice in that.

France and her historical ally Scotland - ##1 and 2 respectively. Done deal. Italy and Ukraine are going to fight for the 3rd place.

tronche - "Italia didn't play better than France in the final, it was 50/50 "

No.

Italia did not play better than France and I would say France controlled most of the match.

Prazman

Va a caghar !!!

Falc. Football is a game of phisical contact. The ref is there to judge if the contact was foul or not. It was refs bad judgement on that and I can't see any reason for his PK decision. The ball was already out of Grosso's reach and he knowlingly faked the contact and thus foul. Of course, defender was in his way - that's what defenders do. Defend. Unlikely De Rossi's elbow which was in no way useful for defending purposes, LOL!

C'mmon. Give it a rest. Italia is a champion and we all aknowledge that.