Four years of Italians gloating? Noooooooooo!

What was he thinking? That was so disappointing.

Gotta disagree with you on the Portuguese, though. Was thrilled to see them lose. Worst bunch of floppers I've ever seen. Someone needs to shatter one of Cristiano Ronaldo's shins to really give him something to cry about. During the third place match, near the end of the first half, he was making a run outside the box. Didn't get touched, but went flying...looking at the ref the whole way. Started to clutch his leg, but when he realized he wasn't going to get the call, gave up on that and started whining. Kid's got skills, but I developed an intense disdain for his game during the Cup.

Liza, I love you, but the thought of Portugal winning the Cup makes me ill. Their histrionics and flopping and diving was beyond the pale, and did great disservice to the game. C.Ronaldo is a great player--why the hell can he not just play and quit looking for the chance to have his opponents carded?
The game yesterday was fantastic. And the Italian goalie, Buffon, has been incredible throughout the tournament. Not to take away from the French goalie, but he looked shaky in the early games, and it was clear that his defense felt it necessary to stand on the line with him to prevent goals.
That having been said, I would have loved for the French to win. To show the world that age and skills would overcome youthful exuberance. But the Italians played a good game, and they had bad luck--hitting the crossbar, the offsides goal. Neither goalie looked particularly strong during PKs, and my heart broke for Trezegay when it became clear that it was his miss that had tipped the score.
But, I am going to go read the French newspapers to try to figure out what went through Zidane's head. My father said he was sure he saw the Italian player threaten Zidane, but I didn't see it on the replay, so the only thing I can assume is that something beyond the pale was said.
And as for my beloved England. Well, they're in disarray. Rooney still trying to argue that he didn't step on the player's testicles, Beckham in disgrace, Erikkson gone (thank God). Michael Owen with months of ACL reconstruction surgery and recovery ahead of him.

It wouldn't be international football if the English weren't in disarray.

Beckham did have one of the prettiest goals of the event.

I'm still in mourning after die Oranje's loss. What the hell was van Basten thinking leaving Kuyt (who was AWFUL whenever he was on the pitch this WC) in the match with van Nistelrooy on the bench for 90 minutes. We're never gonna get that damn trophy.

... a different way to use the brain ...

Zinedine Zidane still has not given his awaited press conference in which he will state his side of the story. Wether it is accepted by some or by all as a legitimate excuse for his actions, or wether he will ask for an apology from his fans and the international football world due to his reaction towards Materazzi is still to be seen. Materazzi, for those of you new to this culture called football (or soccer as it is known in the US), it is known even by his own teammates and followers as a troublemaker. Materazzi is an instigator whose weapon of choice is his big mouth and his insults. Somebody might say right around now that if that is the case with Materazzi and that his character is known to the whole football world, then Zisou should have not paid any attention to what was said and simply walk away. People who normally say so have never found themselves on such a situation where over an exchange of words people are insulted and disrespected in such way that anger takes over reason quicker than a blink of an eye. It is easier to say Zidane should have walked away from the insult that Materazzi gave him. And yes, it was an insult of such magnitude that Materazzi admitted to having insulted Zisou but he would not disclose what he actually said. Materazzi is right for saying that he is an ignorant man, but definetly not dumb enough to trip twice over the same stone. It is true that Zidane is an example and an inspiration to millions of young kids around the world and his actions will be questioned even after his retirement from professional football. But Zidane have showed the whole world that he is just a human being like everyone else and as humans we are bound to err. A great human being is the one who not only admits he made a mistake, but also that he learns from it and shares that lesson with others. Materazzi is a victim of his own ignorance and hopefully this disgraceful incident will open his eyes to realize that he needs to put himself on check. Before closing I want to make it clear that by no means I am condoning violence of any type on or off the playing field. Zisou was a victim of Materazzi's ignorance as well as a victim of his own humanity. It is claimed to have been said by the one man whom I know as Jesus the son of Mary, that he who is free of guilt may throw the first stone. Let us not overlook the fact that the press still elected Zisou as the best player of this World Cup. My full respect goes to Zinedine Zidane, our beloved Zisou, the greatest football player of all times.