**Spoiler if you have taped the World Cup Final**

**Beemer** · 10th July 2006, 14:49

Excellent game, could have gone either way at any point but I was hoping Zidane would be in the winning side in his last world class game. I didn't catch what stopped play in the first place, but that headbutt to the chest of the Italian player was definitely not called for - from what I could see, he was just standing there and the next thing he was flat on his back!

I'd been impressed with Zidane's performances up until that point but I was really shocked that a player of his calibre would resort to a dirty trick like that. A red card was the only thing the referee could do under the circumstances and France seemed to lose their momentum after that.

As for the hollywoods - my god, I hope an acting talent scout was watching! Some of the players (the Italians were better at it than anyone else!) took a dive when the opposing players were about 10 feet away from them. They should run through the footage and award points for best technique when taking a self-inflicted dive!

**Lou Girardin** · 10th July 2006, 15:21

Originally Posted by Big Dave

But who is really interested?

Several hundred million, if not billions, I'd say. It's a big world away from the Antipodes.

**Maha** · 10th July 2006, 15:31

Penalty shootout is no way to decide who is world champion in soccer/football, all that proves is who is the better goalkeeper......

's

**The_Dover** · 10th July 2006, 15:45

Neither of the goalkeepers made a save.

It only proved that some wanker cant even hit the target from 12 yards out.

**skelstar** · 10th July 2006, 15:49

The Fifa World Cup has been a bit of a paradox for me.

One hand I enjoy an exciting game of rugby and appreciate the regular intervals at which points are scored to help me understand how a teams worth can be measured. On this basis I get frustrated as all hell when theres so many 0-0 draws in the football games.

On the other-hand...its one of the most popular sports in the world (Volleyball played more apparently). I can't fully condemn a spectator-activity thats so widely appreciated (aside from religion/politics/Britney Spears/Jerry Bruckheimer movies). I take a great deal of comfort in participating in a global phoenominon (sp?)...

Only a naive person could say 'no-one cares'.

**Zed** · 10th July 2006, 16:05

Twas the first and only game i've watched this world cup, and the first watched in many years too. To sum it up for me I saw sloppy skills from both sides throughout the game, got sick of the players repeatedly falling over invisible rope and playing their hollywood games wasting time, appreciated the ref keeping continuity and being strict, found the shootout exciting, and got caught up in the euphoric atmosphere watching it on a big screen!

I was supporting Italy, only cos my half Italian mate was there sitting next to me.

**Lou Girardin** · 10th July 2006, 17:00

Originally Posted by Zed

I was supporting Italy, only cos my half Italian mate was there sitting next to me.

Holding a knife.

**RantyDave** · 10th July 2006, 17:19

Originally Posted by The_Dover

It only proved that some wanker cant even hit the target from 12 yards out.

Some French wanker. You forgot the important bit.

Aside: Perhaps it would all be a bit more interesting if they moved the penalty spot back a few yards?

Dave

**Pillick** · 10th July 2006, 18:09

What would make things interesting is if the refs were given baseball bats - anyone who fakes an injury gets given one for real....

Does anyone do 5-a-side soccer, like rugby 7s? That would be cool...

**The_Dover** · 10th July 2006, 18:15

When I lived in the UK I used to like football. Mind you my team are a lower league club who had a couple of glory years in the Premiership.

After watching this World Cup I have decided I can barely stomach the game anymore. Bunch of fucking overpaid drama queens.

And now I'm starting to sound like my dad.

**Milky** · 10th July 2006, 18:27

Originally Posted by Pillick

What would make things interesting is if the refs were given baseball bats - anyone who fakes an injury gets given one for real....

Does anyone do 5-a-side soccer, like rugby 7s? That would be cool...

I play 6 a side indoor and 7 a side outdoor usually - much more fun than the full game I think, as there is more chance to try stuff like they show on the joga bonito videos. There is likely to be a world cup in those types of games too...

Dover - I am getting the same way... This world cup there have been more bad games marred by diving and horrible refereeing than those supporting the 'beautiful game' moniker

**Big Dave** · 10th July 2006, 18:27

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Several hundred million, if not billions, I'd say. It's a big world away from the Antipodes.

Yeah but they don't have NRL! Poor sods.

**Big Dave** · 10th July 2006, 18:31

Originally Posted by The_Dover

When I lived in the UK I used to like football. Mind you my team are a lower league club who had a couple of glory years in the Premiership.

After watching this World Cup I have decided I can barely stomach the game anymore. Bunch of fucking overpaid drama queens.

And now I'm starting to sound like my dad.

It's a cumulative effect. I used to love it too - but now the way they carry on and do shit like ripping their shirts off and shadow boxing the corner posts - I think they act like wankers and have just tuned it out now.

And good on the eyeties - anyway it's only football not like it's actually important.

**Big Dave** · 10th July 2006, 19:01

Originally Posted by Pillick

What would make things interesting is if the refs were given baseball bats - anyone who fakes an injury gets given one for real....
.

Good idea - Hippie has devised a game of 'violent cricket' that has merit too.

**The_Dover** · 10th July 2006, 19:09

I have a great way to liven up cricket.

Make the ball an explosive device with a random timer in it. Anywhere between 10 mins and 4 hours, or something.

No fucker would want to hold on to it so it would really speed the game up.

As for football, just bring back some of the lower league style to the game, or more traditional players. I don't give a crap about the tarts that can stepover and shimmy and all that shit. Let's have some blood and thunder.

I blame the europeans, all those italian, french and portugese homo's. Rooney should have been given a free kick not a card, and Zidane should have just had his hand shaken. Sort the men from the boys, you wanna cry we'll give you something to cry about.