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GRANDE ITALIA!!!

CAMPIONI DEL MONDO!!!

what exactly happened?

I know that Juve, Florentina, Lazio were relegated and something about refs, but what happened?

palo

read the last 20 or so messages on the archived thread. Ali has the sentences listed.

Andrea Pirlo

from the 7 games that he played in at the WC, he was named M.O.M. in 3 of them. More than any other player. Only finished 3rd in Golden Ball voting.

Palo

In an intricate scheme, Juve management influenced referee assignments and influenced refs into carding certain players a week before they would face Juve. One time Moggi locked up a referee (De Sanctis) in the the refs locker room after a match and threw away the key because he felt that the ref broke their agreement by calling a pk against Juve.

Not to mention Moggi (former Juve General Manager) and his son tried to control players to sign with Moggi Jr's player agency. If a player refused to sign with them Moggi Sr would influence other managers into not signing them or would bring down their market value so much so that the player would be forced to sign and play outside of Italia.

They are two big pieces of s-h-i-t who have literally ruined Serie A calsio for last 8-10 years. Moggi Sr got a 5 year suspension. It should've been for life.

There were similar accusations for Lazio, Fiorentina and Milan. The famous case with Milan involved the transfer of a player from Udinese to Milan with the agreement that Milan would draw their last match against a team that was fighting Udinese for the last CL spot. Now if Udinese won theirs they would be eligible for the CL. The season (2004/05) ended just as planned.

Pram

Can't wait for this season to begin. Better still I can't wait for Juve-Albinoeffe, Juve-Crotone and lets' not forget Juve-Napoli.

If I said it once, I said it a million times

What goes around, comes around. Juve got their just deserts.

Oh man. Loooks as if the penalty, or the sin fits the punishment.
Thanks for filling me in M&M. There has beena lot of talk about it in LA Spanish sports talk radio but I never imagined it was this big.

I have a feeling the same thing happens in the MFL with Televisa owning 3 teams, two of which, America and Necaxa, played the final against each other a few years back.


Good luck in Serie B, Juve and Milan.

Milan isn't going to B because Berlusconi saved them.

Only Juve, Lazio, and Fiorentina are going to B, although I kind of feel like Fiorentina might sneak out of it on appeal.

WHAT A WASTE

It has been reported that Cassano showed up to Real training camp weighing 189 pounds (86 kilos). WTF? That's heavier than me, and I'm 6'1!!

He finished dead last today in Capello's 3km run. I'm sorry...this guy may have the skill of Maradona, but he has no heart or desire. He embarassed himself at Real last season with his conditioning. Now this.

What has he done all summer? Eat ho-hos? Unreal.

Thanks Felix.

I know Falc is upset and the Juve haters can't be more full of themseleves, but no thank you on another thread name controversy. The relegation has sunk in and I'm glad Moggi is being punished (and it should have been life). I'm not too worried about the future.

Why? Every day I awaken and my favorite soccer team on earth is Champion.

BINEAZ

True. Nothing can ruin this week, not even Juve in B. Nothing compares to the joy of winning the World Cup. I never realized it until this year.

I thought the Steelers winning the Superbowl was as good as it gets. But, it paled in comparison to the joy I felt when Cannavaro lifted up that Cup.

Grande Italia!!!

Piero

how's bigsoccer these days ? I haven't checked it out.

I imagine the haters are out in full force. I hope they stew in their misery. Notice how surinami also went AWOL since Sunday ?

Donadoni's Staff

you know, before the WC started I expressed my delight at seeing Lippi have Ciro Ferrara join the team as he has a great personality, keeps guys loose and happy. What's the word about Ferrara now ?

Is Donadoni going to bring in his own people or do guys like Ferrara and Ghedin leave ?

Donadoni and Ferrara were teammates at Italia'90 so they definitely know each other very well indeed.

I guess Donadoni will be asked all these questions on Tuesday.

Italian Fans Angry With Verdicts There was anger on Italian city streets on Friday night as fans of the three clubs found guilty in Italy's match-fixing scandal reacted to the news that their teams had been relegated.

Juventus, Fiorentina and Lazio have been expelled from the top flight and will be playing next season in the second-tier Serie B, with the handicap of substantial points deductions - subject to appeal.

The verdicts climaxed one of European football's biggest-ever scandals as a sports tribunal in Rome punished three of Italy's top clubs with demotion, and docked a fourth, AC Milan, 15 points ahead of their Serie A campaign next season.

Fans of the clubs concerned were furious with the sanctions.

The biggest gathering of angry supporters was in the capital, Rome, where some 400 Lazio supporters vented their fury outside the hotel where the tribunal convened to announce its verdict.

In Turin, Juventus fans gathered in front of the club's headquarters to shout angry slogans against tribunal president Cesare Ruperto and AC Milan.

In Florence, Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli expressed 'rage' at the verdicts, while the team's fans blocked roads in the city centre.

The verdicts followed the eruption in May of a scandal caused by publication of intercepted phone conversations between former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi and Italian Football Federation officials. The phone calls discussed refereeing appointments during the 2004-05 season.

Lazio fans had begun to gather in the street outside the tribunal's hotel several hours before the decisions were announced.

Initially their chants were anti-Juventus, but things turned nastier when defence lawyers filed out of the hotel following the verdicts.

The lawyer representing former Juventus chief executive Antonio Giraudo, Luigi Chiappero, was surrounded and insulted by fans as he walked to his car.

Lazio lawyer Gian Michele Gentile was forced to remain inside the hotel by threats from the crowd.

'This is an unjust trial in the sense that Juve are the only guilty ones but - as usual - the rest of us are being made to pay for it,' one Lazio fan, Andrea Hotfield, told Reuters.

'In this country football is founded on the fans' attachment to the shirt, and the clubs, the federation and the officials all take advantage of that.

'I don't know what we're going to do next, but I don't think these will be easy days in Rome.'


European Bigwigs Already Circling Over Juventus Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United, among others, have gone into over-drive looking to make the most out of the Calciopoli verdict.

It is being speculated that all the star players are going to ask Juventus for a move away, and the Bianconeri will be unable to refuse, particularly due to the huge impact the demotion will have on their budget.

Real Madrid and Capello have the early lead, and those they are interested in include Buffon, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Emerson and Trezeguet, as well as Fiorentina's Luca Toni.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are zeroing in on Zambrotta and Thuram, in order to strengthen their defense.

The full back has also drawn the attention of Jose Mourinho, and is likely to be at the centre of a three-way tussle. Chelsea are also willing to compete with Real Madrid for Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have yet to reveal their wish-list, although Camoanesi and Trezeguet are high on it.

There has also been talk of an agreement between United and Real, which could see Nistelrooy move to Madrid, and Real pulling away from Trezeguet in return, as well as Casillas going to Old Trafford, with United dropping any interest in Buffon.

With the verdicts in the Calciopoli scandal finally having been handed out yesterday, and Juventus set to go to Serie B pending any appeals, the transfer market is expected to go wild over the next few days.

Watch this space!

My Favourite Song of 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sik6Oon3W68&search=We%20Are%20the%20Champions%20%2B%20Italia

Pabs

There were alot of haters out there, but they really didn't have much to criticize. They had to latch onto the whole Materazzi-Zidane affair and they were hoping and praying that someone they could prove Materazzi made racist comments. (They wanted fuel to attack Italia). When they didn't get it, they put their tail between their legs and went away.

Look, this was a hell of a team. When you arguably have 5 of the best players in the world at their position (Zambrotta-Fullback, Cannavaro-Centerback, Buffon-Keeper, Gattuso-Defensive Midfielder, Pirlo-Regista), there isn't much anyone can say. Any haters that were left pretty much have disappeared.

FORZA AZZURRI...CAMPIONI DEL MONDO

-------
Pabs, you bring up a good point about Ferrara. I thought of that too. I would assume Donadoni would keep him on. He is a FANTASTIC lockeroom presence. He just knows how to keep people loose and motivate them. I def want him back.

The unofficial song of the 2006 Italia team -- Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvnTVlsgmIc&search=The%20White%20Stripes%20%2B%20Italia

This was originally sung by AS roma supporters in the game against Club Brugge. Since then, roma fans have run with it and in turn, Italia fans have latched on to it. About a half-minute before the trophy was awarded when the world field is showing the outside of the Olympic Stadium, the Italy fans are singing the bass. Was even played at Circus Maximus on Monday.

Courtesy: Artist Direct

Jack White has been known to be a little fickle about how his music is used, so what did he think of these frolicking Italians turning his tune into a sports anthem?

"I am honored that the Italians have adopted this song as their own," White said. "Nothing is more beautiful than when people embrace a melody and allow it to enter the pantheon of folk music. As a songwriter it is something impossible to plan. Especially in modern times. I love that most people who are chanting it have no idea where it came from. That's folk music."

Pabs

I have to clarify something on two players I criticized before and during the WC.

1. Materazzi--I said he was a hack and a defensive liability. Those statements are both true and will be proven at Inter this year. That said...he had a GREAT world cup and he's earned my admiration for showing the guts and character he did. Fantastic job for Matrix.

2. Grosso--I never said he sucked. I said he was slow and that this was a weak spot in our defense. I still maintain that. A lot of our opponents attacks came down that right wing trying to expose his lack of speed, and thankfully, Cannavaro was usually there to clean up the mess.

Where I underestimated Grosso was his character. I always knew he had great skill on the ball and he's very smooth with his left foot. What I didn't realize is his heart and ability to rise to the occasion. I admire what he was able to do under pressure. Amazing that he was in Serie C for 5 yrs. That shows you how fcked up Italian management is.

Bah. I don't think Pirlo is the best in the world. If you refr to him as a play maker, JRR and Ronaldinho are way better. Gatusso plays with a lot of heart but I don't think he's the best either. The Beast is certainly faster and a more complete defensive midfielder. There is no question that he has a lot of heart but best in the world?Please.

Let's clarify something...

palo: Pirlo is not your classic regista that plays in the hole behind the striker(s). He plays IN FRONT of the defence.

How's that for stereotypes that Italians play "defensively". They have a converted #10 playing in such a retreated position. JRR is more the role of Totti, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Landon Donovan, this WC. Pirlo did more in attack than any of these players and he is so far back compared to them.

Besides his passes, the thing that I never really noticed about Pirlo is how composed he is. I read an article written by Walter Smith (former Scotland NT manager) who also mentioned this. Even when he is surrounded by 2 and 3 players, he keeps his composure and never seems to be under pressure. Look at the US game when every Italy player was running around with their heads cut off and losing the plot. Pirlo was the only one with a calm head and staying focused.

The only thing we didn't see from him this WC was his FK's. Almost had one against France but missed wide. Barthez probably would of had it anyways. Having said that, I'm not sure we saw any terrific FK's. Maybe Holland Vs Ivory Coast was the only one.

A lot of our opponents attacks came down that right wing trying to expose his lack of speed, and thankfully, Cannavaro was usually there to clean up the mess

Good for that, seeing as how he's a LB and not RB

I don't know. Did the much speedier Odonkor (fastest player of this WC) get the better of him ? Did DeMarcus Beasily ? Bresciano ? All these players as considered speed-demons.

As a UNIT, this team was very good defensively, and Fabio Grosso was never exposed.

Let me take this one step further. In the 1 year Fabio Grosso has played for Italy, he has done more in attack than Paolo Maldini has done in 10 years. Aside from this WC, Grosso got the goal in Glasgow last September in our qualifier. Even in the friendly here in Toronto, it was Grosso that set up Lucarelli's goal with run down the left into the box, tunnel the defender, and a square ball to Lucarelli for the goal. Look at the last 5 minutes of the France game when Grosso does well to get to the French box but he closed in. He did exceptionally well to do what he did.

When did Paolo Maldini do any of this stuff ?

Grosso looks gangly and un-cordinated but that's because his legs are too damn long. He's all legs ! But NOTHING wrong with his game.

Bravo

Valentino Rossi won todays MotoGP race in Germany and wore Materazzi's jersey during his lap of honour !

Pabs

When I say "attack from the right side" that means the offense's right side (which would be Grosso's side to cover as a left back)

Remember, Lippi didn't even start Grosso to start this WC. It took Zaccardo's gaffe to get Grosso in there. Thankfully Lippi woke up in time to fix that mess.

Odonkor gave Grosso fits in extra time of the Germany game but Lippi kept having a second man come over there to give him a hand. In fact, that happened a lot this WC. If a Robben or C. Ronaldo would have attacked him, we would have suffered even more on that side.

He does have gangly long legs, but somehow he's coordinated enough to have very good skill on the ball. I never doubted his offense and the plays he makes going forward. He's excellent at that.

In the end, Grosso's clutch offensive plays FAR outweighed his defensive liabilities and for that I'll be eternally thankful.

Re: Pirlo

Pabs is correct. The term regista doesn't mean the guy sitting behind the two strikers. That's what we call trequartista. (Ie. Totti, Ronaldihno, JRR, etc).

Pirlo plays central midfield right in front of the defense. That's the regista position (ie. Deschamps, Albertini, etc.). I just can't think of anyone better at that position right now. His vision, passing, calm on the ball, shot, are all exceptional. His weakness is the past was his motor and ball-winning abilities, but anyone who watched this WC saw that he possesses those now as well.

One other recent example

in the Switzerland friendly 10 days before the WC started, Grosso made a run down the left and made a very nice pass to Gilardino across the face of the box for the goal.

I love it. Ferrari win the French GP and Shummi and Jean Todt raise the flag. I bet you the anthem was booed

Real Madrid
Capello said that despite having the slowest time in his 3KM run he thinks that Cassano could be the "suprise of the season".

Predrag Mijatovic says that they are close to signing Cannavaro.

Zambrotta rumoured to be going to Milan.

ADP and Nedved will be staying at Juve for sure. The French-fuk Thuram says he is "not sure about playing in Serie B"

fuk him and all of France. Once and for all.

I'm back after a long weekend. The computer at home needs a new hard drive. Hopefully my colleagues will have it ready for me today.

What a great weekend. Justice was finally served.

giuve did not get Serie C but they got close to it with Serie B and -30. Everone believes that it will go down to -20 or -15.

After all these years of cheating and influencing games (this goes back to the 1997 when Parma were screwed and when Inter were screwed in 1998) giuve was finally punished for match fixing.

Casati - Yeah. I too can't wait for Albinoleffe-giuve. :o)

And I can't wait for their "derby" against Napoli. LOL!

Hey Falc, maybe we can talk about their match against Albinoleffe. You know, maybe you can give us some pre-game insight? ROTFLMAO!!!

And Falc, before I forget, nice temper tantrum. You have shown everyone here what a cry-baby you are. WAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Piero - " guess the Agnelli family isn't so powerful afterall".

You are right about that, for now.

The two brothers had tremendous influence in Europe, business-wise. On the football front, a bit less.

But make no mistake, they had tremendous influence in EVERYTHING in Italy.

But the newer, younger Agnellis do not have that power, they do not have those connections.

Italy never had a proper cleansing. Di Pietro never finished his job and I don't think you can destroy mafia in Calcio as well. Yes, you can send Juve and the rest of scum to 2nd or 3rd division but they will be back afterwards and they will continue with business as usual.

Piero

LOL. If you think other teams adjusted their game plan and went out of their way to attack on Grosso's side, then I don't know what to say about that. I just did not see such a thing.

But hey, keep knocking him.

Eusebio - Well I'm not sure about the mafia in calcio, there aren't too many southern Italalian teams in Serie A.

But you may have a point about "business as usual" returning in a few years.

I still say it is a travesty of justice that the Italians won the WC and did not buy their fans pizza!!!! LOL