World Cup 2006 - Page 14

jacobson00 · 07-12-2006, 04:13 PM

oh well, he said/he said. he sait/he did. at least thanks to them, soccer has become more popular in the USA.

Google · Sponsored Links

CCL · 07-13-2006, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobson00

oh well, he said/he said. he sait/he did. at least thanks to them, soccer has become more popular in the USA.

Hmm...I wonder.
I was watching Leno and he was doing some fake Jeopardy thing. The answer was "Absolute Zero" and the correct question was "What is the average score in a World Cup soccer game?" If anything, the fact that so many games were determined by final shootouts was what I found most irritating about the Cup. I've read that FIFA is concerned about the (extreme) lack of scoring that took place and was looking into possible solutions for future tournaments.

QuinntheEskimo · 07-13-2006, 02:21 PM

the Diving and the fake injuries resulting in penalty kicks imo should be a FIFA top priority. in a sport played at the highest level- the margin between the top teams is so miniscule that a dive being rewarded with a penalty kick is absolutely harsh.

if FIFA wanted to increase scoring they would slightly alter the offsides rule.

Re: Zidane: there is absolutely nothing that Materazzi could have said that warranted Zidane's actions. Zidane is a PROFESSIONAL, he's been playing soccer all his life- insults, banter, obscenities are a fact of life on the playing field- and he's most certainly had to deal with it his entire playing career. Again, in a sport where the margin between the top teams is so minuscule- you're looking for any advantage (mentally or physically) that can be had. Actions Speak Louder Then Words... if Zidane wanted to get Materazzi back, he should have stuck around a few minutes longer to shove another PK into the back of the net.

misskitty · 07-13-2006, 04:41 PM

Another he said, he said.

I do not accept Zidane's apology. Specifically because he admits he has absolutely NO REGRET and then suggests it was a higher power that let what happen happen.

Zidane is not giving details, because no matter what was said, he KNOWS he was in the wrong. Zidane is doing what he needs to do, only so that he can continue on with endorsements or whatever he chooses. I don't think as a professional that Zidane's comment that Maerazzi should bear the same blame is proper in any way.

Grow up. It's professional sport. Ever heard of "sticks and stones"?

------------------------------

Zidane Apologizes for Violent Conduct During World Cup Final

PARIS (AP) - An apology, but no regrets and no detailed explanation on what set him off.

French football team midfielder and captain Zinedine Zidane gives an interview on French television channel Canal Plus to explain his version of the World Cup final headbutt and the nature of the slur hurled at him before the incident by Italian player Marco Materazzi, July 12 in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris. (AFP/Getty)

That's where French soccer star Zinedine Zidane left things Wednesday during widely broadcast television interviews that attempted to decipher his ugly head-butting of an Italian opponent during the World Cup final.

He did say he was spurred by cruel insults to his mother and sister. But the exact exchange between France's captain and Marco Materazzi remains a mystery. Zidane never was specific about what enraged him. So, for the moment, the words stay between them.

"I would rather have taken a punch in the jaw than have heard that," he told the Canal-Plus television network, stressing that Materazzi's language was "very harsh," and that he uttered the insults several times.

In his first public comments since Sunday's match, Zidane repeatedly apologized to fans - especially to children. But he said he didn't regret the abrupt, violent outburst that marked the end of his illustrious 18-year professional career.

"I tell myself that if things happened this way, it's because somewhere up there it was decided that way," the 34-year-old midfielder said in an interview on TF1 television. "And I don't regret anything that happened, I accept it."

Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy went on to win in a penalty shootout with Zidane in the locker room.

The act of aggression marred the end of the World Cup, with many warning it would tarnish the legacy of Zidane, who retired after the tournament.

Wednesday, he stressed he felt no regret "because that would mean (Materazzi) was right to say all that."

"There was a serious provocation," Zidane said. "My act is not forgivable. But they must also punish the true guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes."

For days, sports fans around the world have been riveted by the question: What could Materazzi have said to set Zidane off in the last few moments of his illustrious, 18-year career? Media from Brazil to Britain hired lip readers to try to figure it out, then came up with different answers.

Materazzi has acknowledged he insulted Zidane, without giving specifics. At nearly the same moment Zidane was on TV, excerpts from a Materazzi interview were posted on an Italian paper's Web site. He denied insulting Zidane's mother.

"I didn't say anything to him about racism, religion or politics," Materazzi told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15, and even now I still get emotional talking about her."Zidane "has always been my hero," Materazzi said. "I admire him a lot."

Materazzi spoke to Zidane in Italian. Zidane, who played several years for Juventus in Turin, speaks Italian.

Despite the head-butt, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball award for best player at the World Cup - though FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested Zidane could be stripped of the honour.

"The winner of the award is not decided by FIFA, but by an international commission of journalists," Blatter said in Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "That said, FIFA's executive committee has the right, and the duty, to intervene when faced with behaviour contrary to the ethics of the sport."

FIFA's disciplinary committee opened an inquiry Tuesday into Zidane's behaviour. His red card was not unusual: Zidane was sent off 14 times in his career at the club and international level.

Despite his temper, Zidane is better known for his sportsmanship and dancer-like technique. He is a national hero for the French and a symbol of a young, multicultural France. Born to Algerian immigrants, Zidane grew up playing on concrete in an impoverished neighbourhood of Marseille.

President Jacques Chirac has had only kind words for Zidane since the match - reassuring him that France still "admires and loves him." Many in France already have pardoned Zidane: A poll published Tuesday in Le Parisien newspaper showed 61 per cent of the 802 people questioned forgave Zidane.

Zidane said many people have asked him not to retire, but he said he would not change his mind.

"I won't go back on it, at least I hope so. ... It's definitive," he said.

Zidane told TF1 television he was "going to rest, and then move on to something else."

http://channels.aol.ca/sports/articl...13091209990001

#1RealityTVFan · 07-22-2006, 09:58 PM

BRAZIL IS STILL MY FAVORITE TEAM!!!!
I can't wait for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!!!
I'm going there!!!

07-13-2006, 04:41 PM	#134
misskitty waiting for snow Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kittyville Posts: 7,447 Blog Entries: 3	Another he said, he said. I do not accept Zidane's apology. Specifically because he admits he has absolutely NO REGRET and then suggests it was a higher power that let what happen happen. Zidane is not giving details, because no matter what was said, he KNOWS he was in the wrong. Zidane is doing what he needs to do, only so that he can continue on with endorsements or whatever he chooses. I don't think as a professional that Zidane's comment that Maerazzi should bear the same blame is proper in any way. Grow up. It's professional sport. Ever heard of "sticks and stones"? ------------------------------ Zidane Apologizes for Violent Conduct During World Cup Final PARIS (AP) - An apology, but no regrets and no detailed explanation on what set him off. French football team midfielder and captain Zinedine Zidane gives an interview on French television channel Canal Plus to explain his version of the World Cup final headbutt and the nature of the slur hurled at him before the incident by Italian player Marco Materazzi, July 12 in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris. (AFP/Getty) That's where French soccer star Zinedine Zidane left things Wednesday during widely broadcast television interviews that attempted to decipher his ugly head-butting of an Italian opponent during the World Cup final. He did say he was spurred by cruel insults to his mother and sister. But the exact exchange between France's captain and Marco Materazzi remains a mystery. Zidane never was specific about what enraged him. So, for the moment, the words stay between them. "I would rather have taken a punch in the jaw than have heard that," he told the Canal-Plus television network, stressing that Materazzi's language was "very harsh," and that he uttered the insults several times. In his first public comments since Sunday's match, Zidane repeatedly apologized to fans - especially to children. But he said he didn't regret the abrupt, violent outburst that marked the end of his illustrious 18-year professional career. "I tell myself that if things happened this way, it's because somewhere up there it was decided that way," the 34-year-old midfielder said in an interview on TF1 television. "And I don't regret anything that happened, I accept it." Zidane and Materazzi exchanged words after Italy broke up a French attack in extra-time. Seconds later, Zidane lowered his head and rammed Materazzi in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Zidane was sent off, reducing France to 10 men. Italy went on to win in a penalty shootout with Zidane in the locker room. The act of aggression marred the end of the World Cup, with many warning it would tarnish the legacy of Zidane, who retired after the tournament. Wednesday, he stressed he felt no regret "because that would mean (Materazzi) was right to say all that." "There was a serious provocation," Zidane said. "My act is not forgivable. But they must also punish the true guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes." For days, sports fans around the world have been riveted by the question: What could Materazzi have said to set Zidane off in the last few moments of his illustrious, 18-year career? Media from Brazil to Britain hired lip readers to try to figure it out, then came up with different answers. Materazzi has acknowledged he insulted Zidane, without giving specifics. At nearly the same moment Zidane was on TV, excerpts from a Materazzi interview were posted on an Italian paper's Web site. He denied insulting Zidane's mother. "I didn't say anything to him about racism, religion or politics," Materazzi told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I didn't talk about his mother, either. I lost my mother when I was 15, and even now I still get emotional talking about her."Zidane "has always been my hero," Materazzi said. "I admire him a lot." Materazzi spoke to Zidane in Italian. Zidane, who played several years for Juventus in Turin, speaks Italian. Despite the head-butt, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball award for best player at the World Cup - though FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested Zidane could be stripped of the honour. "The winner of the award is not decided by FIFA, but by an international commission of journalists," Blatter said in Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "That said, FIFA's executive committee has the right, and the duty, to intervene when faced with behaviour contrary to the ethics of the sport." FIFA's disciplinary committee opened an inquiry Tuesday into Zidane's behaviour. His red card was not unusual: Zidane was sent off 14 times in his career at the club and international level. Despite his temper, Zidane is better known for his sportsmanship and dancer-like technique. He is a national hero for the French and a symbol of a young, multicultural France. Born to Algerian immigrants, Zidane grew up playing on concrete in an impoverished neighbourhood of Marseille. President Jacques Chirac has had only kind words for Zidane since the match - reassuring him that France still "admires and loves him." Many in France already have pardoned Zidane: A poll published Tuesday in Le Parisien newspaper showed 61 per cent of the 802 people questioned forgave Zidane. Zidane said many people have asked him not to retire, but he said he would not change his mind. "I won't go back on it, at least I hope so. ... It's definitive," he said. Zidane told TF1 television he was "going to rest, and then move on to something else." http://channels.aol.ca/sports/articl...13091209990001 __________________ Live simply ~ Love generously~ Care deeply~ Speak kindly

07-12-2006, 04:13 PM	#131
jacobson00 FORT Fogey Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,934	oh well, he said/he said. he sait/he did. at least thanks to them, soccer has become more popular in the USA.

07-13-2006, 02:21 PM	#133
QuinntheEskimo C'mon Without Cmon Within Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my red VW Microbus Age: 39 Posts: 1,510	the Diving and the fake injuries resulting in penalty kicks imo should be a FIFA top priority. in a sport played at the highest level- the margin between the top teams is so miniscule that a dive being rewarded with a penalty kick is absolutely harsh. if FIFA wanted to increase scoring they would slightly alter the offsides rule. Re: Zidane: there is absolutely nothing that Materazzi could have said that warranted Zidane's actions. Zidane is a PROFESSIONAL, he's been playing soccer all his life- insults, banter, obscenities are a fact of life on the playing field- and he's most certainly had to deal with it his entire playing career. Again, in a sport where the margin between the top teams is so minuscule- you're looking for any advantage (mentally or physically) that can be had. Actions Speak Louder Then Words... if Zidane wanted to get Materazzi back, he should have stuck around a few minutes longer to shove another PK into the back of the net.

07-22-2006, 09:58 PM	#135
#1RealityTVFan FORT Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hollywood, California Age: 23 Posts: 140	BRAZIL IS STILL MY FAVORITE TEAM!!!! I can't wait for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa!!! I'm going there!!!